Coffee Tonics: A Refreshing Pairing
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October afternoons have been warmer than expected, and while cozy hot drinks are always a go-to this time of year, some days call for something cool and bright. That’s where the coffee tonic comes in.
Simple to make, refreshing, and versatile, the coffee tonic combines coffee/espresso with sparkling water over ice. The bubbles lift the coffee’s natural sweetness and acidity, creating a drink that’s crisp and layered. What makes it especially fun is how you can experiment with different coffees and sparkling flavours to bring out unique notes.
An awesome customer recently suggested trying Nostalgia by Dona Maria Cristina from El Salvador in a tonic and he was absolutely onto something (a huge thank you for the inspiration and knowledge sharing!). Its peach and vanilla notes shine when paired with sparkling water. That got me thinking: what if we explored all of Mood’s coffees this way?
I love pairing the coffees with flavourless sparkling water but I must admit that the excitement of experimenting with different flavoured waters really took things over the top. It was akin to pairing coffee with food and I loved the discovery of it all.
Below are pairing ideas for each coffee in our current lineup. Do you have a favourite pairing? Let me know in the comments below!
How to Make an Espresso Tonic
Ingredients
- Ice (enough to fill your glass)
- Sparkling water of choice (see below for suggestions)
- Double shot of espresso (or a concentrated coffee/Aeropress/cold brew shot)
- Optional garnish: orange wedge, mint, or citrus peel
Method
- Fill a glass with ice.
- Pour in sparkling water, leaving room at the top.
- Pull a double shot of espresso and pour gently over the sparkling water.
- Stir lightly, add garnish if you like, and enjoy.
Pairing Mood Coffees with Sparkling Flavours
The fun part of espresso tonics is finding pairings that highlight the coffee’s personality. Here are some ideas, paired with other Canadian-owned beverage brands!
Nostalgia: El Salvador by Dona Maria Cristina
Tastes Like: Peach Cobbler, Marzipan, Vanilla Bean
Pair with: Plain sparkling water works so well here. The clean fizz lifts the peach and vanilla sweetness without overpowering them. If you're looking for a touch of sweetness, try it with Sap Sucker's Original or, for a hint of flavour, Sap Sucker The Peach One.
Aloof: Colombia by Marleyi
Tastes Like: Hot Cocoa, Glosette Raisins, Molasses
Pair with: Something wild! I am currently loving Aloof with Le Seltzer's Fig Bergamot (it really makes those Glosette raisin notes shine) and their Black Cherry one as well. The dark and subtle sweetness of these seltzers echo the chocolate and molasses notes, making for a comforting fall twist on the tonic.
Blissful: Brazil by Elzi
Tastes Like: Brown Sugar, Red Raspberry, Dark Chocolate
Pair with: Berry-flavoured sparkling water. The berry notes shine while the bubbles add brightness to the chocolate base. I am currently enjoying making this tonic with Sap Sucker's The Blackberry One.
Whimsical: Guatemala by El Guaya’B Manos de Mujer
Tastes Like: Lindor Truffle, Toasted Cashew, Grapefruit Zest
Pair with: Thirsty Buddha Sparkling Coconut Water with Grapefruit. I am in love with this combination. It takes it to another level with the coconut water.
Sassy: Honduras by Celia
Tastes Like: Sugared Almonds, Dried Apricot, Orange Creamsicle
Pair with: Orange soda or orange-flavoured sparkling water. The citrus plays beautifully with the creamsicle note, making for a playful and bright tonic. What better pairing than City Seltzer's Orange Cream?!
Mellow: Colombia Decaf by Mujeres de Berruecos
Tastes Like: Toffee, Candied Orange, Apricot Jam
Pair with: Lemon or mandarin sparkling water. The citrus highlights the candied orange and apricot sweetness, making this a perfect evening option without the caffeine. I really love Geez Louise Lemon Lavender with Mellow!
Why This Drink Works
An espresso tonic is simple but surprising. The bubbles enhance acidity, highlight fruit notes, and create a completely different experience from a hot coffee or a milk-based drink. It’s also a fun way to taste the nuances of specialty coffee, especially coffees grown by women who bring incredible care and craft to every harvest.
Whether you’re making one with Nostalgia for its peachy elegance, Blissful for its berry sweetness, or Mellow for a caffeine-free nightcap, espresso tonics are can are refreshing, versatile, and creative.