Tonic water has humble roots as a medicinal tree bark first discovered centuries ago. So how did it evolve from that into one of the most popular cocktails (the gin and tonic)? Today we’ll take a look at the fascinating history of tonic water, from its medicinal effects in the treatment of malaria to its current status as the king of cocktail supremacy.
Tonic Water: Malaria-Fighting Super Drink
The first tonic water was known as Pitt’s Aerated Tonic Water, and it was patented in England in 1858 as “an improved aerated liquid,” according to Imbibe Magazine. However, tonic water by then was nothing new. It actually got its start as a treatment for malaria, a life-threatening disease caused by parasites and transmitted by the bite of an infected mosquito. This disease is most common in tropical and subtropical regions, such as parts of Africa, Latin America, and Asia. Malaria causes fever, chills, and even death in rare cases.
Quinine found in the bark of the cinchona tree was found to hamper the parasite’s ability to reproduce, which then reduced symptoms of malaria. Today, it’s the quinine that gives tonic water its distinctive bitter flavor. Its use as a malaria treatment originated in the Peruvian Andes after a South American man, who contracted malaria, drank water from a pool of water containing a cinchona tree. His fever left him and he felt better. Whether the story is true or not makes no difference: tonic water was used for its antimalarial properties until about the early 20th century. After that, modern medicine took over and offered more effective cures.
Growing Popularity
The popularity of tonic water started to spread, and in so doing became known as the drink of the tropics. Brands called “Indian tonic water,” started popping up that even appealed to the exotic crowd over in Europe and North America. Over the years, tonic water’s signature mixture, the gin and tonic, became wildly popular in England at the turn of the 20th century -- due in no small part to a strategic advertising campaign by a little company called Schweppes. Later, the brand Fever-Tree took its name from the anti-malarial qualities of the cinchona tree.
You may wonder: how did tonic water end up in our modern bars and restaurants? The most likely reason is that that soldiers and officers stationed in India many years ago were prescribed quinine to counter the risk of malaria. They wanted to find a way to make the bitter medicine taste better, which prompted them to add soda water and sugar, and then later on for an extra kick -- gin. They brought the concoction with them when they returned to the States and the rest is history!
Beverage Universe Has All the Tonic Water You Need
Whether you plan to drink it straight or you want to add a little hint of gin, we carry all the most popular brands of tonic water. Browse what we offer and then contact us to place your order.