Homemade Tonic

Ingredients

  • zest and juice of 1/2 a lemon
  • zest and juice of 1/2 a lime
  • zest and juice of 1/2 an orange
  • 1/2 cup chopped lemon grass
  • 1/8 cup powdered cinchona bark**
  • 1/8 cup citric acid
  • 1/8 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 6 allspice berries
  • 10 juniper berries
  • 4 cardamon seeds
  • 2 cups water
  • 11 ounces light agave syrup

Place all ingredients except for the agave in a sauce pan and bring to a full boil. Reduce heat to low, cover, and simmer for 20 minutes.  Strain the mixture. Transfer to a glass container and add agave syrup to the warm liquid (reheat if necessary). Stir until fully combined. Allow to cool and store in the refrigerator until needed.

To serve, add to seltzer water one tablespoon at a time until desired strength is achieved. (Three tablespoons per cup strikes an ideal balance.)