Tomr’s tonic, Cocktail Recipes, Tom Richter, Gin And Tonics, The Beagle, New York, NY, East Village, Where to drink, What To Drink, Mixers, Artisanal Cocktail Mixers, Tonic Water, Tonic Soda, where to shop, tonic syrup, quinine, liquor, liqueur, soda, where to eat, where to drink, where to shop, wine shops, liquor stores, Online Resources, Cocktail Resources, New york, Brooklyn, Queens, New York, NY, NYC, Cocktails, Bars, Restaurants, Best Bars in New York, Best Restaurants
Q & A
Who
Bartender Tom Richter is the creator of Tomr’s Handcrafted Tonic, an artisanal tonic syrup.
Why
Tomr’s Tonic is a richer, spicier tonic syrup, intended for Gin and Tonics, but also as a potable bitter.
Tomr’s Handcrafted Tonic
March 29, 2012
Tom’s Handcrafted Artisanal Elixirs - Tom Richter
Photographs courtesy of Tom Richter
Tips | Gin & Tonic
Gin & Tonic | Large Ice Cubes | London Dry Gin
Photographs courtesy: Gin & Tonic from Beefeater | Ice Cubes from Kold-Draft
Glassware
For the ultimate "Tonic and Gin" get a big glass.
Ice
Ice is very important. Use big ice cubes -- Kold-Draft or those square ice molds that are out there.
[See details.]
Gin | London Dry Style
As far as gins go... I think it is best with a London Dry style.
G & T | Recipe
In a large glass, add 1 ounce of Tomr’s Tonic, 2 ounces of your favorite London Dry Gin. Add large ice cubes, 3 ounces of seltzer and stir.
Bartender’s Recs
Fever Tree Tonic Water | Bubble Up Lemon Lime Soda | Dad’s Old Fashioned Root Beer
Find | Sodas
Tonic Water | Fever Tree
If I’m picking a pre-carbonated tonic water, it would be Fever Tree. Tonic waters and tonic syrups are completely different, and might as well be considered different beverage categories.
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Bubble-Up
Lemon-lime soda made from real cane sugar -- an alternative to 7-up, but better balanced.
Dad’s Old Fashioned Root Beer
Great root beer.
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Cocchi Americano | Suze | Liqueur de Violettes
Find | Spirits
New & Unusual Spirits
I think the trend right now to revisit and re-create historic products is really great.
Cocchi Americano
A recreation of Kina Lillet.
Suze
I can't wait for it to finally be imported.
Liqueur de Violettes
I love the new Violettes liqueur from Tempus Fugit -- liqueur made from violets.
[See details.]
Find | Cocktail Resources
Cocktail Kingdom
They have the best supply and the best equipment.
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Bartender’s Recs | New york City
Astor Wines & Spirits in Noho
Photo Credit: Find. Eat. Drink.
Find | Liquor Stores
Astor Wines & Spirits
They have the widest liquor selection.
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Il Buco | The Beagle | Vandaag
Photographs courtesy of Il Buco | The Beagle | Vandaag
Eat | Restaurants
Freemans
One of the first gastropubs and a great cocktail program.
Il Buco
One of the best Italian food experiences in NYC.
Vandaag
Dutch food , great cocktails, lots of genever and gin.
The New Empellon Cocina
Creative mexican food with very creative agave inspired cocktails.
The Beagle
Really excelling in both food and cocktails.
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Drink | Cocktails
Poet’s Dream at Lantern’s Keep | Bartender / Owner Jim Meehan at PDT | A Cocktail at Mayahuel
Photographs courtesy of Lantern’s Keep | David Engelhardt for Find. Eat. Drink. | Mayahuel
Manhattan
Midtown | Lantern's Keep
A jewel of a spot with flawless cocktails-have something "regal."
East Village | Booker And Dax
They have really interesting and delicious stuff.
East Village | Mayahuel
Great use of Mezcals and Tequilas.
East Village | PDT
They do a Tomr's Collins with my tonic.
Lower East Side | Milk and Honey
The place where the classic cocktail revolution started.
Chinatown | Apotheke
Very interesting atmosphere on a side street in Chinatown...interesting and intricate and complex cocktails.
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Maison Premiere | Ba’sik
Photographs courtesy of Maison Premiere | Ba’sik
Brooklyn
Williamsburg | Maison Premiere
For oysters and absinthe cocktails.
Williamsburg | Ba'sik
Neighborhood bar in Williamsburg with great cocktails.
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The bar at Dutch Kills in Long Island City
Photographs courtesy of Dutch Kills
Queens
Long Island City | Dutch Kills
A step back in time...and kind of a daughter of Milk and Honey.
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Q & A With Creator Tom Richter of Tomr’s Tonic
Q. Tell us about Tomr’s Tonic and why you created it:
A. Over the years, I have found that the Gin and Tonic is the most ordered cocktail. There are great gins coming out and nothing but mediocre tonic to mix with them. I wanted something better, richer, and more balanced. I searched out recipes, wasn’t happy with any particular one, but I did like qualities of each, so I began combining and this recipe just came together.
I wanted something closer to the original version of tonic. In the early 1800s, when the British were settling/invading Africa and South America, many were dying from malaria. When they got to Peru, native Peruvians had a drink made from the bark of the quin quin tree to stop fever. The British sweetened it to make it more palatable, drank it and stopped dying. They then mixed it with gin, which was also medicinal, and added citrus to guard against scurvy. I believe Tomr’s is that original tonic.
Q. In your mind, what makes a good tonic?
A. For me, everything is about balance.
Q. Why use a tonic syrup vs. regular tonic?
A. I think tonic syrup gives you more control. If you like a little richer flavor, add more syrup. If you like it a little weaker, use less. Also, as a syrup it is being used as a cocktail ingredient by the talented barfolk of New York City and beyond.
Q. What is the best way to use the tonic syrup?
A. I intended it simply for the Tonic and Gin....but it is being used as a potable bitters also. It is a richer spicier tonic so it works great in the winter, actually people do order Gin and Tonic all year, not just in the spring and summer... and there are plenty of people who drink it without alcohol.
Q. What’s next?
A. Cola syrup... it is an intricate combination of herbs and flavors and can be quite complex... that is where the fun starts.
Drink | Beer
Manhattan
Swift Hibernian Lounge
I usually drink beer when off work and they have a great selection... and I love their lamb Sandwich.
[See details.]
Cocktail Recipes
Recommendations
Details of Tom Richter’s recommendations on cocktail resources, spirits and soda as well as where to eat, drink and shop in New York City.
City Guides
- New York City | Manhattan: Download
- New York City | Brooklyn: Download
- New York City | Queens: Download
