Are tonic water and club soda the same?

While tonic water and club soda are both used to add bubbles and length to cocktails, they have very different flavor profiles. Club soda is carbonated water infused with minerals, and it is largely flavorless. Tonic water, on the other hand, is carbonated water flavored with a blend of sugar and quinine, which gives tonic water its distinctive bittersweet flavor.

What is quinine in tonic water?

Quinine is harvested from the bark of the cinchona tree. It has historically been used as an anti-malarial medication and muscle relaxer made by diluting quinine extract with water and sugar. Only trace amounts of quinine are used in tonic water given its intense bitter taste.

Drinks

Ginger-Lemon Tonic

Name: Ginger-Lemon Tonic
Total time: 3 min
Ingredients: 1/2 cup iced black tea (from 1 tea bag); 1/4 cup iced ginger tea (from 1 tea bag); 1/4 cup lemonade; 1 tablespoon Ginger Syrup; Thinly sliced lemon

4.0

(4)

2 Reviews

Tart with a touch of heat, this nonalcoholic drink is refreshing and easy to make.

By

Lucy Simon

Published on June 13, 2024

Tested by

Julia Levy

Ginger Lemon Tonic — Photo:
Linda Xiao / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christina Daley

Total Time:

3 mins

Servings:

1 drink

This refreshing drink is inspired by memories of my grandmother giving me ginger ale with a spritz of lemon as a child. The combination of warming ginger and tart lemon would soothe an upset stomach or sore throat.

Instead of sugary ginger ale, I now lean on a combination of bittersweet tonic water and spicy ginger syrup for a more balanced drink.

Tonic water contains quinine, a compound historically used to fight malaria that also works as a very subtle muscle relaxant, and in larger doses, has been used to treat night-time muscle cramping. Medicinal properties aside, well-made tonic water is utterly delicious.

This three-ingredient tart and fizzy drink is complex, incredibly refreshing, and makes for a satisfying alternative to a Gin & Tonic.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are tonic water and club soda the same?

While tonic water and club soda are both used to add bubbles and length to cocktails, they have very different flavor profiles. Club soda is carbonated water infused with minerals, and it is largely flavorless. Tonic water, on the other hand, is carbonated water flavored with a blend of sugar and quinine, which gives tonic water its distinctive bittersweet flavor.
What is quinine in tonic water?

Quinine is harvested from the bark of the cinchona tree. It has historically been used as an anti-malarial medication and muscle relaxer made by diluting quinine extract with water and sugar. Only trace amounts of quinine are used in tonic water given its intense bitter taste.

Notes from the Test Kitchen

This drink is delicious on its own but could also be easily spiked. For a gingery twist on a Gin & Tonic simply add an ounce and a half of gin, preferably something made with citrus-forward botanicals, like Monkey 47 gin.