Homemade Tonic Water for the Ultimate Gin and Tonic

Ingredients

• 3 cups water
• 1/4 cup chopped cinchona bark
• 1/4 cup citric acid
• 3 limes peeled zests only
• 3 lemons peeled zests only
• 2 oranges peeled zests only
• 3 stalks lemongrass tops and bottoms trimmed and outer leaves removed then sliced into ⅛" to ¼" rounds (2.5 ounces / 71 grams)
• 4 whole allspice berries
• 3 whole green cardamom pods
• 1 tablespoon lavender
• 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt
• Rich Simple Syrup
• 3 cups natural cane sugar
• 1 1/2 cups water

Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients except rich simple syrup in a sterilized, one-quart lidded glass jar. Shake to combine. Refrigerate 72 hours, shaking occasionally, at least once per day.
2. Make rich simple syrup: dissolve 3 cups sugar in 1 ½ cups water over medium heat until sugar is completely dissolved. Allow to cool. Transfer to a container and refrigerate.
3. After 72 hours, strain tonic mixture into a large glass pitcher. Strain tonic a second time, using a coffee filter or very fine cheesecloth.
4. Whisk simple syrup into tonic until thoroughly combined.
5. Pour tonic syrup through a funnel into storage bottles and store in the refrigerator.