Tonic water is a carbonated soft drink in which quinine is dissolved. Originally used as a prophylactic against malaria, 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 distinctive bittering agent.
History
As early as the 17th century the Spanish used quinine from the bark of
Cinchona trees to treat malaria after being shown the remedy from the Indigenous peoples of
Peru,
Bolivia, and
Ecuador.
In early 19th century India and other tropical posts of the British Empire, medicinal quinine was recommended to British officials and soldiers to prevent malaria,
The first commercial tonic water was produced in 1858 when it was patented by the owner of Pitt & Co., Erasmus Bond.
Quinine content
Medicinal tonic water originally contained only
carbonated water and a large amount of quinine. Most modern tonic waters contain comparatively less quinine, and are often enhanced by citrus flavors. As a result of the lower quinine content, tonic water is less bitter. It is also usually sweetened, often with the addition of high-fructose corn syrup or sugar. Some manufacturers also produce diet (or "slimline") tonic water, which may contain
such as
aspartame. 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 flavor.
In the United States, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) limits the quinine content in tonic water to 83 ppm
Until about 2010,
Use
Tonic water is often used as a
drink mixer for
, especially gin and tonic.
Vodka tonic is also popular. Tonic water with
lemon or lime juice added is often known as
bitter lemon or bitter lime. It is popular for its signature bittersweet taste. Another use of tonic water is in coffee. The espresso and tonic was created in
Helsingborg, 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.
Negative effects
Tonic water is known to cause fixed eruptions, which is a type of skin reaction to drugs,
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 of Stevens-Johnson syndrome.
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.
Fluorescence
The quinine in tonic water will
fluoresce under
black light. In fact, quinine will visibly fluoresce in direct sunlight against a dark background.
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 a
ground state and no longer glow once the UV source is removed.
See also
External links
