What Is Tonic Water, and What Makes It Different Than Seltzer or Club Soda? Marie Viljoen
The times have changed for tonic water. The classic, easy-drinking mixer, beloved for being both bubbly and bittersweet, has evolved from a couple of iconic brands to a flock of botanically curious and creative blends. Pouring a simple gin and tonic is now quite an adventure. But first, what is tonic water, and what sets it apart from seltzer or club soda?
All three are carbonated waters. Seltzer contains carbon dioxide only, which is what makes it fizz. Club soda is made with carbon dioxide, but it also includes mineral salts that give it slightly more body. And then there s tonic water, and its signature quality is its mild bitterness. To offset that and make the medicine go down (we ll explain) it also contains a sweetener. In its basic form, tonic water is a sweetened, carbonated drink containing a dash of quinine, the source of that bitterness.
The times have changed for tonic water. The classic, easy-drinking mixer, beloved for being both bubbly and bittersweet, has evolved from a couple of iconic brands to a flock of botanically curious and creative blends. Pouring a simple gin and tonic is now quite an adventure. But first, what is tonic water, and what sets it apart from seltzer or club soda?
All three are carbonated waters. Seltzer contains carbon dioxide only, which is what makes it fizz. Club soda is made with carbon dioxide, but it also includes mineral salts that give it slightly more body. And then there s tonic water, and its signature quality is its mild bitterness. To offset that and make the medicine go down (we ll explain) it also contains a sweetener. In its basic form, tonic water is a sweetened, carbonated drink containing a dash of quinine, the source of that bitterness.