From the perfect pairs of Bonnie and Clyde, Batman and Robin and gin and tonic– there are some iconic duos that are just meant to be together.
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But a Mount Isa cafe has dumped gin and introduced tonic to a new partner.
Coffee.
The Xtra Mile is serving a strange mixture of espresso and tonic water, to help locals beat the heat this summer.
The “tonic espresso” is a pretty simple idea.
A shot of espresso and a bottle of tonic water is poured over ice with some lemon slices.
But the end product is surprisingly complex balance of flavours where the crisp tangy tonic gives new life to espresso.
It is a refresher and a caffeine boost all in one.
The Xtra Mile owner Katrina Gall said her coffee suppliers told her tonic espressos were a big hit in Brisbane, so she put them on the menu.
Most are apprehensive before their first sip – but the drink is proving popular for hot and thirsty locals.
“Nine out of 10 people who have tried it have loved it,” Ms Gall said.
More people are now trading their hot espressos for cold coffees as high temperatures start to bake the town this week.
Ms Gall said the cafe is already seeing shifts in customer’s habits.
“Our juice bar is always popular but it has been going crazy lately. We are making about 100 juices a day, in winter we were making about 50,” Ms Gall said.
“Our cold brews are picking up too. I am making a new batch every few days and before it was once a week or once every two weeks.”
Xtra Mile also debuted new signage this week to help people differentiate between their two shops that straddle the driveway into the Mount Isa Medical Centre.
The main room with the juice bar and kitchen has been dubbed “The Beehive” and the smaller cafe next door is now “The Honey Pot”.
“People were getting confused between the two so this makes it a bit easier.”