Aaron Knoll

As Tonic Syrups become more and more part of everyday gin and tonic culture, we’re starting to see established brands expand their offerings. Jack Rudy Cocktail Co. who is among the earlier names in this area recently put out an Elderflower Tonic. Though amber/gold in hue (vivid, and quite beautiful by the way), it’s not simply elderflower; … Read more

Well folks it’s about time. What you say?  You’ve heard of this one before? Unless you’ve been living under a gin and tonic rock, you know about Fever Tree’s quite excellent line of tonic waters, in particular their Mediterranean. Supposedly, it’s designed to be the cleaner and more refreshing alternative, one that is design for … Read more

I loved Tonic Water. Almost as much as I love gin. Only almost. And for a man who loves tonic water, one of the saddest parties that I feel like I’m missing out on is the Tonic explosion of Europe, Spain in particular. A beverage which here in the states most are willing to accept … Read more

Some things strike me as just being plain “not fair.” Here in the states we have one kind of Schweppes Tonic Water for sale. Its pretty much exactly what you expect: saccharine, and sweetened with high fructose corn syrup, and overall pretty much indistinguishable from other plastic bottle tonic waters available in supermarkets across America. But … Read more

In some— no many— sense Schweppes rightfully deserves the title of “the original tonic water.” Specifically in the sense that we know today. In 1871 when Schweppes launched Schweppes Tonic Water, it was the first of its kind. The first carbonated tonic water with quinine in it. Schweppes had been bottling mineral waters since the late … Read more

In 2010 I raved about 365 Tonic Water. “Less sweet,” and “less cloying” than other supermarket brands, I was enamored by 365’s use of real sugar. So much so that I’ve included it in several top lists over the years. It has been a long time since I’ve tried it, so in 2017 I’ve decided … Read more

As if the Tonic Water party hasn’t gone on long enough, I have yet another plastic bottle tonic to review. Polar is a sweeter, high fructose corn syrup tonic that occupies that middle ground as a safe tonic water stocked in most supermarkets. It’s not as low as you can go, and it’s not the … Read more

In a rather nondescript, almost generic appearing bottle lies a tonic syrup crafted by one of the biggest names in the Virginia Cocktail scene: Todd Thrasher.  On this blog, he’s probably best known for his partnership with Alexandria, Virginia’s PX. Todd Thrasher’s syrup is available at Society Fair,a boutique food shop in Old Town Alexandria … Read more

So we reviewed the French version of Schweppes’ European tonic waters not too long ago. The difference between the two is wide: night and day. The French version uses a glucose-fructose syrup.The British version uses sugar. The British version has 150mL with a scant 22 calories.The French version boasts 54 calories for the same amount. … Read more

Diet tonic water is a funny thing to me. Firstly, considering how many good high quality tonics are out there which have calories under 50 per serving [Q Tonic, the two Indian Tonics]. The market position of a diet tonic is clear to me. It is for folks who want a sweet gin and tonic, … Read more