Tonic water

Type

What it does

Tonic lengthens the drink and leaves a bitter-sweet finish of its own. It makes a Negroni-shaped mix colder, lighter, and slower to drink, but it's far from neutral: the quinine and the sweetness rewrite the end of the drink, especially in the long red and white serves. Too much and the original structure washes out.

In the family

Tonic and soda waters

The stretch. A lengthener opens the drink out and drops the concentration. Soda keeps it clean and thin; tonic brings sweetness and a quinine bite.

What it opens up

Classic Negroni
Gin, Campari, sweet vermouth, equal measures. The one everything else is measured against.
Americano
Campari and vermouth, no gin, lengthened with soda. Lower strength, easy before food.
White Negroni
The pale one. Still bitter and strong, drier and more herbal, no red in sight.

Bottles to compare (3)

Fever-Tree Premium Indian Tonic Water
Bottle
Schweppes Indian Tonic Water UK
Bottle
Schweppes Tonic Water US
Bottle

Mixes to compare

Mixes and reference structures that use or accept this ingredient or type.

Beefeater, Campari, Cocchi & tonic
Classic Negroni
Campari, Cocchi & tonic
Americano
Plymouth, Suze, Lillet & tonic
White Negroni

Also called

Indian tonic water
tonic