Gin and Tonic fans? What's up with tonic water these days?

[N80]

Gin and tonic has always been my summer go-to drink (well, that and beer). But lately, like the last year or two, I can't find good fizzy tonic water.

Always preferred Canada Dry in glass bottles. ALWAYS had to open it very slow or it would spew everywhere and your drink was very fizzy. Well, Canada Dry is no longer using glass bottles. Plastic only. When you open them you get a tiny little pffft and that's it. Not totally flat when poured. It still fizzes in glass but by the first sip there isn't a lot of carbonation left. A flat-ish G&T is hardly worth drinking. Might as well have a martini.

So I thought it was just Canada Dry. Bought Shweppes in glass bottles. Same thing. Bought 'Q' and Fever Tree in the little (expensive cans); same thing.

And its not just me. Other soft drinks like Coca Cola are fine. Topo Chico and San Pelligrino mineral water are very fizzy.

Has anyone else noticed this? Is there a conspiracy theory? Are the Canadians at Canada Dry sabotaging our tonic?

I know there are things you can do to help like washing the ice or keeping the tonic water in the fridge but I've tried that with little benefit.

I do have a soda stream carbonating machine and you can buy 'tonic' mix but with our machine you have to mix the flavor in after the water is carbonated and that's not ideal. Also wasn't wild about the 'tonic' flavoring we used. Would love recommendations if anyone has them for a better mix.

 

[tacticalturnip]

Order Polar online, they're out of Massachusetts.

Tonic Water – Polar Mixers

polarmixers.com

 

[N80]

Polar got the top review on America's Test Kitchen but we can't find it in stores around here so I definitely will check on line. Thanks.

 

[tacticalturnip]

I don't drink anymore, but when I did, gin and tonic was my drink, and Polar was my tonic. I'm in Maine, so it's damn near local to us.

 

[N80]

When I'm not in the mood for alcohol I like plain tonic with a slice of lime.

 

[Jstpssng]

When I'm not in the mood for alcohol I like plain tonic with a slice of lime.

That would go down good right about now.

 

[tacticalturnip]

When I'm not in the mood for alcohol I like plain tonic with a slice of lime.

You know what, that sounds pretty good; I never thought to drink tonic without gin.

 

[Duds13]

Polar here too. Regarding gin, I just discovered this gin recently and it is absolutely delicious. $25 for a bottle at the only store near me who sells it. Highly suggest giving it a try.

 

[Duds13]

You know what, that sounds pretty good; I never thought to drink tonic without gin.

Yup this is great on a hot day after mowing if you wanted to do a non-alcohol drink.

 

[Smokeydog]

Use to enjoy drinks with my BIL, we called them Jim-Atomics.
The essential ingredient, good limes, was hard to keep around. Found tru-lime crystals packets. 100% lime. Use these to flavor water and make my own bottle water. Refreshing. Use these packets when eating out. If you knew how limes and lemons are handled in restaurants and bars you wouldn’t want them in your drink.