What are the ingredients in tonic water?
Tonic water is carbonated water with quinine for its bitter taste, plus a sweetener (sugar or high fructose corn syrup in regular, artificial sweeteners in diet), citric acid and flavorings. In the US, quinine in carbonated drinks is limited to 83 parts per million, and the label must disclose it. Read the ingredient list, because brands differ.
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In this article
What is tonic water made of?
The basic recipe is the same across most brands:
- Carbonated water: the base.
- Quinine: a bitter compound from cinchona bark that gives tonic its signature taste.
- Sweetener: sugar or high fructose corn syrup in regular tonic; sweeteners such as aspartame in diet versions.
- Citric acid and natural flavors: often citrus, to balance the bitterness.
- Preservatives: some brands add sodium benzoate or similar; check your label.
How much quinine is in tonic water?
Much less than the old medicinal tonic. The US Food and Drug Administration allows quinine as a flavor in carbonated beverages at no more than 83 parts per million (about 83 mg per liter), and the label must say it contains quinine, either in the product name or in a separate statement. In the European Union the limit is given as 100 mg per liter. Exact amounts per bottle are not usually printed, so we give no brand figures.
Why is tonic water bitter?
Because of the quinine. Quinine was once used against malaria, and in British India people mixed it with soda and sugar to hide the bitterness, which led to tonic water and to the gin and tonic. Today it is a flavoring and a cocktail mixer, not a treatment.
Regular vs diet tonic water
| Regular | Diet or light | |
|---|---|---|
| Sweetener | Sugar or corn syrup | Artificial sweeteners |
| Calories | Similar to other regular sodas | Very low |
| Taste | Sweet and bitter | More bitter, drier |
Tonic is not the same as plain soda water or club soda, which have no quinine and no sweetener.
Why does tonic water glow?
Quinine fluoresces under ultraviolet (black) light, so tonic glows blue.
Who should be careful with tonic water?
The FDA advises against using unapproved quinine products for leg cramps. Quinine can cause reactions in some people, and quinine medicines are not for people with myasthenia gravis according to their drug labeling. If you are pregnant, take medicine or have a medical condition, ask a doctor or pharmacist whether tonic water is fine for you.
People also ask
Does tonic water contain quinine?
Yes. In the US it is limited to 83 parts per million in carbonated drinks, and the label must disclose it.
Is tonic water the same as soda water?
No. Soda water is just carbonated water (sometimes with minerals); tonic adds quinine and a sweetener.
Does diet tonic water have sugar?
Diet or light tonic uses artificial sweeteners instead of sugar, but always check the nutrition label.
Sources
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