I tasted high street tonic waters – I couldn’t believe how swanky one supermarket brand looked & tasted for just £1.80

WHAT type of tonic do you reach for when it’s time for a refreshing G&T?

British brand Fever-Tree came top in a recent poll, but does it really taste any better over ice than supermarkets’ own versions?

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Laura Stott has tested supermarket tonic watersCredit: Damien McFadden

Laura Stott puts them to the test.

Fever-Tree Premium Tonic Water 8 x 150ml, £5.45

Fever-Tree Premium Indian Tonic Water 8-pack box.

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Fever-Tree’s Premium Tonic Water is very well balanced with no nasty aftertasteCredit: Damien McFadden

Made with premium ingredients and with a price tag to match, this has a strong note of bitterness.

A luxury option which will set you back at the till but it does taste fresh and delicious.

Not too sweet, very well balanced and no nasty aftertaste.

Rating: 3/5

Indian Tonic Water 1L, 68p, Asda

Bottle of ASDA Indian Tonic Water.

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Asda’s is seriously impressive and super cheapCredit: Damien McFadden
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The taste is seriously impressive even before you throw in the cheap-as-chips price.

Extremely crisp, very dry and with sharp, buoyant bubbles and the perfect amount of bitterness, it was eminently gluggable.

Would be lovely poured into a Pimms, too.

Rating: 4/5

Tesco Finest Indian Tonic Water, 500ml, £1.80

Tesco Finest Indian Tonic Water bottle.

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Tesco’s is the winner thanks to its luxurious bottle and great tasteCredit: Damien McFadden

The fancy glass bottle looks luxurious.

You wouldn’t know it costs less than £2!

This is an aromatic sip with a nice sizzle of bubbles when you slurp.

Lovely flavour, zingy, dry and delicious and it tasted great paired with vodka over ice. I’d buy this one again.

Rating: 5/5

Deluxe Indian Tonic Water 8 x 150ml, £1.99, Lidl

Eight 150ml cans of Deluxe Premium Indian Tonic Water.

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Lidl’s offering is best used as a mixer with sweeter spiritsCredit: Damien McFadden

This supermarket mixer has all the look of the Fever-Tree brand.

Very fizzy, so it will add plenty of sparkle to your summertime tipple.

There’s a slight hint of aromatics when you sniff it.

A great price and I’d use it as a mixer with sweeter spirits.

Rating: 3/5

Indian Tonic Water 1L, 85p, Morrisons

Morrisons tonic water bottle.

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The Morrisons version lacked flavour and left a peculiar aftertasteCredit: Damien McFadden

If you prefer sweeter mixers, this will be ideal.

I found it a bit lacking in flavour, and not very fizzy.

It will do fine for diluting a spirit if you add ice and plenty of slices but this wouldn’t be my go-to glug.

Tasted more like a slightly weak lemonade and left a peculiar aftertaste.

Rating: 2/5

Indian Tonic Water, £2.20, M&S/Ocado.com

Bottle of M&S Indian Tonic Water.

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M&S’s has a luxury tonic taste and fresh aroma but is too priceyCredit: Damien McFadden

Another one in a fancy bottle, this M&S mixer costs more too.

Made with natural spring water and quinine, it is in the “Fever-Tree” style with a citrus tang.

Luxury tonic taste and fresh aroma. But you can find the same flavours for less money elsewhere.

Rating: 3/5

Ridge Valley Tonic Water 8 x 150ml, £1.99, Aldi

Box of Ridge Valley Premium Indian Tonic Water.

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Aldi’s has a nice flavour, with the right level of bitterness and hint of citrusCredit: Damien McFadden

These tonic waters in individual cans are a classic Aldi “dupe” drink.

While the look is almost identical to Fever-Tree, Aldi’s offerings are a lot cheaper so you get more for your money.

Nice flavour, with the right level of bitterness and hint of citrus.

Rating: 3/5

Indian Tonic Water 1L, 95p, Co-op

Bottle of Co-op Indian Tonic Water.

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Co-op’s is ideal with sweeter spirits or solo on the rocks with a squeeze of lemon or limeCredit: Damien McFadden

The taste of this was not half bad.

It had a nice level of sparkle and the flavour was instantly recognisable as a proper tonic, without being too sour.

More on the sharp side, so it’s ideal with sweeter spirits or solo on the rocks with a squeeze of lemon or lime.

Rating: 3/5

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