{"id":12684,"date":"2020-10-27T17:24:05","date_gmt":"2020-10-27T23:24:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/theginisin.com\/?post_type=tonicwater&p=12684"},"modified":"2020-10-27T17:24:05","modified_gmt":"2020-10-27T23:24:05","slug":"top-note-indian-tonic-water","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tonicreviews.com\/?p=12684","title":{"rendered":"Top Note Indian Tonic Water"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Mary Pellettieri\u2014 co-founder of La Pa Pavia beverages, creators of the Top Note line\u2014 began her career at<\/a> Goose Island Brewery. She then worked at Coors. So perhaps it shouldn’t be a surprise that on the label for Top Note Indian Tonic Water she borrows from the world of beer to describe it: “The IPA of tonics.”<\/p>\n

Conceptually\u00a0Top Note Indian Tonic Water is unusual. It sets out to complicate the bitter element of tonic water. While tonic water is usually defined by the quinine or cinchona element<\/a>, Top Note adds gentian root.<\/p>\n

Gentian root<\/a> is a wonderful different type of bittering agent. It has an earthy, sweet flavor. It’s also the primary bittering agent in cocktail bitters and a variety of liqueurs and amaros including Suze and Aperol just to name a couple.<\/p>\n

Tasting Notes<\/h2>\n

Top Note Indian Tonic Water has a top note of ginger and a hint of citrus. It has a much more distinctive spice-aroma than other tonic waters. I’d say it smells more like a soda.<\/p>\n

The palate is roundly sweet with an early note slightly suggestive of ginger ale\u2014 then the gentian root comes through with a creamy, palate cleansing bitterness. It’s a bit more bitter than a traditional tonic water\u2014 but\u00a0Top Note Indian Tonic Water is noticeably more complex.<\/p>\n

It’s worth saying that this is one of the first tonic waters I’ve had that could rightly said to be a soda first and a mixer second. It’s really good on its own.<\/p>\n

Top Note Indian Tonic Water and Gin<\/h2>\n

This is where I find it to be one of the more intriguing options for making a G&T. But I’ll begin with this\u2014 it’s going to be a bit more of its own thing rather than your traditional gin and tonic. If you want what you’re used to getting, stick to Fever Tree<\/a> or Schweppes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

First thing I notice in a G&T is that\u00a0Top Note Indian Tonic Water adds a note that reminds me of what happens when you add bitters to your drink. If you’re into bitters in your gin and tonic<\/a>, this drink is for you.<\/p>\n

With a good classic style gin, it starts a bit out with a hint of\u00a0Gin and Ginger Ale<\/strong>, then becomes clean and bitter. I find that the gentian root is a welcome note with many gins, especially prolonging the finish or adding balance to some loud contemporary style gins.<\/p>\n

It’s an ideal pairing for herbal, floral or spice forward gins.<\/p>\n

Overall,\u00a0Top Note Indian Tonic Water<\/h2>\n

Contemporary style gins have exploded and changed the gin market in the last ten years. And we finally have our contemporary style tonic water.<\/p>\n

Top Note Indian Tonic Water will challenge your conventions of what tonic water can be. If you are a vodka and tonic drinker\u2014 this is the perfect way to add complexity and upgrade your drink. With gin, I suggest considering the flavor. Like tonic syrups, Top Note can overpower the wrong pairing.<\/p>\n

Overall, it’s a delicious tonic water that may be the beacon of a new wave of creativity in what we mix with our spirits\u2014 and what tonic waters can be.<\/p>\n

Recommended.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n

Top Note Tonic is available online from the Top Note store<\/a>\u2014 and other gentian tonics are available from Top Note on Amazon<\/a>.<\/p>\n