What is tonic water? Here are the top drinks with tonic water and what to know about this popular cocktail mixer.
It’s bubbly, it’s lightly sweet, and it’s the perfect mixer for cocktails and mocktails alike: tonic water! This carbonated beverage has been mixed into drinks for centuries, like the Gin and Tonic that dates from the 1850’s. It’s more than soda water, and it has an intriguing ingredient that adds nuance to the flavor. Here’s what to know about this bubbly cocktail mixer, and the best drinks with tonic water to try!
Herb-infused syrups are excellent with tonic water when you want a sweeter, floral drink. Try 1 or 2 ounces of homemade lavender syrup topped with tonic, adding a squeeze of lemon juice for brightness. Elderflower and rosemary are excellent options as well.
Club soda vs tonic water: the differences!
How is it different from club soda? What about other waters, like sparkling or seltzer? Here are the main differences:
- Tonic water is carbonated water with added quinine and sugar
- Club soda is carbonated water infused with added minerals, which give it a salty flavor
- Sparkling water / seltzer / soda water is carbonated water with no additives (opt for plain, since sometimes flavors or sugars can be added)
Read more at Club Soda vs Seltzer.
What is tonic water?
Tonic water is a carbonated water that also contains quinine and is lightly sweetened. Its flavor is bubbly, bitter, sweet and sour, making it an excellent mixer for drinks. Quinine was historically prescribed as a medicine to fight malaria, and mixing it with carbonated water and sugar helped to mask its bitter flavor. Tonic water was born! It first sold commercially in 1858.
Today, the level of quinine is much lower than historical tonic water, and is safe to consume. Classic cocktails use the stuff not only to dilute the liquor with bubbles, but to add a distinct nuance in flavor. The invention of the Gin and Tonic coincided with the availability of tonic water in the 1850’s.
What are the ingredients in tonic water? This beverage is a mixture of:
- Carbonated water
- Sugar (or high fructose corn syrup, in some major brands)
- Quinine
What’s the best brand? These days there are a lot of options. Our favorite brand is Q Tonic: it has great flavor and is sold in small cans, just enough for a few drinks. Even better, the only ingredients are quinine and agave. (We also like the Q brand for ginger beer and ginger ale.)
Everything You Need To Know About TONIC WATER! The Ultimate Guide.
FAQ
How do you make tonic water taste nice?
How do you hide the taste of tonic water?
How do you take the bitterness out of tonic water?
What makes tonic water better?
What makes a good tonic water?
Fresh lemongrass: Adds strong lemon flavor without acidity. Gentian root: A critical ingredient for tonic water and adds signature bitter flavors. Cinchona bark: A genus of flowering plants in the Rubiaceae family and adds an earthy flavor. Citric acid: A naturally occurring acid that enhances flavors and acts as a natural preservative.
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.
What can you drink with tonic water?
Another classic drink with tonic water is the the vodka tonic! Vodka melds right into the tonic water, making for a zingy, easy to drink cocktail (so beware). While it’s simple, there are a few tips on making the very best vodka tonic. Here’s how to make this two-ingredient cocktail! Want a light, bubbly cocktail starring whiskey or bourbon?
What does tonic water taste like?
Tonic water is a carbonated water that also contains quinine and is lightly sweetened. Its flavor is bubbly, bitter, sweet and sour, making it an excellent mixer for drinks. Quinine was historically prescribed as a medicine to fight malaria, and mixing it with carbonated water and sugar helped to mask its bitter flavor. Tonic water was born!