Nonalcoholic Dirty Lemon Tonic Recipe (2024)

Thank you for publishing a grown up, not too sweet nonalcoholic co*cktail recipe! Recipes like this make me feel like I can participate in the fun complexity of co*cktail 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.)

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

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

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 co*cktail 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

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!

Thanks for this and I agree with some of the comments that we need more recipes for nonalcoholic co*cktails. 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.

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

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

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!

Agree with all of the positive reviews. This is a marvellous adult Mocktail. Hugely refreshing too. I used 1/2 soda water and 1/2 tonic water as someone recommended. Perfect! I am sitting in Melbourne Australia in 33C heat and feel incredibly cool!

Wow, a delicious non alcoholic drink where the alcohol is not missed at all. Five stars!

The only mocktail that has ever satisfied my dirty martini craving.

This is my go to mocktail! It's not super sweet, is fast to mix up, low carb/calorie, and feels like drinking a martini. Do yourself a favor and take the extra minute to garnish it just like in the picture… It feels so sophisticated. I love Rebeka's mocktail recipes and looking forward to new ones.

Good, but not briny enough. Will add a tsp or 2 of the preserved lemon brine next time. Used the NYT preserved lemon recipe.

This drink is PERFECT! It's so hard to find a mocktail that's not super sweet. This has all the things I like about a martini (olives, citrus) and so well balanced.

First taste some preserved lemon by itself. If you love it (like I do) you will love this non-alcoholic co*cktail. If you’re like my husband and you hate it, you would probably take a little sip and say “blech, that’s awful” after spitting it out in the kitchen sink! For myself, I love it so much, this is now my all-time favorite co*cktail with either gin, vodka, or virgin when I don’t want alcohol. This is the first non-alcoholic co*cktail I really enjoy enough to drink anytime. LOVE IT!

I love this NA co*cktail and make it all the time and do not feel deprived, quite the opposite! I use 1/2 teaspoon of sugar sometimes and like to put a small slosh of olive brine in as well. Delicious!

Incredible! If you’re a co*cktail person who enjoys a dirty martini or a gin and tonic, you’ll love this. As per other readers, if you’re looking for a sugar bomb this will not be your jam. This is one to savor.

Terrible! This recipe tasted god awful and I love a good Tom Collins or lemon co*cktail. But this one seriously missed the mark.

Just made this for my husband and me. Just delicious! Like the best of a dirty martini or a great G&T. Several people have mentioned batching it. I’d love to know how you do it, and your presentation. It’s really beautiful as made and shown.

This is an incredibly versatile recipe and one of the few drinks I have ever made that does not get watery over time. Incredible with or without alcohol!

This is a complex and refreshing drink. Savory and tangy with a touch of sweetness. I added a sprig of thyme as a garnish, which paired well with Fever Tree dry tonic. Delicious. Please keep the n/a recipes coming!

Yes! This is fantastic.Please do more mocktail recipes, this should be a regular feature. It is so refreshing to see this here!!

Loved it!