IT’S just the tonic – but it doesn’t have to be made by Schweppes.
As the warm weather has us all reaching for the G&Ts, you don’t have to break the bank when it comes to your mixer.
10
Julie Etherington tested supermarket tonic waters against the market leader – and you may be surprised by the result.
Here are her verdicts on the magic mixers – best enjoyed with a healthy splash of gin, a few cubes of ice and a sliced lemon.
Marks are out of five.
SCHWEPPES, £1.75 in Tesco
10
A BOTTLE from the leading manufacturer of Indian tonic water costs around £1 more than supermarket own brands.
I find the flavour a little overpowering and the unusual metallic flavour lingers long afterwards.
It’s either too bitter or too sweet, though I can’t figure out which. I do know it’s too dear.
Rating: 2
ASDA, 70P
10
YOU can get this bottle at the same price as the winner, which is one of its good points.
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And while it’s not too fizzy and also not too flat, it lacks a little flavour and comes across as a bit bland.
It mixes OK with gin but thank goodness for a slice of lemon or the drink would be tasteless.
Rating: 3
M&S, 85p
10
THIS one says “zesty and fresh” and it tastes like the bitter lemon your parents had in their cupboard so not my favourite.
If I was blindfolded,
I wouldn’t know the difference. It does say no “added sweeteners”, which might explain the tart flavour.
Poured over gin it doesn’t compliment the drink well at all.
Rating: 2
MORRISONS, 70p
10
PERFECTLY balanced – not too fizzy, not so bitter that it makes you suck your cheeks in and equally not so sweet that it tastes like lemonade.
Mix it with the single measure of gin and it turns into the perfect G&T to enjoy in the summer.
Bottoms up to this tonic water which beats the competition on both price and flavour.
Rating: 5
WAITROSE, 75p
10
THE “Essential” budget Tonic Water is very crisp and very bitter, a little too bitter for my palette.
But at a price well under what you would expect at the upmarket store, it is certainly a good buy if your taste buds are not a huge fan of sweet.
Mixed with the gin it creates an overly dry drink, so not as refreshing as I’d hoped.
Rating: 2
LIDL, £2.19 for 8 150ml cans
10
WILD card of the taste test. Aldi and Lidl basic tonic waters are very similar, so I decided to try the best Lidl offer.
The box contains 8 cans, and you need almost seven to make up a litre, so it’s not good value for money.
Alone and added to gin the taste is so bitter it made me shake my head. Not the sweet deal it might look.
Rating: 2
TESCO, 75p
10
TESCO tonic comes with a delicate hint of citrus but the flavour is subtle, so not so overpowering that it tastes like lemonade.
As a result it makes a very refreshing soft drink on its own.
Mixed with Gordon’s it makes a great tasting gin and tonic and it was a close contender for the winning spot in this test.
Rating: 4
ALDI, 59p
10
NOT as fizzy as some others but if you like less fizz it’s a good choice as, although it contains artificial sweeteners, it’s not too sweet.
Mixed with gin however, any fizz that was there quickly turns flat.
I like a bit of zip with my G&T, and without bubbles, the overall drinking experience was spoiled.
Rating: 2
SAINSBURY’S, 80p
10
PERFECT balance of sweetness and bitter is great value for money and just what I want in a tonic water.
Really refreshing as a summer soft drink and mixes well with a gin too.
The unopened bottle looks far from full though.
If you are buying a litre of anything you certainly don’t want to be short changed.
Rating: 4
