Tonic water is acarbonated soft drink in whichquinine is dissolved. Originally used as aprophylactic againstmalaria, modern tonic water typically has a significantly lower quinine content and is often more sweetened than the original medicinal form. It is consumed for its distinctivebitter flavour.
As early as the 17th century the Spanish used quinine from the bark ofCinchona trees to treat malaria after being shown the remedy from the Indigenous peoples ofPeru,Bolivia, andEcuador.[1]
In early 19th centuryIndia and other tropical posts of theBritish Empire, medicinal quinine was recommended to British officials and soldiers to preventmalaria,[2] where it was mixed with soda and sugar to mask its bitter taste, creating tonic water.
The first commercial tonic water was produced in 1858 when it was patented by the owner of Pitt & Co., Erasmus Bond.[3][4] The mixed drinkgin and tonic also originated inBritish colonial India, when the British mixed their medicinal quinine tonic withgin and other ingredients to make the bitter medicine more palatable.[5] Soldiers in India were already given a gin ration, so the sweet concoction was easy to make.[6] In 1868, the first known record of a gin and tonic was in theOriental Sporting Magazine and was described as a refreshing cocktail for spectators of horse racing, not as a medicine.[7]
Medicinal tonic water originally contained onlycarbonated water and a large amount of quinine. Most modern tonic waters contain comparatively less quinine, and are often enhanced by citrus flavours. As a result of the lower quinine content, tonic water is less bitter. It is also usually sweetened, often with the addition ofhigh-fructose corn syrup or sugar. Some manufacturers also produce diet (or "slimline") tonic water, which may containsugar substitutes such asaspartame. Traditional-style tonic water with high amounts of quinine and carbonated water is less common, but may be preferred by those who desire the bitter flavour.
In the United States, the USFood and Drug Administration (FDA) limits the quinine content in tonic water to 83 ppm[8] (83 mg per litre). In Europe, the limit is 100 mg/L, which is 0.25–0.50% of the original strength.[9] The therapeutic dose of quinine is 10 mg/kg every eight hours for effective malaria prevention (2,100 mg daily for a 70-kilogram (150 lb) adult).[10]
Until about 2010,[11] quinine was often recommended as a relief for legcramps, although medical research suggested some care was needed in monitoring doses.[12] Because of quinine's risks, the FDA cautions consumers against using "off-label" quinine drugs to treat leg cramps.[13]
Tonic water is often used as adrink mixer forcocktails, especiallygin and tonic.Vodka tonic is also popular. Tonic water withlemon orlime juice added is often known asbitter lemon or bitter lime. It is popular for its signature bittersweet taste. Another use of tonic water is in coffee. Theespresso and tonic was created inHelsingborg, Sweden, at Koppi Roasters after a staff party where they mixed tonic water, syrup, and an espresso. Since 2007, the drink has grown in popularity in Scandinavia, Europe, and the United States.[14]
Tonic water is known to causefixed eruptions, which is a type of skin reaction to drugs,[15] due to the quinine content. Various scientific journals have reported that repeated intake of tonic water can cause fixed eruptions with varying severity, with one reporting the onset ofStevens–Johnson syndrome.[16] The cases of fixed eruptions were seen after the patients drank tonic water, by itself or mixed with gin. Some symptoms of fixed eruptions include pigmented macules, high fever, erythematous plaques, and bullae.[17][18]
The quinine in tonic water willfluoresce underultraviolet light. In fact, quinine will visibly fluoresce in direct sunlight against a dark background.[19] The quinine molecules release energy as light instead of heat, which is more common. The state is not stable, and the molecules will immediately return to aground state and no longer glow once the UV source is removed.[20]
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)
The dictionary definition oftonic water at Wiktionary
Media related toTonic water at Wikimedia Commons