5 days ago
I tasted high street tonic waters – I couldn't believe how swanky one supermarket brand looked & tasted for just £1.80
WHAT type of tonic do you reach for when it's time for a refreshing G&T?
British brand Fever-Tree came top in a recent poll, but does it really taste any better over ice than supermarkets ' own versions?
9
Laura Stott puts them to the test.
Fever-Tree Premium Tonic Water 8 x 150ml, £5.45
9
Made with premium ingredients and with a price tag to match, this has a strong note of bitterness.
A luxury option which will set you back at the till but it does taste fresh and delicious.
Not too sweet, very well balanced and no nasty aftertaste.
Rating: 3/5
Indian Tonic Water 1L, 68p, Asda
Five tips to feed your family for less and save on your supermarket shop
The taste is seriously impressive even before you throw in the cheap-as-chips price.
Extremely crisp, very dry and with sharp, buoyant bubbles and the perfect amount of bitterness, it was eminently gluggable.
Would be lovely poured into a Pimms, too.
Rating: 4/5
Tesco Finest Indian Tonic Water, 500ml, £1.80
The fancy glass bottle looks luxurious.
You wouldn't know it costs less than £2!
This is an aromatic sip with a nice sizzle of bubbles when you slurp.
Lovely flavour, zingy, dry and delicious and it tasted great paired with vodka over ice. I'd buy this one again.
Rating: 5/5
Deluxe Indian Tonic Water 8 x 150ml, £1.99, Lidl
This supermarket mixer has all the look of the Fever-Tree brand.
Very fizzy, so it will add plenty of sparkle to your summertime tipple.
There's a slight hint of aromatics when you sniff it.
A great price and I'd use it as a mixer with sweeter spirits.
Rating: 3/5
Indian Tonic Water 1L, 85p, Morrisons
If you prefer sweeter mixers, this will be ideal.
I found it a bit lacking in flavour, and not very fizzy.
It will do fine for diluting a spirit if you add ice and plenty of slices but this wouldn't be my go-to glug.
Tasted more like a slightly weak lemonade and left a peculiar aftertaste.
Rating: 2/5
Indian Tonic Water, £2.20, M&S /
Another one in a fancy bottle, this M&S mixer costs more too.
Made with natural spring water and quinine, it is in the 'Fever-Tree' style with a citrus tang.
Luxury tonic taste and fresh aroma. But you can find the same flavours for less money elsewhere.
Rating: 3/5
Ridge Valley Tonic Water 8 x 150ml, £1.99, Aldi
These tonic waters in individual cans are a classic Aldi 'dupe' drink.
While the look is almost identical to Fever-Tree, Aldi's offerings are a lot cheaper so you get more for your money.
Nice flavour, with the right level of bitterness and hint of citrus.
Rating: 3/5
Indian Tonic Water 1L, 95p, Co-op
The taste of this was not half bad.
It had a nice level of sparkle and the flavour was instantly recognisable as a proper tonic, without being too sour.
More on the sharp side, so it's ideal with sweeter spirits or solo on the rocks with a squeeze of lemon or lime.
