Tonic syrups are concentrated syrups made from quinine that are commonly used to make tonic water. When diluted with soda water, tonic syrups add that distinctive bitter flavor we associate with tonic water. But with so many brands of tonic syrup on the market, how do you know which one to choose for making the best tasting tonic water?
What is Tonic Syrup?
Tonic syrup is an concentrated, syrupy liquid that contains quinine as its key ingredient. Quinine is an alkaloid extracted from the bark of the cinchona tree and is responsible for giving tonic water its unique bitter taste. In addition to quinine, tonic syrups contain sugar and water for viscosity and sweetness, along with preservatives, flavorings, and citric acid for tartness.
On its own, quinine has an extremely bitter taste that is unpalatable. By dissolving quinine into a sugary simple syrup base, tonic syrups balance out the bitterness and make it consumable. The bitterness is still present, but tempered by sweetness. This gives tonic syrups their quintessential flavor profile.
Tonic syrup was originally created as a way to easily mix quinine into carbonated water to make tonic water. By using a pre-made syrup instead of raw quinine powder, it became simple for pharmacies, bars, and households to prepare fresh tonic water.
Today, most people don’t make their own tonic water from scratch using tonic syrup. However, high-end bars and mixologists often use tonic syrups to create craft tonic waters and signature gin and tonics. Tonic syrups can also be used to add quinine flavor to cocktails, sodas, and other beverages.
Popular Brands of Tonic Syrup
There are many brands of tonic syrup on the market, from large commercial producers to artisanal makers. Some of the top tonic syrup brands include:
Jack Rudy
Jack Rudy is a premium tonic syrup brand that makes a variety of classic and flavored syrups. Their standard tonic syrup contains cane sugar and cinchona bark extract for authentic quinine flavor. They also offer unique syrups like elderflower, grapefruit jalapeño, and habanerolime.
Tomr’s
Tomr’s Handcrafted is a small-batch tonic syrup producer located in Vermont. They use fair trade organic cane sugar and Peruvian cinchona bark for their Original Tonic Syrup. Tomr’s also makes syrups with added botanicals like lavender, lemongrass, and cardamom.
Fentimans
Fentimans is a UK-based botanical brewery that produces a line of tonic syrups. Their tonic syrup is made with organic cane sugar and cinchona bark extract. Fentimans is known for quality ingredients and intense flavor.
Fever Tree
Fever-Tree is one of the largest tonic syrup producers globally. They helped spur the popularity of premium tonics and mixers. Fever-Tree’s tonic syrup gets its bitterness from natural quinine extract. It has a balanced flavor profile that isn’t too sweet.
Q Tonic
Q Tonic’s tonic syrup strives for an authentic, old-fashioned tonic flavor with a nuanced bitterness. They use Peruvian quinine and organic agave nectar for sweetness. Q Tonic syrups also have pronounced lime, lemon, and grapefruit flavors.
East Imperial
New Zealand brand East Imperial makes a range of classic and flavored tonic syrups. Their tonic syrup uses quinine from the Congo paired with organic cane sugar. Unique syrup offerings include bergamot, ginger, and old fashioned.
Abbey
Abbey Tonic Syrup is produced by Urban Moonshine, a distiller in Vermont. Their tonic syrup gets its bitterness from wormwood and gentian root rather than quinine. It uses organic maple syrup for sweetness.
What To Look for in a Tonic Syrup
With so many tonic syrup options on the market, it can get confusing trying to determine the best quality. Here are some key things to look for when evaluating a tonic syrup:
Quinine content
Quinine content is measured in parts per thousand (ppt) or parts per million (ppm). Most commercial tonic syrups have between 100-300 ppm of quinine. The higher the quinine, the more bitter the syrup. Look for a quinine content on the label to gauge the intensity of bitterness.
Sugar source
Simple syrup is the main sweetener used in tonic syrups. The source and type of sugar plays a role in the flavor. Organic cane sugar has a clean sweetness that lets the quinine shine. Agave nectar and maple syrup lend distinct flavors.
Use of natural ingredients
High-quality tonic syrups use all natural ingredients, including the quinine source. Syrups made with natural cinchona bark extract tend to taste better than those using artificial quinine.
Added citrus flavors
Many tonic syrups include lemon, lime, grapefruit, or other citrus flavors to enhance tartness. Look for tonic syrups with added citrus if you prefer a flavorful, fruity profile.
Balance of sweetness and bitterness
The ideal tonic syrup balances bitter quinine with sweet simple syrup. If a tonic syrup tastes cloyingly sweet or intensely bitter, keep looking for one with a more even flavor.
Versatile flavor
A good tonic syrup should add quinine flavor when added to sodas, cocktails, or other beverages without overpowering them. The tonic flavor should integrate harmoniously with other ingredients.
How Is Tonic Syrup Used?
Tonic syrup was originally created as a concentrate for making fresh tonic water. But it can be used for many other applications as well. Here are some of the most common uses for tonic syrup:
Making tonic water
The most direct use for tonic syrup is for homemade tonic water. Simply mix tonic syrup with soda water to taste. A ratio of 2 parts soda water to 1 part tonic syrup is a good starting point. Adjust according to your taste preferences.
Gin and tonic cocktails
Tonic syrup shines when used in gin and tonic cocktails. Add tonic syrup and gin to ice, then top with soda water. The tonic syrup adds concentrated flavor for balance with the botanicals of gin.
Non-alcoholic tonic drinks
For an appealing non-alcoholic beverage, mix tonic syrup with soda water and citrus juice, or use it to make Italian sodas. Tonic syrup can also be used in cocktails as a non-alcoholic mixer.
Enhancing sparkling waters
Add a dash of tonic syrup to plain or flavored sparkling waters for some extra zing. The quinine flavor pairs well with subtle fruit sparkling waters.
Flavored syrups
Many tonic syrup brands offer unique flavored versions, such as elderflower, grapefruit, cardamom, or lemongrass. Use these flavored tonic syrups to make specialty sodas or cocktails.
What Are the Best Tonic Syrups?
The “best” tonic syrup is subjective, depending on individual flavor preferences. However, here are some all-around top choices:
Jack Rudy Small Batch Tonic Syrup
Jack Rudy’s small batch tonic syrup is made with just 4 ingredients – water, cane sugar, cinchona bark, and citric acid. It strikes a perfect balance of flavors, with pleasant bitterness and crisp sweetness. The simplicity of ingredients results in a clean, classic tonic profile.
Fever-Tree Premium Indian Tonic Syrup
Fever-Tree’s Indian Tonic Syrup gets great reviews for its complex flavor. It uses natural quinine and has distinct citrus notes. Many bartenders prefer Fever-Tree tonic syrup for making refined gin and tonics.
Q Tonic Quinine Syrup
Q Tonic syrup uses premium ingredients like Peruvian quinine and organic agave nectar. It is less sweet than many tonic syrups and has prominent citrus flavors. Q Tonic syrup stands up well in cocktails without getting lost.
Tomr’s Tonic Syrup
For a craft tonic syrup made in small batches, Tomr’s is an excellent choice. In addition to their Original flavor, Tomr’s offers unique flavors like lavender, cardamom, and lemongrass. Their syrups use organic cane sugar and real botanical ingredients.
Fentimans Tonic Syrup
Fentimans tonic syrup is another bartending favorite, especially in the UK. It has an intense, bitter flavor derived from a high quinine content. The bold tonic profile pairs perfectly with gin’s herbal juniper taste.
How to Make Your Own Tonic Syrup
While commercial tonic syrups offer convenience and quality, you can also easily make your own tonic syrup:
Ingredients
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup white sugar
- 2-4 grams cinchona bark
- 1 tablespoon citric acid
Instructions
- Bring water to a boil, then remove from heat.
- Add cinchona bark and let steep for 15-20 minutes to extract quinine.
- Strain out the cinchona bark.
- Add sugar and citric acid. Stir continuously until sugar fully dissolves.
- Let syrup cool, then transfer to an airtight container. Store in refrigerator.
For this homemade tonic syrup, use a ratio of about 1 part syrup to 5 parts soda water when making tonic drinks. Adjust the cinchona bark amount to increase or decrease bitterness.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is quinine?
Quinine is a natural alkaloid found in the bark of the cinchona tree. It has a distinct bitter taste and has been used historically for medicinal purposes. Almost all tonic syrups use quinine as the source of bitterness.
Is tonic syrup alcoholic?
No, tonic syrup does not contain any alcohol itself. It is simply a concentrated mix of quinine, sugar, and water. Tonic syrup becomes alcoholic when mixed into cocktails containing spirits like gin.
How long does tonic syrup last?
An unopened bottle of tonic syrup will typically last 1-2 years past its printed expiration date if stored in a cool, dark place. Once opened, tonic syrup will last 3-6 months refrigerated.
Where can I buy tonic syrup?
Tonic syrup can be purchased from liquor stores, specialty drink shops, and online retailers. Top brands like Jack Rudy, Tomr’s, and Fever-Tree are widely available. Smaller artisanal brands may only be found online or directly from the producer.
Is tonic syrup gluten-free?
Most tonic syrups are naturally gluten-free, since they are made from just quinine, sugar, and water. However, always check the label to confirm the particular brand you are buying is gluten-free, especially for flavored varieties.
Conclusion
Tonic syrup is a versatile product that opens up many possibilities for creating custom tonic waters and cocktails. With its concentrated quinine flavor balanced by sweetness, it adds that necessary bitter edge with ease. Premium tonic syrups use high-quality ingredients for great flavor in any drink.
Some excellent all-around tonic syrup choices are Jack Rudy Small Batch, Fever-Tree Indian Tonic, Q Tonic, Tomr’s Handcrafted, and Fentimans. Try out a few different brands to find your favorite flavor profile. The top tonic syrups on the market combine historical roots with modern quality.
