Journal

What Is a Botanical Tonic?

A botanical tonic is a drink mixer made with real plant-based ingredients — herbs, roots, citrus peel, flowers, bark — rather than artificial flavorings and high-fructose corn syrup. The word "bota...

Vodka Tonic: The Simplest Cocktail Worth Making Better

The vodka tonic is the most ordered and least thought-about cocktail in most bars. Two ingredients, one minute, no technique required. It is the drink people order when they want something without ...

How Many Calories Are in a Vodka Tonic?

A standard vodka tonic made with 1.5 oz of vodka and 4 to 5 oz of regular tonic water has roughly 130 to 175 calories. The exact number depends on how much vodka you pour, how much tonic you use, a...

Rum and Tonic: The Highball That Rum Drinkers Forget About

Most rum drinkers think in two directions: tropical (daiquiris, mojitos, piña coladas) or dark and spirit-forward (old fashioneds, neat pours, dark and stormies). The rum and tonic does not fit nea...

Espresso Tonic: The Coffee Drink That Works Better Than It Should

An espresso tonic sounds like it should not work. Coffee is heavy, warm, and earthy. Tonic water is cold, effervescent, and botanical. Combining them goes against everything that feels intuitive ab...

Mezcal and Tonic: A Smoky, Botanical Highball Worth Making

Most mezcal cocktails ask you to fight the smoke. You dilute it with citrus, sweeten it into submission, or pair it with strong flavors that hold their own against it. A mezcal and tonic does the o...

Tequila and Tonic: Why It Works Better Than Most People Think

The tequila and tonic doesn't get the credit it deserves. It lives in the shadow of the Margarita, which gets all the attention, and the Gin and Tonic, which everyone already knows. But as a two-in...

Gin Spritz: How Your Gin Choice Defines the Drink

Most spritz drinks are defined by the aperitif you use. Aperol gives you bitter orange. Campari gives you bitter herbs. Lillet gives you citrusy French wine. But a gin spritz is defined by somethin...

Elderflower Spritz: The Lighter, Floral Alternative to Aperol

Elderflower is one of those flavors people discover once and immediately want in everything. Floral without being perfumey, sweet without being cloying, and refreshing in a way that works across se...

Lillet Spritz: The French Aperitif That's Lighter Than Aperol

Most people who discover Lillet discover it by accident. They're looking for something lighter than Aperol, less bitter than Campari, and end up at the wine section of a liquor store holding a brig...