What’s Really in Tonic Water? And Is It Actually Good for You?

Tonic water—it’s bitter, it’s bubbly, and it glows under black light. But what exactly is it? Is it just fancy soda water? Why does it taste the way it does? And what does it have to do with malaria and colonial history? In this episode of History of Simple Things, we uncover the fascinating origins of tonic water, from medicinal bark to modern cocktail staple.

If you've ever wondered why your gin and tonic has that signature sharpness or what quinine really is, this is your deep dive into the fizzy world of tonic water!

Timestamps:
00:00 – Intro: The Bubbly Mystery
01:01 – What Tonic Water Isn’t
01:56 – Quinine and the Fight Against Malaria
03:17 – From Medicine to Mixer: Birth of the Gin and Tonic
04:28 – Modern-Day Ingredients and Flavors
05:35 – Is Tonic Water Healthy?
06:50 – Why It Glows Under Black Light
07:30 – Outro: More Than Just a Mixer

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