This is tonic, but make it a love letter to Portland. Rose City Tonic blends cinchona bark and quinine for a real, classically bitter tonic backbone — then layers in dried rose petals to soften the edges with that delicate, almost-perfumed character that makes the whole drink feel a little like spring. The result is a tonic that tastes like a craft cocktail before you even add the gin.
It's the secret behind a gin and tonic that actually feels romantic. Pour 1 oz over ice with 1.5 oz of gin, top with sparkling water, and watch the rose notes wake up. Stir it into vodka with a twist of lemon for a clean, aromatic mocktail. Mix it with sparkling water alone for a zero-proof spritz that makes "I'm not drinking tonight" feel like a deliberate choice rather than a sacrifice.
Tasting Notes: classic quinine bitterness, soft dried rose petal, gentle floral aroma, dry tonic finish
The Short Version: A floral craft tonic concentrate made with real cinchona bark and dried rose petals — gin and tonic with a Portland twist, or a sophisticated zero-proof spritz on its own.
Ingredients: Filtered water, cinchona bark, dried rose petals, organic cane sugar, citric acid, quinine flavor.
Perfect For: Floral cocktail enthusiasts, gin lovers, mocktail makers, Portland fans, and anyone tired of plain commercial tonic water.
Best Enjoyed In: Gin and tonics (1 oz syrup + 1.5 oz gin + 6 oz sparkling water), vodka tonics with lemon, rose tonic spritzes (1 oz + 6 oz sparkling water for a craft mocktail), or stirred into vermouth for a floral aperitif.
The Portland Syrups Promise: Ethically sourced, carefully brewed, and bottled in glass jars right here in SE Portland, Oregon.
Get Inspired
- An Update to the Classic Gin and Tonic for the home bar
- A warming Spice & Tonic Mocktail for the alcohol-free crowd
- A bittersweet Vermouth Cassis for an old-school aperitif
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does the syrup last after opening?
A: Our syrups are shelf-stable for 24 months unopened. Once opened, refrigerate and enjoy within 6 months.
Q: What's the difference between Rose City Tonic and Premium Tonic?
A: Both are craft tonic concentrates with real quinine, but they pull in different directions. Rose City Tonic leads with dried rose petals for a romantic, floral profile — a tonic that feels like a love letter to Portland (hence the name). Premium Tonic is more refined and citrus-leaning, built around lemon, jasmine, elderflower, and grapefruit peel. If you want a soft, floral gin and tonic with rose character, choose Rose City. If you want a classic, drier, citrus-forward tonic, choose Premium.
Q: How strong is the rose flavor?
A: Subtle but unmistakable. The rose is there to soften the bitterness of the cinchona bark and quinine, not to take over the drink — most people read it as "tonic with a soft floral edge" rather than "rose water." If you've had Turkish Delight or rose ice cream, this is much more restrained than that. The floral note shows up most clearly in mocktails (where there's no gin or vodka competing for attention) and gets tucked into the background in cocktails.
