Fever-Tree Premium Refreshingly Light Indian Tonic Water (200 ml) (Pack 24 Bottles)

Tonics and Calories

For those who are counting the calories in their gin and tonics, it’s worth beginning with the gin. Gin comes in at about 100 (give or take) calories per jigger (1.5 oz. pour) of a 40 proof spirit. Like a stronger gin? Then make that about 115 calories for that same 1.5 oz pour. Having two shots in your G&T? Well let’s call that a cool 230 from the starting point. Ready to add tonic? Ready to add a light tonic?

Fortunately, there are plenty of tonic waters out there which eschew sweetness without cutting flavor. Quinine, the primary flavor character, adds nearly no calories to the drink. Which is why, in terms of judging tonics, that calories have little effect on how good (or not good) the final product is. Flavor can be added independent of the sweetness. While some will prefer a sweeter tonic, that’s fine. And some (like me) prefer a less sweet tonic. So perhaps that’s why I find Fever Tree’s Naturally Light Indian Tonic Water to be a little underwhelming. Simply because while it does manage to deliver on the low calorie count (and if you’re adding 2 oz of gin to this 7oz. of tonic, we’re up to 265 calories), it doesn’t deliver as much flavor.

Testing Note.

On the nose, evident effervescence with a distinct touch of lemon/citrus. The palate is greeted with the signature Fever Tree burst of fizz, but when it clears, there’s not much else there. There’s only a tinge of bitterness and maybe a slight citric note. It’s clean, and has a touch of bitterness, but it just doesn’t deliver much on its own. It’s not wildly different from the flavor of their club soda, which while delivering plenty of effervescence, it just lacks in flavor and character.