Master of Mixes Bon Vivant Tonic Syrup

Difford's Guide

Vintage: Non-vintage

Aged: Unaged

Product of: Product of United States United States

See more Quinine syrup


Bon Vivant Tonic Syrup is the brainchild of drinks industry personality, Giuseppe Gallo who worked with American Beverage Marketers to realise his dream of producing a tonic syrup which allows bartenders to create drinks using the quinine flavour profile of tonic water in a concentrated syrup.

Bon Vivant Tonic Syrup can be used as a base for homemade tonic waters or used as an ingredient to give a distinctive bittersweet flavour to cocktails. One 375ml bottle is enough to make 1 litre of tonic water (375ml Tonic syrup + 625ml water) using a 1-litre soda syphon. Or mix 1 part Tonic Syrup with 3 parts sparkling water to make tonic water.

G&T recipe
60ml / 2 oz Gin
30ml / 1oz Tonic syrup
90ml / 3oz Sparkling water or soda water

100% natural, Bon Vivant is made using natural quinine from cinchona bark sourced from the Congo and lemons from California and Argentina. "Ingredients: Water, sugar, lemon juice from concentrate (13%), acid: Citric Acid, natural flavouring, antioxidant: Sodium Metabisulphite (contains sulphites)."

The packaging also warns: "Not designed for direct consumption - contains elevated levels of quinine."

Launched April 2017.

Review and Tasting


Sampled on 21/04/2017

Appearance:

Clear, very pale straw greeny yellow.

Aroma:

Pungent quinine and faint citrus. Water (diluted 3:1) releases subtle orange blossom floral notes.

Taste:

Thick syrupy mouthfeel. Pronounced quinine bitterness and underlying sugar sweetness with strong citrus flavour and accompanying acidity. Water (diluted 3:1) does little to diminish either the bitterness or strong citrus acidity – much more pronounced than your average tonic water.

Aftertaste:

Quinine continues with long lingering mouth-puckering citrus acidity.

Overall:

Mixed in the glass, as per the suggested recipe above, produces a disappointingly flat G&T so instead be sure to first mix Tonic Syrup and carbonate in a soda syphon. Perhaps also consider mixing 4:1 rather than 3:1. Or, save yourself the faff and use standard tonic water to make a G&T with a spoon this this syrup to bolster quinine flavours. Bon Vivant Tonic Syrup is much more interesting as a cocktail ingredient – particularly in non-alcoholic cocktails.

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Product Information

Barcode UPC: 070491370500
Bottle Size: 700 ml
Closure: Screw / Stelvin cap

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