I bought some tonic water, what is it exactly? I know it goes good with Gin?!
Answers: What is the origin of tonic water?
Tonic water (or Indian tonic water) is a carbonated soft drink flavored with quinine. However, it is not considered to be soda.
The drink gains its name from the medicinal effects of this bitter flavoring. 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.
Tonic water originally contained only carbonated water and a large amount of quinine. However, most tonic water today contains a medically insignificant amount of quinine, and is thus used for its flavor only. It is consequently less bitter, and is also usually sweetened. Some manufacturers also produce diet tonic water. In the United States, the Food and Drug Administration limits the quinine content in tonic water to 83 ppm (83 mg per liter if calculated by mass), which 0.25% to 0.50% of the concentration used in therapeutic tonic.
Tonic water is often used as a drink mixer for cocktails, especially those made with gin (for example, a gin and tonic). Tonic water with lemon or lime flavor added is known as bitter lemon or bitter lime, respectively. Such soft drinks are more popular in Europe than in the United States. Consumption of tonic water prevents mild cramps from occurring[1].
Tonic water will fluoresce under ultraviolet light, due to the presence of quinine. In fact, the sensitivity of quinine to ultraviolet light (UV) is such that it will fluoresce in direct sunlight.
Sprinkling a pinch of salt into a glass of tonic water will make the tonic water lose its bitterness, due to the bitterness-masking nature of salt.
Hey, speaking of gin, take one of those Triple Blacks, take a good swig out of it and top it off with gin. Tasty
I believe it originated in Asia, don't quote me on that though. It's just carbonated water with quinine added (originally to combat malaria). Honestly I find it nasty with or without gin.. try lemon cordial and soda water instead..
Tonic is basically Quinine water.
It was used to fend off malaria and night-time leg cramps.
Tonic water tastes like quinine, but not nearly as strong as true "Quinine water".
It's usually used with Gin, or in typically British drinks, as they used it heavily in their South Asian and African campaigns among soldiers, who brought the appreciation of the drinks home with them.
Some people like it, some don't.
Try it.. use it as a mixer with some gin and a slice of lime, and see what you think.
Douchey is correct,
Its quinine and carbonated water.
Quinine was used for treating malaria also.
It takes some getting use to.
An aquired taste ( if you will).
Try Limburger cheese if you think Quinine water is bad.
I used to drink tonic water because I found plain water or even carbonated water boring. I drank rather a lot of it for a while, but then I stopped and have not since missed it. It's supposed to contain quinine, but I don't think the stuff that is commercially available in the USA really does contain quinine any more --- that is, I think that it is just carbonated water with flavoring.