Strawberry & Ginger Matcha Tonic

like sipping spring

i’ve been seeing matcha tonics everywhere lately and finally decided to make one at home. the tonic water gives it this crisp, italian spritz energy, and the strawberry ginger honey syrup makes enough for at least 5 drinks — so you can batch it once and sip all week.

it really does feel spring in a glass: sweet, earthy, fizzy. not to be dramatic, but i want to drink this while wearing linen, ignoring my phone and like… hang drying my laundry.

when it comes to simple syrups, i will avoid using refined sugar when i can. because so many simple syrups are already made with deliciously sweet fruits (i.e. strawberries) why add more? this recipe uses honey as the sweetener (but mainly the thickening agent) and some vanilla and ginger for more flavor complexity.

Strawberry Matcha Tonic

ingredients (makes 1 drink)

for the strawberry ginger honey syrup (makes 1 cup, enough for ~5 drinks):

• 1 cup chopped strawberries (about 6–8 medium, tops and all)

• 3/4 cup water

• 1/4 cup honey

• 1 thumb-sized piece fresh ginger, sliced

• 1/2tsp vanilla extract or vanilla bean powder

for the drink:

• 2 oz strawberry ginger honey syrup

• 2g matcha (about 3/4 tsp)

• 2 oz hot water (not boiling — about 175°F)

• tonic water (around 4–6 oz)

• ice

method

1. in a small saucepan, combine strawberries, water, honey, and ginger. bring to a gentle simmer and let cook for about 10–15 minutes, stirring occasionally and pressing the berries with a spoon or potato masher to break them down. strain through a fine mesh sieve, pressing down to extract all the syrup. let cool. store in the fridge for up to a week.

2. in a small bowl or mug, whisk matcha with hot water until smooth and frothy. a bamboo whisk is great here, but a milk frother or small whisk works too.

3. pour in the strawberry ginger syrup. top with tonic water (leaving room for the matcha) and fill the glass with ice. stir with a spoon until the fizziness has gone down considerably. gently pour the matcha over the back of a spoon to float it on top for that layered look. you can also whisk some cold milk into the matcha for a creamier look.

4. stir if you’d like to combine it all, or sip as-is and enjoy the flavor change as you go.