Nonalcoholic Dirty Lemon Tonic

Thank you for publishing a grown up, not too sweet nonalcoholic cocktail recipe! Recipes like this make me feel like I can participate in the fun complexity of cocktail crafting, even though alcohol isn't my friend. I'm going to try this one tonight, and I'd love to see more.

Also super good with 1/2 tonic and 1/2 seltzer (which makes it a bit less sweet). This is a fabulous drink. Made a batch for a party and it was a hit. Great way to make folks feel welcome to drink alcohol or not - I left out a bottle of gin and folks could add it or not, as they desired, but everyone got a fun, beautiful, delicious drink. Truly a winner. Will be making this for years. (Note: I used Mark Bittman's recipe for quick preserved lemons because I didn't have preserved lemons on hand.)

Great recipe, would love to see MORE non-alcoholic and not-too-sweet cocktail recipes like this one.

I believe FeverTree’s low sugar tonic water would classify as perfectly dry. Not too sweet at all.

I make my own preserved lemon paste to have on hand for things like this. Used 1 tsp and muddled it with the sliced lemons. One of the best n/a cocktail recipe that I’ve tried to date. Kind of a salty lemonade.

HI A variation ; instead of preserved lemons substitute candied ginger . Need alcohol ; try rum . Candied orange rind might work well .In that case I would use a really good bourbon instead of vodka Can't resist a dash of bitters..... the one and only Angostoria. Tom Pearsall

Delicious, complex, beautiful, and not too sweet. I love seeing interesting non-alcoholic options like this! I used sugar free tonic, and thought it worked wonderfully

Delicious! And if you're an unfortunate soul like myself who's allergic to tonic/quinine, a lemon sparkling water (Limoncello La Croix was especially great) and some extra sugar (I used 2 sugar cubes) does an excellent job as well. I can only imagine how good it would taste with tonic

Thanks for this and I agree with some of the comments that we need more recipes for nonalcoholic cocktails. Try this for a great non-alcoholic mojito - fresh lime juice, fresh mint, sugar syrup (equal parts sugar and water dissolved over heat in a saucepan and cooled), soda water and ice. Those who want alcohol can add white rum.

Have been doing this for ages, without the sugar, and refreshing on a hot evening on the patio or watching the snow at -30F. The simplest, a slice of lemon among small cubes or crudely crushed ice, squeeze some fresh lemon juice over ice and add the tonic; FeverTree low sugar is the best. Even better with Tito’s to taste!

Delish! I puréed a big batch of preserved lemons, honey and lemon juice to mix with the tonic.

Having tried and disappointed with many zero proof drinks, this is a delicious relief. Easy, visually appealing, and not too sweet. I used “light” tonic, which is just reduced sugar. (Diet tonic with artificial sweetener would be gross here, imho.) Grateful to have tried this just as sundowners outside is coming into season!

You're right, Josh. One brand says its dry version contains 30% less sugar.

I've been making something like this for myself for ages, but without the sugar, and often with a splash of white vermouth. The vermouth adds some sweetness but also some welcome herbaceousness, and makes for a great only-lightly alcoholic spritz.

So delicious! I scaled back on the preserved lemons - you don't need as much as recipe says, and I chopped them into chunks - diced gives you little bits that are flying into your mouth. Chunks worked well. btw, I'm in Chicago, and the Middle Eastern Bakery in Andersonville had the preserved lemons.