The BEST tonic water

[Torcams]

A friend and I conducted a tonic water tasting this weekend which included 9 different brands.

1. Hansens
2. Schweppes
3. Whole Foods 365
4. Q Tonic
5. White Rock
6. Stirrings
7. Fentimans
8. Schweppes Indian Tonic (Holland)
9. Fever Tree

Top two in scoring were Schweppes Indian tonic (Holland) and Fentiman's tonic. Of course 2 tonics that are impossibly difficult to find!!

My previous favorite Fever-Tree was pretty low in the rankings. Hansen's which I typically badmouth, did surprisingly well.

What are your favorite tonics? Any we missed?

Full post on my blog for those interested.

 

[toucanlamp]

Pretty well the only ones you ever see in the grocery stores around here are Schweppes and Canada Dry, and honestly I can't really tell much of a difference between them. I've never really tried something more exotic or fancy.

The kind of gin and tonic that the drink originated from isn't really feasible since it require a medicinal dose of quinine which isn't very good for you. They are all limited to a very small amount, I think something like 0.25% of volume, so I'm not sure just how much anyone can do to spice up or make a "better" tonic water. It's pretty simple, just carbonated water, sugar, and a bit of quinine.

 

[delmonte]

If the one you mentioned comes from Holland, I'm betting it's made with real sugar as opposed to high fructose corn syrup like all the soft drinks made in the US. Any soft drinks made with sugar are just so much better. If there are any Mexican markets in your area, try to find Mexican coca-cola. It's ridiculously good and I'm addicted to it (regular coke grosses me out). HFCS is also much worse for you than regular sugar.

 

[Koss]

If the one you mentioned comes from Holland, I'm betting it's made with real sugar as opposed to high fructose corn syrup like all the soft drinks made in the US. Any soft drinks made with sugar are just so much better. If there are any Mexican markets in your area, try to find Mexican coca-cola. It's ridiculously good and I'm addicted to it (regular coke grosses me out). HFCS is also much worse for you than regular sugar.

Yes, Mexican Coca Cola here is sold at our major grocery too. Like walmart or Alberstons. And they come in glass bottles.

It does really taste that much better, using real sugar.

As for tonic, well it makes sense I guess. I've always really hated tonic water. I drink the bastardized version a Gin & Ginger Ale. Although when I do drink anything with Gin, it is a very rare occasion. Funny because I really enjoy gin. Mmm gin martini.

 

[SilkySmooth]

Did you test them with or without the Gin?

 

[Angus Young]

On the subject of tonic water. Does anyone know what the German equivalent is?

 

[thunderball]

No mention of Canada Dry? I'm saddened.

 

[rm71]

Schweppes Indian Tonic for me.

 

[shm]

Here in Denmark the supermarkets pretty much only got Schweppes Indian Tonic Water.

Got one right here, and looking at the label this is the content:

Ingredients
Water, sugar, carbondioxide, citric acid, natural aromas, aroma: quinine

 

[Cuttingboard]

I thought they were all the same...I normally buy whatevers on sale!

 

[Torcams]

No mention of Canada Dry? I'm saddened.

Sorry but Canada Dry didn't make the cut. I think that domestic Schweppes is so far superior that I din't bother including it. I find it sweet and cloying without enough bitterness.

 

[Torcams]

Did you test them with or without the Gin?

Will definitely be the subject of a future tasting event with the top tonic waters.

 

[sause]

On the subject of tonic water. Does anyone know what the German equivalent is?

When I was in Berlin this summer there was no problem finding tonic. It was Schweppes too.

 

[pal]

No mention of Canada Dry? I'm saddened.

I'm drinking a G&T right now, and of course with Canada Dry!

 

[Cuttingboard]

I usually buy the Harris Teeter Diet Tonic, does anyone what mass producer makes this?

 

[mr_economy]

Almost all of the readily available tonic water brands in the US are sweetened with High Fructose Corn Syrup, which is too bad.

 

[menemsha43]

I have the Q tonic. It is good although I've never done a taste test to differentiate vs. other tonics. I'm usually drinking a martini anyway.

 

[kzoo1]

Easy. It always Schweppes.

 

[falkon]

Sometime ago, I believe last summer, I picked up a 4-pack of Q-Tonic. I agree it is extremely mellow. While I did enjoy it, it is not worth the premium. However, the premium might be worth impressing a few unenlightened guest by the extremely appealing bottle that Q-tonic comes in