How Much Sugar Is in Tonic Water?

Tonic water has been around as a classic mixer for over a century. Often praised for its bitter complexity and bubbly charm, tonic water has a secret both bitter and sweet: its surprising sugar content. Read on as we delve into the depths of tonic water's nutritional profile and uncover a paradoxical truth—a beverage once hailed for its medicinal properties might not be as healthy for you as it seems. We’ll also explore several alternatives, including OLIPOP, a healthier and more delicious beverage, that contains significantly less sugar than tonic water.

What Is Tonic Water?

Tonic water, with its distinctive bitter flavor, traces its origins to the 19th century when British soldiers in colonial India consumed quinine—a compound extracted from the bark of the cinchona tree—to combat malaria. They tempered the bitter taste of quinine by mixing it with soda water and sugar, giving birth to what we now know as tonic water.

Today, tonic water typically contains a blend of carbonated water, quinine, and sweeteners, making it a popular mixer for alcoholic beverages, particularly gin. But it's the sweetener content that often raises eyebrows and concerns among health-conscious consumers.

Tonic Water Nutrition Facts

Here is the nutrition information for one 12-ounce (366g) serving of tonic water according to the USDA:

• Calories: 115
• Fat: 0g
• Sodium: 44mg
• Carbohydrates: 32g
• Fiber: 0g
• Protein: 0g
• Sugars: 32g

What starts as a fairly benign list takes a shocking turn when the back label reveals that a normal bottle of tonic water contains over 30 grams of sugar! That’s nearly as much sugar as there is in a can of regular Coca-Cola (39g). Tonic water, it turns out, might not be a tonic at all, and should hardly be called water—unless you’re calling it sugar water!

Seltzer vs Club Soda vs Sparkling Water

Now what about seltzer water, club soda, and sparkling water... how are they different from tonic water? Here we’ll discuss how these nearly identical beverages—they are all clear carbonated water after all!—actually differ from one another in taste profile, how they’re made, and their nutritional value. 

What Is Seltzer Water?

Seltzer water offers a clean and neutral taste, characterized by its crisp carbonation and absence of added flavors or sweeteners. This purity makes seltzer a popular carbonated option for mixed drinks or enjoyed on its own as a refreshing thirst-quencher.

You produce seltzer by infusing carbon dioxide into purified water under pressure, resulting in natural carbonation without the need for additional ingredients. This straightforward manufacturing process ensures seltzer maintains its calorie-free and unsweetened status. With zero calories, sugar, or artificial additives, seltzer water stands out as a guilt-free beverage choice, making it particularly appealing to those seeking a healthier alternative to sugary sodas or mixers.

What Is Club Soda?

Club soda shares similarities with seltzer water in terms of its clean and crisp carbonation. However, it often exhibits a slightly salty or mineral taste due to the inclusion of added salts such as sodium bicarbonate or potassium sulfate.

Like seltzer water, you produce club soda by carbonating purified water. But unlike club soda, seltzer may also incorporate extra ingredients like the aforementioned salts to enhance flavor and mouthfeel. While club soda typically remains calorie-free and unsweetened, its mineral content may enhance its nutritional profile, providing small amounts of essential minerals such as sodium or potassium. 

What Is Sparkling Water?

Sparkling water encompasses a broad category of carbonated waters that may include various flavors, ranging from “regular” to berry and citrus-infused. Some sparkling waters are unsweetened, providing a refreshing fizz without added sugars, while others may contain natural or artificial flavors to enhance the taste.

You produce sparkling water through a similar process as seltzer water, utilizing carbon dioxide infusion to create bubbles. Depending on the brand and flavor, sparkling water may also incorporate natural flavors, sweeteners, or mineral additives to achieve its desired taste profile. Unsweetened sparkling water offers a calorie-free and sugar-free alternative to traditional sodas, making it a popular choice for those seeking a healthier beverage option. However, flavored sparkling waters may contain added sugars or artificial sweeteners, so it's essential to check the label for nutritional information.

Carbonated Water vs. OLIPOP

Following our investigation, we find ourselves confronted with a bitter-sweet revelation: tonic water, despite its medicinal origins, often contains a surprising amount of sugar. While traditional tonic water recipes utilize sugar to balance the bitterness of quinine, modern iterations frequently rely on high-fructose corn syrup or other sweeteners for their flavoring.

In the quest for healthier alternatives, you may turn to seltzer, club soda, or sparkling water, which offer fizzy refreshment without the added sugars. However, these beverages have little nutritional value of their own. Enter OLIPOP, a new kind of soda loaded with prebiotic fiber to support your gut health. Our sodas have only a small amount of sugar (2-5g) per can and a variety of delicious flavors for all occasions.

“How can I replace my precious Gin & Tonics with something healthier?” you’re probably asking.  Well, first of all, we’d advise against drinking alcohol regularly and in large quantities, but if you’ve decided to indulge, consider using OLIPOP as your new mixer of choice. Our wide variety of flavors offers you an unlimited supply of new healthier cocktail and mocktail recipes to try.