Cinchonism, or “avoiding poisoning in home tonic-making”.

This is mainly a rehash of a recent facebook post, so everyone who has seen it there should feel free to ignore it, the photos are the same (and the jokes probably will be too).

During The Great Tonic Shortage of 2013 it was known for Yangonites to arrive at a party, plonk their gin down on the shared table, but keep their cans of tonic secreted on their person, doling them out under close supervision to friends and loved ones.

It hasn’t been that bad since we’ve been here, but the inconsistent supply chain means that anything at any time can just disappear, and the local tonic is universally regarded as pretty rubbish. For all these reasons, but mainly because I like making/overly complicating things, I decided to make my own tonic syrup.

Bark pouch. From the internet.
Bark pouch. From the internet.
The bark was a little larger than I was anticipating.
The bark was a little larger than I was anticipating.
The recipe, thanks to some dear and very missed friends.
The recipe, thanks to some dear and very missed friends.
Weigh 20g of bark, break it into smaller pieces.
Weigh 20g of bark, break it into smaller pieces.
Break the bark into smaller pieces once you realise they don't fit into your grinder.
Break the bark into smaller pieces once you realise they don’t fit into your grinder.
Grinding bark. Quite a lot harder than grinding coffee.
Grinding bark. Quite a lot harder than grinding coffee.
Bark powder.
Bark powder.
Simmer with filtered water.
Simmer with filtered water.
Filter out the bark.
Filter out the bark.
And then filter out some more (this is where avoiding cinchonism comes in).
And then filter out some more (this is where avoiding cinchonism comes in).
Very bitter solution after filtering.
Very bitter solution after filtering.
Yes, that is a lot of added sugar.
Yes, that is a lot of added sugar.
Syrup after dissolving the sugar with a blender - it's better to blend rather than heat, as heating loses water to evaporation and throws off your dilution.
Syrup after dissolving the sugar with a blender – it’s better to blend rather than heat, as heating loses water to evaporation and throws off your dilution.
Syrup post settling. In the drink you mix it at about 1:7 with soda water (or if you're clever/have access to the equipment, 1:7 with filtered water and then carbonate the whole drink, gin included).
Syrup post settling.
In the drink you mix it at about 1:7 with soda water (or if you’re clever/have access to the equipment, 1:7 with filtered water and then carbonate the whole drink, gin included).
G&T with my tonic on the left, control G&T on the right. Both Esther and I preferred mine, but we're probably biased. I did wish the pink colour was more pronounced.
G&T with my tonic on the left, control G&T on the right.
Both Esther and I preferred mine, but we’re probably biased. I did wish the pink colour was more pronounced.

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