The Origins of Tonic Water

Gin and tonic was and is a popular drink to order at your local bar or pub. But what exactly is tonic water? You see it on store shelves and all bars have tonic water on tap. Tonic water is a carbonated drink that has been flavored with quinine and this additive gives tonic water its distinct bitter taste. The flavoring, quinine, was originally discovered by the Quechua Indians of Peru by boiling down the bark of the Cinchona Tree (Source: www.wisegeek.com/what-is-tonic-water.htm). Tonic water was originally intended as a medicinal drink to help fight malaria in South Asia and Africa; however, the tonic water does not kill the malaria strain, it only helps elevate its symptoms. Unfortunately, today's mass produced does not have the same effects that tonic water once had to help elevate malaria symptoms.

The British began to mix the tonic water with gin, thus making it easier to drink the tonic water while stationed abroad. Thus, the British are credited with the invention of the drink Gin and Tonic (www.wikipedia.com).

According to Dr. Jim Mitterando, tonic water can also help alleviate the pain of night cramps in legs, arthritis and lupus. But as with all holistic treatments, please consult with your physician before starting any form of holistic treatment and/or care.

Tonic water today is known to be a mixer with either gin or vodka. Tonic water that has lemon added is known as "Bitter Lemon" while tonic water that has lime added is known as "Bitter Lime" and both are popular soft drinks in European countries without the addition of alcohol. Further, today's mass produced tonic water has less quinine and is sweetened, thus it is less bitter. It should be interesting to note that no matter the amount of quinine that has been added, tonic water will glow under ultraviolet light because of the fluorescent properties that are found in quinine (Source: Wise Geek).

There are differences in tonic water brands across the world. In the United States, our tonic water has less quinine and is sweetened with industrial sweeteners such as high fructose corn syrup, thus it is less bitter and has almost the same amount of sugar that a soda does; however, in the United Kingdom and Paris, they prefer a higher quinine content and less sweetener, thus their tonic water is both spicier and bitter (Source: "The Evolution of Tonic Water" by Camper English).

Such companies are following suit of those in the United Kingdom and Paris, in that they are now producing tonic water with natural sweeteners such as cane sugar. One such company is Whole Foods while other companies are specializing in just tonic water. Because of this trend, some bars no longer use tonic water from the tap, but pour from a bottle to allow the full flavor of the tonic water to be appreciated.

Gin and Tonic is one of the oldest drinks known and was invented to help get the medicine down.