Here at GinGenie, we are all about flavour (well, also stopping single-use plastics t00). A GinGenie is designed to enhance the taste of your gin, but typically we mix it with tonic – and this can make up to 90% of your drink. Therefore having a tonic that enhances your gin’s flavours is essential. Some people like a strong tasting tonic; others something that is more of a backdrop to your gin’s distinct tones. Some like a soft bubble while others like a highly fizzed G&T. Whatever your preference we have tested (extensively) the tonics available on the market and have created our own Top 10 Tonics we think that will set off your drinks. Run your own GinGenie tonic test and try them all with a GinGenie and your flavour gin to discover your go-to tonic.
10. Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water
Developed by Tim Warrillow and Charles Rolls with a focus on creating high-quality mixers. Their belief is that if ¾ of your G&T is your mixer than it should be the very best. They have developed a range of quality tonic waters to complement the flavours and botanicals of your favourite gins; check out ‘The Pairing Wheel’ at Fever-Tree.com to discover the ultimate G&T pairing.
First up is the award-winning original Indian tonic water by Fever-Tree made using the highest quality quinine from the fever trees from the Democratic Republic of the Congo. This tonic pairs amazingly with all gins creating your classic G&T.
9. Luscombe Grapefruit Tonic Water
Infused with succulent pink grapefruit giving a vibrant citrus finish.
Grapefruit is one of our favourite fruits to put in our G&T’s, it gives a beautiful colour and taste. Succulent pink grapefruit and classic Indian quinine infuse natural Devon spring water in this delicate citrus tonic.
8. Schweppes 1783 Salty Lemon Tonic Water
Schweppes foray into the luxury tonic market started last year with the introduction of its 1783 brand; the date that Jacob Schweppe started to make tonics. They come in a range of flavours from light tonic, to cucumber, and floral to their mainstay crisp tonic water. However, our favourite is their salty lemon tonic water. Not for everyone, but this tonic has both citrus notes and a saline twist; ideal for martinis and when you definitely want savoury, not sweet.
7. Double Dutch Indian Tonic Water
Founded by twins Joyce and Raissa in the Netherlands, the birthplace of gin! These Double Dutch twins have ‘reinvented’ tonic a range of mixers that “enliven and enhance” the ever-growing choice of spirits. They began by brightening the top of the quinine flavour with pink grapefruit and then deepened the lower notes with a subtle hint of juniper berry to round out the angularity of quinine and lengthen the finish of the tonic, reducing the bitter after-taste to which many people object. When it comes to creating your perfect G&T, the Double Dutch twins have got you covered.
6. Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water
Created to accompany the most beautiful citrus and herbaceous gins. If like us, Bathtub Gin ranks highly in your preferred gins, it is one to try. By blending the essential oils from the flowers, fruits and herbs from around the Mediterranean shores with highest-quality quinine from the ‘fever trees’ of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, they have created a delicate, floral tonic water. Try it.
5. Fever-Tree Elderflower Tonic Water
This tonic adds a gentle floral twist to any G&T. Not to everyone’s palette, but we think it adds a je ne sais quoi to a G&T with a gentle floral undertone of elderflower. By blending the essential oils from handpicked English elderflowers with quinine of the highest quality from the ‘fever trees’ of the Democratic Republic of the Congo, they have created a delicious, floral variation of our Indian tonic water. Give it a try!
4. Luscombe Cucumber Tonic Water
Cucumber is a bit of a ‘marmite’ of tonics; some love, other hate. We love a bit of cucumber in our G&T and this tonic just doubles down on the subtle cucumber flavours. Made with Devon spring water and infused with cucumber, this tonic water and it is so refreshing!
3. Fentimans Valencian Orange Tonic Water
Fentimans’ Premium Indian Tonic Water was awarded first place by olive magazine best tonic water taste test in 2017. Their Valencian Orange Tonic Water is a flavour we love especially in the autumn season. This tonic water is made with beautifully sweet Valencia’s oranges and infused with lemongrass. A must try!
2. Double Dutch Cranberry & Ginger Tonic Water
This is one of the more unusual tonics we’ve come across but the warmth of the ginger and the sweet’n’sour of cranberry is absolutely divine. There’s nothing aggressive about our Cranberry & Ginger Tonic; instead, it’s a seductive mixer designed to pair the astringency of quinine with the perfectly balanced sweet’n’sour of cranberry, both warmly followed by ginger’s complex spiciness to linger lovingly on the palate. Blending a light summery aroma with a warm finish, this flavour was created to be the soulmate for all dark spirits. A great Autumn & winter mixer.
1. Luscombe Devon Tonic Water
Call us biased (we are from Devon after all…), but Luscombe tonic is to die for. Produced locally to us in beautiful Devon since 1975, Devon tonic water is created with soft Devon spring water with Indian quinine paired with Japanese Yuzu which contains three times the amount of Vitamin C compared to a lemon. Yuzu is not something we’ve come across often in the past but it is becoming increasingly popular as a tonic water flavouring and it works to a T!