Dappled Tonic Water is a Oregon produced craft tonic water. The all women team met while working in the Portland restaurant scene and has since partnered to create a line of culinary inspired tonic waters to the market.
Dappled Citrus Tonic Water features yuzu, lemon and lime. It’s sweetened with cane sugar and uses pure quinine for its bittering. Each can is 80 calories (220 mL) and has 19g of sugar.
Tasting notes
Aroma: Bright and citrus forward with lime jumping from the glass as the can is poured. It settles into a general citrus impression, with lime still out front.
Taste: Tight bubbles, largely concentrated on the first sip. As they rapidly dissipate, the citrus emerges— at first it’s a tight burst of Yuzu zest that I find quite delightful. The Yuzu hangs on as the quinine bitterness emerges and notes of lemon zest begin to rise.
Pleasant moderate sweetness, a somewhat restrained bitterness from the quinine all usher in a finish that is not really bitter— but highlighted by an almost candied hint of lemon and lime.
I recommend pairing Dappled Citrus Tonic Water with a contrasting gin— pick something stark and juniper forward or something floral. I think the latter pairs quite nicely with the bright citrus in this tonic water.
Flavor wise, Dappled Citrus Tonic Water is a nice balance for those who want the bitterness of quinine, but a bit less of it. The citrus flavors are the star.
While the sugar content rivals most “quite sweet” tonics, I find the flavor to be nicely balanced. The bitterness is restrained, but so is the impression of sweetness. I love the complexity in the citrus and the way it mixes— overall Dappled Citrus Tonic Water is one of the best craft tonic releases in quite some time and one that I highly recommend.