Small Hand Tonic Syrup
Small Hand Foods Tonic Syrup is a meticulously crafted syrup created by Jennifer Colliau, founder of Small Hand Foods, who began the brand in 2008 while tending bar at San Francisco's legendary Slanted Door. Born from a commitment to making classic cocktails the way they were intended—using whole, natural ingredients and free of additives—this tonic syrup honors the historical tradition of quinine-based tonics that became inseparable from the Gin & Tonic. Made by finely cutting premium cinchona bark and simmering it slowly in organic cane syrup, the result is an intensely potent syrup with earthy complexity and a beautiful amber color that captures the essence of traditional tonic culture.
The flavor profile is distinctly bitter and herbal, with notes of quinine's characteristic bitterness balanced by the natural sweetness of cane syrup and warm spice undertones from the cinchona bark. This syrup puts the bartender—or home enthusiast—in control of the drinking experience. Mix ½ ounce with 2 ½ ounces of sparkling soda water in a highball glass filled with ice, add a shot of gin or your spirit of choice, and top with a fresh lemon or lime slice for a perfectly balanced Gin & Tonic. The concentration allows you to calibrate the intensity of the tonic character to your exact preference—something impossible with standard commercial tonic waters.
Perfect for the serious cocktail enthusiast, Small Hand Foods Tonic Syrup remains shelf-stable and cost-effective, delivering multiple servings from each bottle. This is bartender-quality craft in your home bar—the same syrup used by leading cocktail establishments and craft bartenders worldwide who refuse to compromise on the authenticity and purity of their drinks. Available in 8.5oz, Small Hand Foods Tonic Syrup is an essential tool for anyone who believes that the best cocktails start with the best ingredients.