Picture this — you’re walking down the market aisle, looking for bubbly water for your next cocktail night. If your store is like mine, there are dozens of options, from seltzer to club soda to sparkling water to tonic water. But it doesn’t really matter because they’re all just bubbles and water, right? While they might seem like interchangeable effervescent refreshments, there are key distinctions that set them apart, including their origins and composition. We break them down for you here so you can make a more educated decision next time you’re shopping for something fizzy.
Tonic Water
Tonic water is a carbonated beverage known for its distinctive bitter taste, often used in cocktails. Its history is intriguing, rooted in medicinal use rather than for culinary applications. Originally developed in the early 19th century, tonic water contained quinine, a compound derived from the bark of the cinchona tree. Quinine was used as a prophylactic against malaria in tropical regions, but because of its extremely bitter taste, it was mixed with water and sugar to make it more palatable for consumption. Over time, it transitioned from a medicinal tonic to a popular mixer for cocktails. One of its most iconic uses is in the classic Gin and Tonic where the bitterness of tonic water complements and enhances the botanical flavors of gin.
East Imperial plc (LON:EISB), founded in 2012, produces and markets a line of branded premium mixers that sell throughout APAC, US and EMEA. The company was founded on the philosophy of creating products defined by heritage, tradition and authenticity.
