Who makes the best tonic water?

How the best tonic water taste test worked

Four members of the olive team conducted a blind taste test to find the best original tonic water, awarding gold and silver to the ones we were most impressed with.

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The results for the best tonic water taste test

Joint gold: Schweppes 1783 tonic water, £26.49, 24 x 200ml, Amazon

Comments: This has everything you want from a tonic water – sweet yet bitter with a well-rounded flavour profile and lemon notes. Try mixing this one with a vodka.

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Joint gold: Fever-Tree Indian tonic water, £21, 24 x 200ml, Amazon

Comments: If you like your drinks a little sweeter, try this tonic with citrus notes. With a longer finish, this is ideal for a G&T.

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Joint gold: Bermondsey tonic water, £4.65, 4 x 200ml, Ocado

Comments: A more complex tonic than the others we tasted, with distinct fruity, honey undertones. The grown-up flavour means it’d be lovely to drink on its own.

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Silver: Schweppes tonic water, £15.45, 24 x 200ml, Ocado

Comments: One of the more bitter tonics we tasted, this lemony one had a delicate sweetness and a slight dryness at the end.

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Other tonic waters we tried

Fentimans premium Indian tonic water, £1.80/500ml; Waitrose. Buy now

About the tonic: Fentimans botanically brewed tonic water was first established in 1905. With no artificial sweeteners, flavourings or preservatives, this tonic water is made with natural botanicals and quinine.

Luscombe Devon tonic water, £23.93/24 x 200ml; Amazon. Buy now

About the tonic: Created and blended in Devon with spring water, Japanese yuzu and Indian quinine to create a classic tonic.

Franklin and Sons tonic water, £1.10/200ml; ginkiosk.com. Buy now

Double Dutch Indian tonic water, £22.99/24 x 200ml; Amazon. Buy now

Lixir Indian tonic water, £1.30/200ml; ginkiosk.com. Buy now

London Essence Co classic London tonic water, £3.49/4 x 200ml; Ocado. Buy now

Lamb and Watt original tonic water, £34.95/24 x 200ml; Amazon. Buy now

About the tonic: Launched by Halewood Wines & Spirits, this British tonic is made with organic agave and spring water from the Lake District.

In the past we also conducted a taste test to find the best flavoured Indian tonic water...

The results for the best flavoured tonic water taste test

Gold: Fentimans Pink Grapfruit Tonic Water, £18/pack of 8, Amazon

Comments:With an aromatic light grapefruit taste this winning flavoured tonic was a great all rounder, with a distinct tonic hint. Beautifully presented in a elegant vintage style bottle.

Joint silver: Franklins Sicilian Lemon Tonic, £27.74/pack of 24, Amazon

Comments: With a very sweet smell this cloudy lemon tonic is sweet on the palate with a bitter aftertaste

Joint Silver: Luscombe Grapefruit Tonic Water, £30.92/pack of 24, Amazon

Comments: With subtle notes of grapefruit, this tonic was slightly dry with a lot of fizz.

Joint bronze: Fever-Tree Elderflower Tonic Water, £1.81/500ml, Ocado

Comments: Strong notes of elderflower, this tonic water was syrupy and creamy. It was one of the sweeter flavoured tonics we tried.

Want to find out which is the best gin tonic in a can? Check out our expert tast test here, or if you’re now thirsty for gin, check out our top 15 British gins here.

Taste test conducted by Ellie Edwards