The best tonic waters for delicious, alcohol-free drinks this Dry January (and beyond!)

On a quest to find the perfect T to your G? We've scoured the supermarkets and tried all the major brands, to find the best tonic water to complement your chosen gin.

And if you're giving Dry January a go this year, our tried and tested tonic waters are also the perfect way to liven up your favourite no and low alcohol spirits, creating delicious, grown-up drinks for sipping when you want to go booze free.

With a range of botanicals and formats, there's plenty to consider...

Best tonic water 2025

What tonic goes best with gin?

Back in the 18th century, quinine was drunk with water as a preventative measure against malaria. Later, gin, lime and sugar were added to make it more enjoyable, and the G&T was born. These days, the volumes of quinine used are greatly reduced and it simply adds a bitter twist, often sweetened by the addition of sugar.

Gin and tonic is probably one of the most well-known cocktails. We’d recommend mixing one part gin to three parts tonic and enjoying with plenty of ice and a citrus slice, alongside other garnishes — fresh herb sprigs and cucumber ribbons work well.

Complex gins such as Elephant Dry pair well with Indian tonic waters, while fresh, floral gins like Bombay Sapphire are perfect with Mediterranean tonic.

Or mix things up and try it with rum or tequila, for a long drink with a twist. We're also big fans of refreshing white port and tonic, with a slice of lime and a sprig of mint. Make a big jug for an impressive, yet fuss-free, aperitif.

When deciding what tonic to stock up on, it's also worth considering the format. Once open, tonic goes flat fast. If you only indulge in the odd tipple now and then, you may prefer individual mini cans or bottles over a larger sharing bottle, to keep your bubbles fresh and vibrant.

If you're opting for an alcohol-free thirst-quencher, the same principles apply – check out our roundup of the best non-alcoholic spirits for plenty of Dry January inspiration.

How we test tonic water

The Good Housekeeping Institute experts sipped their way through 14 tonic waters to find the best bitter mixer. All were blinded to avoid brand bias and tried neat to fully assess the aroma and flavour. The top three highest-scoring products then went on to be tested with gin.

Our experts were looking for a well-balanced and refreshing beverage with subtle bitter notes, a hint of sweetness and a clean, crisp finish. The results are in.