Hunts Indian Tonic Water 1980

Tonic water (or Indian tonic water) is a carbonated soft drink in which quinine is dissolved. Originally used as a prophylactic against malaria, tonic water usually now has a significantly lower quinine content and is consumed for its distinctively bitter taste. It is often used in mixed drinks, particularly the gin and tonic.

History

The drink has garnered its name from the medicinal effects of this bitter flavouring. The quinine was added to the drink as a prophylactic against malaria, since it was originally intended for consumption in tropical areas of South Asia and Africa, where that disease is endemic. The mixed drink gin and tonic originated in British colonial India when the British population would mix their medicinal quinine tonic with gin to make it more palatable.

Since 2005 there has been an increase in premium tonic water in the market place, there has also been a greater emphasis on using real quinine as opposed to quinine flavouring. These premium mixers typically cost twice or three times as much as their more generic contemporaries and are seen as another way of up-selling a drink.