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Are tonic and soda water the same thing?

Tonic water and soda water are both carbonated beverages used as mixers in drinks such as non alcoholic gin and tonic. But they taste very different and are made with different ingredients. Tonic water is made with quinine, an antimalarial compound that comes from the bark of the cinchona tree. In fact, it was originally used to combat malaria in British soldiers stationed in India! Soda water, or club soda, on the other hand, is simply carbonated water. It has a fairly neutral taste, sometimes with a subtle hint of saltiness. Both tonic water and soda water are available in traditional and flavoured varieties.

What is tonic water made from?

Tonic water is carbonated water that has been infused with quinine, an ingredient that comes from the bark of the cinchona tree, which is native to Central America, and naturalised or cultivated in Indonesia, the Caribbean, and Africa. The bark is also where tonic water gets its distinctive bitter flavour from. Tonic water also contains other ingredients such as fruit acids and sugar. These days, drink makers have produced a wide range of tonics with different flavours. Brunswick Aces Spades Sapiir & Tonic, for example, pairs the bold, savoury notes of Spades Sapiir with crisp tonic water. Infused with green cardamom, native Australian lemon myrtle, and Tasmanian pepperberry.

Does tonic or soda water have more calories?

According to the Food Standards Nutrition, Health and Related Claims, a beverage must contain 80 kJ/100 mL (19KCals) or less, to be sold as low calorie. At Sans Drinks we follow these strict guidelines across our store, to help you make informed shopping choices. Since even premium soda water, like Brunswick Aces Joker Sapiir Lime Soda, is simply carbonated water, it is free from both sugar and calories. When it comes to tonic water though, the calorie and sugar content can vary dramatically between brands. To make it easy, Sans Drinks carry a range of sugar free tonic, low sugar tonic, low cal tonic water and even non alcoholic gin and tonic premix.

How much sugar is in tonic water?

The amount of sugar in tonic water can vary dramatically. Some commercial brands can contain as much as 8.6g of sugar per 100g. To make it easy for Sans Drinks customers, we use categories such as low sugar tonic and low calorie tonic. Reflecting Food Standards Australia guidelines, our Low Sugar Tonic contains no more than 2.5g of sugar per 100g. We also stock Sugar Free Tonic. 

Can tonic water replace soda water?

Tonic water and soda water have quite different flavour profiles so we don’t recommend using them interchangeably. That doesn’t mean you can’t replace the tonic in your G&T for soda water. In fact, we highly recommend trying a Brunswick Aces sodas and tonics or replacing the soda in your non alcoholic vodka, lime and soda for a refreshing bitter lemon tonic. With its distinctively bitter or citrus flavour, tonic will change the flavour of the drink you are enjoying.

How to make tonic water with sodastream?

You can make your own tonic water with a water carbonator but you will need tonic syrup. You can make your own using cinchona bark and other ingredients like citric acid or botanical, or you can purchase ready-made tonic syrup from most stores that sell Sodastream syrups. Either way, it’s as simple as mixing the syrup with water and carbonating with the Sodastream. If you make your own tonic syrup, you can make low sugar tonic, sugar free tonic or low cal tonic water

Club soda vs tonic water for cocktails?

Club soda and tonic water are both common ingredients in cocktails and mocktails. But whether you want to enjoy something simple like a non alcoholic gin and tonic, or a more elaborate mocktail such as a negroni and tonic, it’s important to understand the effect these water types will have on your drink. While soda water dilutes strong flavours and adds effervescence, tonic water will add a slightly bitter flavour.

Tonic or soda water with gin?

Whether you make a non alcoholic gin and tonic or a non alcoholic gin and soda is a matter of personal taste. While gin and tonic is a classic flavour combination, and you can find many gin and tonic premix drinks here at Sans Drinks. If you prefer a milder, less bitter, flavour, you may prefer gin and soda water.

Tonic water or club soda for mojitos?

Usually mojito mocktail recipes call for soda water, along with non-alcoholic rum, lime, mint and sugar syrup. But there are no hard and fast rules when you’re making non alcoholic cocktails.