Suze & Tonic

The Suze & Tonic is a simple yet elegant two-ingredient cocktail that offers a unique alternative to the classic Gin & Tonic. It showcases the complex, bittersweet flavors of Suze, a French aperitif made from the gentian root. The liqueur's earthy, floral, and citrus notes are beautifully complemented by the quinine in the tonic water. This creates a bright, crisp, and stimulating long drink perfect for warm weather or as a pre-dinner refreshment.
Suze & Tonic

Preparation

Preparation time: 2 minutes

Preparation time
Difficulty

Drink Classification

The Suze & Tonic is categorized as a Highball, a family of mixed drinks with a spirit base and a larger volume of a non-alcoholic mixer. Due to the bitter nature of its base liqueur, it is also considered an Aperitif. This drink is typically enjoyed before a meal to stimulate the appetite.

Serving

Served cold over ice in a tall Highball or Collins glass, this is a light and sessionable drink with a low alcohol content.
Serving size
Approximately 150-200 ml / 5-7 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 5-7% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball
Glass treatment
None

Backstory

While not having a specific storied origin like many classic cocktails, the Suze & Tonic is a modern creation born from the simple "spirit and mixer" template. It gained popularity in France and across Europe as drinkers sought alternatives to the ubiquitous G&T. The drink's rise coincides with the renewed global interest in classic European aperitifs and bitter liqueurs. It represents a simple, modern way to enjoy the traditional flavor of Suze.
Origin
France, likely emerging in the late 20th or early 21st century as an easy-to-make and refreshing highball.

Suze & Tonic

The drink is most commonly known as the Suze & Tonic, a straightforward name reflecting its two key ingredients. It is sometimes shortened to Suze Tonic or abbreviated as S&T in casual settings. There are no other widely recognized names for this simple and refreshing highball.
Original name
Suze & Tonic
Alternative names
  • Suze Tonic
  • S&T

Characteristics overview

This drink offers a complex bitter and herbal flavor profile with prominent citrus notes, delivered in a light, bubbly texture. It's a highly refreshing and crisp summery highball with a clean, lingering bitter finish.
Flavor
Bitter, herbal, citrusy, earthy, floral, crisp
Aroma
Gentian, citrus peel, floral notes, slight earthiness
Taste balance
Bitter, slightly sweet
Aftertaste
Long, clean, pleasantly bitter, herbal
Fizziness
Bubbly, effervescent
Color appearance
Pale yellow, clear, translucent
Texture
Light, crisp, bubbly
Seasonality
Refreshing, summery

Flavor intensity & Experience

The flavor is defined by a pleasant bitterness and herbal complexity, with low sweetness and alcohol strength, all lifted by strong carbonation. It's a straightforward but characterful drink.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation

Ingredients

You only need two main ingredients for this drink: Suze, a French gentian liqueur, and a good quality tonic water. A lemon wedge is essential for garnish and a touch of acidity.
  • Suze50 ml / 1.75 oz
    A French gentian-based aperitif.
  • Tonic Water100-150 ml / 3.5-5 oz
    Use a chilled, high-quality tonic water.
  • Lemon Wedge1 wedge
    For garnish and a touch of citrus oil.

Ice type

  • Cubed

Mixing equipments

No special equipment is needed as the drink is built directly in the serving glass. A bar spoon is helpful for a gentle stir to combine the ingredients without losing carbonation.
  • Highball glass
  • Bar spoon

Instructions

This highball is built directly in the glass by pouring Suze over ice, topping with tonic water, and giving it a gentle stir before garnishing with lemon.
1. Fill a highball glass to the top with cubed ice.
2. Pour 50 ml (1.75 oz) of Suze over the ice.
3. Top up with 100-150 ml (3.5-5 oz) of chilled tonic water.
4. Give the drink a gentle stir with a bar spoon to combine the ingredients.
5. Garnish with a fresh lemon wedge or wheel.

Garnishing

A simple wedge or wheel of fresh lemon is the perfect garnish, adding a bright citrus aroma and a touch of acidity to balance the bitterness.
  • Lemon wedge or wheel, placed on the rim or in the glass.

Dietary Information

This drink is generally free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and soy. It is also vegan, vegetarian, gluten-free, and caffeine-free.
✓ Contains alcohol
✓ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly

Nutrition information

A relatively low-calorie cocktail, it contains around 140 kcal and 18g of sugar per serving, primarily from the tonic water and the Suze liqueur.
Calories
Averagely 130-150 kcal / 544-628 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 15-20 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 15-20 g
Sugar level

Occasions

This is an ideal pre-dinner aperitif to awaken the palate. Its refreshing nature makes it perfect for sunny afternoons, garden parties, and casual happy hours with friends.
  • Pre-dinner drink
  • Summer afternoon
  • Casual gatherings
  • Happy hour

Pairing suggestions

The bitter profile of the Suze & Tonic pairs wonderfully with salty and fatty foods. It's excellent alongside a plate of olives, salted nuts, charcuterie, or cheese, cutting through the richness and cleansing the palate. It also complements light seafood appetizers.
  • Salty snacks (olives, nuts, crisps)
  • Cured meats and charcuterie
  • Soft cheeses
  • Seafood appetizers

The Suze & Tonic: A Taste of French Bittersweet Elegance

The Suze & Tonic is a wonderfully simple and sophisticated highball that serves as a fantastic alternative to a Gin & Tonic. It highlights the unique bittersweet, earthy, and floral character of Suze, a classic French gentian liqueur. The addition of tonic water and a squeeze of lemon creates a perfectly balanced, crisp, and refreshing drink. It's an ideal aperitif for stimulating the appetite or for easy sipping on a warm day.

Similar cocktails

White Negroni

A stirred cocktail featuring gin, Suze (or another gentian liqueur), and Lillet Blanc. It's a much stronger, spirit-forward drink.

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