Bittermilk No. 5 Charred Grapefruit Tonic with Bulls Bay Sea Salt
This is tonic with considerably more personality. Bittermilk No. 5 starts with bright lime, then layers in charred grapefruit peel, bitter cinchona bark and a touch of Bulls Bay sea salt. Charring the grapefruit pulls out deeper, bittersweet citrus notes, while the salt rounds everything out with an almost savory edge. The result is tart, bitter, lightly sweet and far more interesting than standard tonic. Pair it with a non-alcoholic gin or tequila, add bubbles and you have a genuinely sophisticated drink with very little effort.
Why We Love It
Grapefruit and tonic already belong together, but charring the peel changes the conversation. It gives the citrus a darker, slightly caramelized quality that plays beautifully against the bitterness of cinchona. Then there's the sea salt, which is subtle but clever, sharpening the citrus while softening the sweeter edges. This is exactly the sort of mixer we love for zero-proof drinks because it brings bitterness, acidity and complexity to the glass all by itself.
How to Drink Bittermilk No. 5 Charred Grapefruit Tonic
Bittermilk keeps the formula beautifully simple: equal parts No. 5, spirit and soda water over ice. For an alcohol-free version, combine 1 oz Bittermilk No. 5 with 1 oz non-alcoholic gin and 1 oz sparkling water in a tall glass filled with ice. Give it a gentle stir and finish with a lime wedge. It's equally good with a non-alcoholic blanco tequila, and you can skip the spirit altogether and add more sparkling water for a lighter bittersweet grapefruit tonic.
Cheeky & Dry Signature Serve: Build 1 oz Bittermilk No. 5, 1½ oz non-alcoholic blanco tequila and ½ oz fresh grapefruit juice over plenty of ice in a tall glass. Top with 2 oz sparkling mineral water and give it a gentle stir. Finish with a wide grapefruit peel and a tiny pinch of flaky sea salt over the top. The fresh grapefruit amplifies the charred peel, tequila gives it structure and that little hit of salt makes the citrus positively snap.
Tasting Notes
- Nose: Fresh grapefruit peel, lime and aromatic citrus
- Palate: Tart citrus, bittersweet charred grapefruit and clean quinine-like bitterness with a subtle saline edge
- Finish: Crisp, dry and lingering with grapefruit peel, gentle bitterness and sea salt
- Body: Concentrated and structured, becoming bright and refreshing when lengthened with sparkling water
Frequently Asked Questions
What does Bittermilk No. 5 Charred Grapefruit Tonic taste like?
It's bright, citrusy and distinctly bitter, with tart lime, charred grapefruit peel and cinchona bark balanced by cane sugar and a small amount of sea salt.
What makes the grapefruit "charred"?
Bittermilk peels fresh grapefruit and chars the skins before using them in the mixer. The technique brings out deeper bitter and caramelized citrus notes.
What is cinchona bark?
Cinchona bark is the traditional botanical source of quinine, the ingredient responsible for tonic water's characteristic bitterness. Bittermilk uses cinchona bark to give No. 5 its tonic-like structure.
How do I make a non-alcoholic drink with Bittermilk No. 5?
Combine equal parts Bittermilk No. 5, a non-alcoholic gin or other light spirit alternative, and sparkling water over ice. Garnish with lime or grapefruit.
Can I drink Bittermilk No. 5 without a non-alcoholic spirit?
Absolutely. Pour a little No. 5 over ice and lengthen it with sparkling water for a refreshing bittersweet grapefruit tonic.
Product Details
- Brand: Bittermilk
- Product: No. 5 Charred Grapefruit Tonic with Bulls Bay Sea Salt
- Type: Concentrated Cocktail Mixer
- Size: 17 fl oz / 502 mL
- Yield: Approximately 17 cocktails
- Made in: Charleston, South Carolina
- Ingredients: Organic Lime Juice (Water, Organic Lime Juice Concentrate), Florida Golden Cane Sugar, Charred Grapefruit Peel, Cinchona Bark, Spices, Bulls Bay Sea Salt
- Shelf Life: 18 months
