Published on June 19, 2025 | Last Updated on September 20, 2025

My Top Espresso Drink For This Summer

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Okay, so I’m from Miami, and I’m no stranger to heat that can cook food by just sitting out in the sun. That being said, that means it’s even more important to stay hydrated. While I definitely drink a lot of water, I also love to have my daily dose of caffeine. After trial and error, I finally found the espresso drink that tastes great and can keep you cool this summer, whether you are at a coffee shop with friends or playing games at the beach.

The Sugar Free Vanilla Espresso Tonic

Here it is! The Sugar Free Vanilla Espresso Tonic has been my favorite summer espresso drink so far. Why? Simply because when you create the drink, it tastes like a Vanilla Coke Zero. For those who don’t like the taste of espresso, once the vanilla and tonic water blend, the espresso taste is lowered and makes the flavor really similar to a Vanilla Coke Zero.

While you can choose to use either the sugar-free or regular vanilla syrup, I chose the sugar-free version since I’m also on a workout kick and trying not to load up on sugar. Believe me, this summer I have been working out at the gym and staying consistent with my to-do list, so this drink is helping me stay on track.

Why Is This My Go-To Espresso Drink This Summer?

As an avid rock climber, I am always bouldering or climbing top rope. Since sometimes I go outside, it can be really hot. The mix of heat and the need to stay energized makes the Sugar-Free Vanilla Espresso Tonic the perfect option for my active lifestyle and is a part of my climbing essentials.

Not to mention, the summer is a great time for the outdoors, and this drink can be the perfect option for those who spend lots of time outdoors. For instance, my friends and I who are photographers will sometimes have photoshoots outdoors and spend hours trying to the the perfect shot.

Ratios For The Vanilla Espresso Tonic:

Depending on the size of your cup, the ratios may look slightly different, but the ratios below are the ones I used. Once combined, the taste resembled a Vanilla Coke Zero.

• Vanilla Syrup: 1.5 pumps for a single shot and 2 pumps for a double shot.
• Tonic Water: 5-6 oz of your choice of tonic water.
• Ice: Enough to leave enough space for your espresso when blending everything. Preferably, large ice cubes since they will melt more slowly than small ice cubes.
• Espresso: One or two shots depending on preference. Two shots will alter the taste slightly so you will need to be mindful of this when creating the drink.

How To Make A Sugar-Free Vanilla Espresso Tonic:

Step 1. Grab Your Ingredients

There are only 4 ingredients you will need for this drink besides your cup, of course. Just make sure that your cup is large enough to hold each item, and you should be fine.

• Vanilla Syrup: This is the base of the drink and can either be sugar-free or regular vanilla. I used the Torani Sugar Free Coffee Syrup, but a regular vanilla alternative is the Torani Coffee Syrup, Vanilla Flavored Syrup for Drinks.
• Ice: This can be any type of ice you prefer, so long as you have enough space in the cup you’re using to add other liquids.
• Espresso: The key component, you should choose your favorite blend of espresso to use. I really like Café Bustelo Espresso Dark Roast, but another popular option is Illy Caffe, Coffee Espresso.
• Tonic Water: I prefer just plain tonic water for this drink, but if you are feeling adventurous, then feel free to play around with the flavors. Who knows, maybe adding a citrus tonic water can enhance the flavors even more. While any tonic water will work, my favorite is Fever-Tree tonic water.

Step 2. Pull Your Espresso Shot(s)

There are a few ways to pull your espresso for this drink, whether you are using a specific espresso machine like the Breville Barista Express Espresso Machine, or my favorite, a classic stovetop moka pot. Simply pull the espresso, and you are set! I grew up with the moka pot, being from Miami, but I will say that using an espresso machine for this is just as good.

You can use one or two shots depending on how strong you want your drink to be. Just be sure that if you use two shots, then you should use a larger cup if you want to overtake the coffee flavor with the tonic water and vanilla syrup.

Step 3. Add Your Choice Of Vanilla Syrup To The Cup

While I chose to use the sugar-free version, feel free to use the regular vanilla syrup if that is your preferred version. I recommend adding 1.5 pumps for one shot and 2 pumps for two shots of espresso. The Torani Sugar Free Coffee Syrup is great because it comes with a pump for easy use. You can also free pour if that is preferred, but it can be harder to measure unless you are great at eyeballing ingredients.

Step 4. Combine Your Ingredients Together

Of course, the last step is to combine it all. The best way that I found to combine this is by first grabbing your cup and starting your espresso pull. Once you have your cup, add your desired amount of vanilla syrup. I recommend 1.5 pumps for a single shot and 2 pumps for a double shot of espresso. Next, add your tonic water to the cup with the syrup and fill it 3/4 of the way up. Next, fill the cup with your desired amount of ice. Lastly, pour your espresso shot(s) on top of everything.

This layering process allows the vanilla syrup and tonic water to blend first before being diluted by the ice or blended with the espresso. As the espresso is poured over the ice, the ice will melt slightly, and the espresso will float in a layered format for the drink. The last step is to give it a light stir to blend it all. And voila, bon appétit!

Sugar-Free Espresso Tonic FAQs