From Gin&Tonic to Coffee&Tonic: My New Sunday Recovery Ritual
If you had asked me back in 2011 what my go-to drink was, the answer would have been easy: whisky or a cold beer. Simple, classic, effective. However, tastes evolve. In recent years, I’ve found myself gravitating toward the crisp, botanical profile of a Gin & Tonic. It’s been my perfect combination for a long time.
But last Sunday was different.
I had just finished a long run and was completely exhausted. I needed something refreshing, but it was way too early for a cocktail, and a standard G&T wasn't what my body was craving. I wanted that tonic "zing" but with a different kind of kick.
That’s when I decided to experiment with a Coffee & Tonic.
The Process
I didn't want to overcomplicate it, but I wanted it to be right:
- The Brew: I started by brewing a strong batch of coffee using my Moka Pot. The key here is patience—I let it sit until it reached room temperature so it wouldn't immediately melt the ice.
The Build: I filled a tall glass with tonic water and added a generous amount of ice.
The Pour: Here is the trick for the "pro" look—I poured the coffee very slowly directly over the ice cubes. This creates a beautiful layered effect where the dark coffee sits right on top of the clear tonic.
The Verdict
Before drinking, I made sure to get a few photos (the layers looked incredible), then gave it a good stir.
The result? Surprisingly refreshing. The bitterness of the coffee and the quinine in the tonic water complement each other perfectly. If you are looking for a post-run pick-me-up that isn't your standard iced latte, I highly recommend giving this a try.