Tonic is today one of the world's most common drink mixtures. Originally, however, tonic had an intended use that was for anything other than a culinary or festive treat. The first use of tonic can be traced to Peru in the early 17th century when Spanish pilgrims tried mixing water with the bark of the Cinchona tree. It was then presented as a potential cure for malaria. However, the use of tonic had a relatively stagnant development thereafter and its appearance in more commercial contexts was to come.
In 1817, almost 200 years after what is considered the first discovery of tonic, French scientists Pelletier and Canentou discovered a way to extract quinine, the Cinchona bark's most medically powerful ingredient. Shortly afterwards, they set up a factory where they could begin production and later sell the final product as an anti-malarial. However, its strong bitter taste meant that many consumers quickly demanded an alternative way to take their daily dose. British colonialists based in India thus came up with a way to mitigate the bitter taste, by mixing the quinine extract with water, sugar, lime and gin. In doing so, they also created the first version of one of the most popular drinks of modern times, the Gin & Tonic. The revised version of the quinine extract also gave rise to a more casual use than its predecessor and soon afterwards sweetened quinine water began to be sold. The commercialisation of tonic came to generate new uses and by the end of the 19th century some manufacturers began to add carbonic acid to the water mixture.
Production of tonic increased rapidly
The increased popularity combined with a high demand for quinine from colonialists located in malaria-stricken areas led to a significant increase in tonic production. The large quantities of quinine that came into demand gave rise to an ill-considered, extreme harvesting of Cinchona trees, resulting in their near extinction. To avoid such a fate and to continue supplying their deployed colonialists, the British and Dutch began smuggling Cinchona seeds out of South America with the intention of starting to grow them in their respective homelands. The Dutch proved to be far better at processing and growing the trees, and by the start of the First World War had created a virtual monopoly on the quinine trade. However, Cinchona trees were later planted in Africa, where they accounted for the majority of quinine production, along with synthetic quinine, which was developed in the latter half of the 20th century.
From medicine to drink mixing
Modern developments have seen tonic take on a progressively less medicinal function and an increasingly prominent role as a festive and tasty addition to drinks and cocktails. As its use has been directed towards more everyday and festive occasions, the quinine content has also been significantly reduced as the level found in its medicinal predecessors is far too high for everyday drinking. However, even quinine in small concentrations, such as those found in tonics today, has been shown to have some health benefits, including stimulating digestion.
Tonic became soda
Since the 1980s, however, tonic production has taken an increasingly alarming and negative turn. Liqueur manufacturers have begun to add sweeteners, primarily isoglucose, and other flavourings to further commercialise tonics. Today, a large proportion of the tonic water on the market consists primarily of these synthetic substances instead of genuine raw materials. This has created headaches for both connoisseurs, due to the marked deterioration in taste, and health-conscious consumers, due to the negative effect of sweeteners on health.* At Swedish Tonic, we want to change this! That's why we have developed a tonic that is made the old-fashioned way with real ingredients. This gives Swedish Tonic a unique taste that must be experienced. Our tonic is available both as tonic syrup & as tonic water.
* (Not only that, tonics with high amounts of sweeteners also have a decent impact on your hangover. So don't despair the next time you wake up hungover - be sure to replace your tonic instead!).