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What is Quinine Water?

By Brendan McGuigan
Updated: May 16, 2024
Views: 82,851
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Quinine water is an older name for what is more commonly referred to these days as tonic water. It is popular throughout the world, and is the basis for some popular mixed drinks, including the gin and tonic. The liquid is given its name because it has a small amount of quinine, a crystalline alkaloid, in it.

The roots of tonic water can be found in the early 17th century. The story goes that the Countess of Chinchon, living in Peru, came down with a dreadful case of malaria. As she lay close to death, her husband begged the local Incas for some sort of a cure. They made her a tonic, which was primarily the ground up bark of the quinquina tree that made its home in the Andes. She recovered, and the Spanish saw that they had discovered a remedy for the dreadful illness.

The bark of the quinquina tree was exported in massive amounts to Europe. It became a sort of miracle drug, even curing King Louis XIV of malaria. Because of trade restrictions, however, the seeds themselves were not allowed out of Peru. There was a limited amount of quinquina bark available, so prices soon went through the roof, and eventually smugglers got some seeds out of Peru and to Holland. The Dutch then set up massive quinquina plantations in Java, and for the next few centuries supplied most of the world’s quinine.

British soldiers were issued quinine medicine to take every day in places like India to ward off malaria. The medicine was bitter, and certainly no fun to drink. At some point, enterprising British officers began mixing their quinine medicine with soda water, making the first quinine water. They then mixed this water with a big dose of sugar and gin, to further mask the taste of their medicine, and in the process created the gin and tonic.

Originally, quinine water contained a large amount of quinine for medicinal purposes. As it became less and less important, however, to ward off malaria, the amount was reduced. Most modern tonic water contains a negligible amount. In the United States, it is limited by law to 83 parts per million, which is less than one half of 1% of the amount found in historical versions.

Because of its physical properties, quinine becomes fluorescent when exposed to ultraviolet light. This means that the water, when placed under an ultraviolet light, will glow as though it has its own internal light. In fact, quinine is so sensitive that it will turn slightly fluorescent even when exposed to normal sunlight, because of the small amount of ultraviolet light hitting it.

Since World War II, when the Japanese interrupted the world’s flow of quinine water from Java, synthetic quinine has replaced quinine bark in most of the world’s tonic water. The difference between natural and synthetic quinine is negligible, but a few boutique companies have begun producing products using actual bark, touting it as a more natural and healthier alternative.

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Discussion Comments
By anon327947 — On Apr 01, 2013

Be sure to check the labels! Shasta tonic water is mostly carbonated water and high fructose corn syrup. Wal-mart diet tonic water is carbonated water with aspartame.

By anon288295 — On Aug 29, 2012

I agree. Diet tonic is definitely better with taste. There's even baking soda and tonic water made by Hansen. I'm glad to see there are as many people educated about quinine as I am. It's a better alternative to soda and liquor and you can even mix it with your favorite juice.

By anon277899 — On Jul 02, 2012

# "In the United States it is limited by law"

Nice of the nanny state to decide for us how much we can have.

By anon167576 — On Apr 13, 2011

diet tonic water and freshly squeezed lemon helped me to break the habit of drinking champagne. Nice and dry with ice, beautiful.

By anon143227 — On Jan 15, 2011

can use of quinine water in any way cause an allergic reaction such as rash or burning sensation of the body?

By anon128603 — On Nov 20, 2010

I get mine at walmart or our local liquor store. diet tonic is the best. zero calories, no carbs.

By anon113261 — On Sep 23, 2010

With or without liquor, there is no more refreshing drink than tonic water with a healthy squeeze of lime. Diet tonic is calorie free and if there is any taste difference, the diet is better. Try it. You will not be disappointed.

By anon103015 — On Aug 10, 2010

Kroger carries the water in a 2 liter bottle. It is their brand.

By anon99059 — On Jul 25, 2010

Try a liquor store. Canada Dry makes it and other companies.

By anon80196 — On Apr 26, 2010

i had the same problem until i found it at kmart under the name tonic water. jim

By alczub — On Mar 07, 2010

where can you purchase quinine water? I looked everywhere in the supermarket to no avail.

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