Times have changed for tonic water. The classic, easy-drinking mixer, beloved for being both bubbly and bittersweet, is no longer the product of only a few iconic brands; now, a crop of creative blends helps you give your classic gin and tonic a modern update.
With a history that spans more than 150 years, tonic has established itself as one of the most essential ingredients on your bar, both for mixing with hard liquor and for adding flavor to mocktails. Jason Hedges, bartender and author of The Seasonal Cocktail, breaks down the ingredients, flavor profile, and best ways to use the traditional—and contemporary—versions of this drink.
Tonic water has a strong bitter and sweet flavor, while club soda has a mild, faintly salty flavor. Nutritional content: Since tonic water contains added sweeteners, like sugar or high-fructose corn syrup, and calories, it falls under the soft drink category.
What Is Tonic Water?
Tonic water is a carbonated drink, often used as a mixer for cocktails, which is best-known for the inclusion of quinine among its ingredients. Quinine is derived from the bark of Cinchona trees, which are native to Central America and naturalized or cultivated in Indonesia, the Caribbean, and Africa.
Bitter quinine, valued for its antimalarial properties, found its way into artificially effervescent water in the mid to late 18th century. After the invention of commercial carbonation in the mid-1700s, Jacob Schweppes (among others) set up a factory in London to manufacture fizzy water in the 1790s.
As malaria raged in the British Raj, whose global reach extended most famously to India, the addition of quinine in the 1870s created Schweppes “Indian Tonic Water”—a medicinal drink that was viewed as a preventative against the killer disease. It was also known as the fever tree, for quinines fever-reducing qualities. Also known as fever tree, for quinines fever-reducing qualities, Cinchona officinalis was introduced to Africa by Belgian colonists; the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) is now home to the largest commercial Cinchona forests in the world.
What Tonic Water Tastes Like
The distinctive taste of tonic water is based on the range of flavors in its ingredients, which include citric acid, sweetener—often high fructose corn syrup—carbonated water, natural flavors, and quinine. The end result, says Hedges, is a little bit sharp and a little bit sugary. “Tonic water tastes slightly bitter, with a hint of sweetness and a citrus flavor,” he says.
Everything You Need To Know About TONIC WATER! The Ultimate Guide.
FAQ
Why is my tonic water sweet?
Is tonic water sweet?
Is there a lot of sugar in tonic water?
Is tonic water an acquired taste?
Is tonic water a soft drink?
The simplest description of tonic water is a quinine-flavored carbonated soft drink. Yes, in the mixology world, tonic water is considered a soft drink. It’s usually made from carbonated water mixed with a simple syrup containing a quinine. Quinine, which is derived from cinchona bark, gives tonic water most of its characteristic bitter flavor.
Is it good to drink squeezed lime in tonic water?
When it comes to relieving the heat during the summer, tonic water works as a light and refreshing option and can be consumed on its own or with citrus fruits – with slices of lemon and orange, for example. This type of mixture is rich in vitamins, antioxidants and is very good for the health of the skin and hair.
Do all tonic water taste the same?
If you want to have more control over how bitter your cocktail is, try tonic syrups. Add a tablespoon or two along with some club soda or sparkling water for a drink that’s perfect for you. Do All Tonic Waters Taste the Same? Not too long ago, the answer would have been yes. The options were limited and they all tasted pretty much the same.
Do you use tonic water?
We use tonic water in many of our cocktail recipes, like our gin and tonic recipes. It’s a bubbly and refreshing drink made with sugar and Quinine. It’s a great mixer for mixed drinks and easy cocktails. There are several brands, including lower sugar and calories too.