Nonalcoholic Dirty Lemon Tonic

Name: Nonalcoholic Dirty Lemon Tonic
Total time: 5 min
Yield: 1 drink
Ingredients: 2 teaspoons finely chopped preserved lemon, store-bought or homemade; 5 very thinly sliced fresh lemon wheels; 1 teaspoon granulated sugar; Ice; 4 ounces dry tonic water, chilled; Slice of preserved lemon rind, green olives (such as Castelvetrano or Manzanilla) and half wheel of lemon, for garnish

By Rebekah Peppler

Published April 12, 2023

Nonalcoholic Dirty Lemon Tonic — Christopher Testani for The New York Times. Food Stylist: Simon Andrews.

Total Time: 5 minutes
Rating: 4(972)
Comments: Read comments

Preserved lemon is a kitchen workhorse that easily moves to the bar. Here, it’s muddled with sugar and fresh lemon slices to release a light bitterness, harmonizing the sweet, the saline and the acidic. It appears once more, alongside olives and more fresh slices in the edible and fragrant garnish. While you can and should use both the preserved lemon rind and pulp (the pulp adds more welcome salinity and texture), use only the rind for the garnish. And, if you’d like to make this nonalcoholic drink alcoholic, add a splash of vodka, gin or, if you’re looking to triple down on the lemon flavors, limoncello.

Featured in: There’s No One-Size-Fits-All Dirty Martini

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Ingredients

Yield:1 drink

2teaspoons finely chopped preserved lemon, store-bought or homemade
5very thinly sliced fresh lemon wheels
1teaspoon granulated sugar
Ice
4ounces dry tonic water, chilled
Slice of preserved lemon rind, green olives (such as Castelvetrano or Manzanilla) and half wheel of lemon, for garnish

Ingredient Substitution Guide

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Preparation

Step 1
In the bottom of a sturdy rocks glass, add the preserved lemon, lemon wheels and sugar. Muddle until the sugar dissolves and the lemon wheels release their juices. Add the ice to the glass and top with tonic water.
Step 2
Thread a skewer with a slice of preserved lemon rind, a few olives and a lemon half wheel; garnish.

Ratings

4 out of 5

972 user ratings

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Comments

Bree2 years ago

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.

JG2 years ago

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.)

Sharon K2 years ago

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

Lauren2 months ago

Tonic is sweet enough, so I leave out the sugar and sometimes include a dash of the olive brine or some bitters. This is better than most alcoholic cocktails I’ve had, exactly what I’ve been looking for in a mocktail.

rachel4 months ago

This was delicious! We used Mark Bittman’s quick preserved lemon recipe earlier in the day and were enjoying the NA cocktails that evening. Will certainly make again.

Jeni Price4 months ago

Made this alongside the dark n stormy cocktail for a dry January “happy hour”. I loved it! Interesting, salty, complex, and not too sweet.

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