Tonic Water Nutrition Facts: Calories, Carbs, and Health Benefits Menu Verywell Fit Nutrition Weight Management Nutrition Facts Nutrition Basics Diets Meal Plans Meal Delivery Services View All News Fitness and Nutrition What to Buy How We Test Products Fitness Gear Nutrition Products Tools Recipe Nutrition Calculator Weight Loss Calorie Goal BMI Calculator Body Fat Percentage Calculator Calories Burned by Activity Daily Calories Burned Pace Calculator About Us Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Search Nutrition Facts Water and Beverages Tonic Water Nutrition Facts Calories, Carbs, and Health Benefits of Tonic Water By Malia Frey Malia Frey Malia Frey is a weight loss expert, certified health coach, weight management specialist, personal trainer​, and fitness nutrition specialist. Learn about our editorial process Updated on March 09, 2020 Medically reviewed Verywell Fit articles are reviewed by board-certified physicians and nutrition and exercise healthcare professionals. Medical Reviewers confirm the content is thorough and accurate, reflecting the latest evidence-based research. Content is reviewed before publication and upon substantial updates. Learn more. by Jonathan Valdez, RDN, CDCES, CPT Medically reviewed by Jonathan Valdez, RDN, CDCES, CPT Jonathan Valdez, RDN, CDCES, CPT is a New York City-based telehealth registered dietitian nutritionist and nutrition communications expert. Learn about our Medical Review Board Print Verywell / Alexandra Shytsman Table of Contents View All Table of Contents Nutrition Facts Health Benefits Common Questions Recipes and Preparation Allergies Is tonic water healthy? It sounds like it should be because it has "water" in the name. But tonic water is more than just water. Tonic water has a bitter taste that comes from quinine. Quinine is a natural substance found in the bark of the Peruvian cinchona tree, high in the Andes mountains. Most tonic water brands contain quinine, but the amount may vary from brand to brand. Most brands also contain natural or artificial flavors from fruits or herbs to temper the bitterness. Tonic Water Nutrition Facts The following nutrition information is provided by the USDA for one 12-ounce (366g) serving of tonic water. Calories: 114Fat: 0gSodium: 40mgCarbohydrates: 30gFiber: 0gSugars: 30gProtein: 0g Tonic Water Calories Tonic water calories are surprisingly high. This popular mixer is loaded with 114 calories per bottle. So what's in tonic water that makes it less healthy than sparkling water or mineral water? The reason that tonic water is relatively high in calories (compared to calorie-free sparkling water or club soda) is that it contains a sweetener in some form. Some brands contain high fructose corn syrup, while other brands include cane sugar or simply sugar in the ingredients. When you add an alcoholic ingredient, like gin, to make a gin and tonic cocktail, the calorie count can increase to 200 calories or more per serving. Tonic water can also be a source of sodium, depending on the variety that you buy and the amount that you drink. Seagram's brand tonic water, for example, provides 45 milligrams of sodium per serving; Schweppes brand tonic water provides 55 milligrams of sodium per serving. So is diet tonic water any better? Not all brands make a diet version of their popular mixer. But you'll eliminate the calories if you can find and use the diet variety. The diet beverages don't contain sugar. But you may consume more sodium. Schweppes Diet Tonic Water, for example, contains 105 milligrams of sodium, almost twice as much as the regular version. Carbs in Tonic Water The calories in tonic water come from sugars. There are 33 grams of carbohydrate and 32 grams of sugar per serving. The estimated glycemic load of tonic water is estimated to be about four. Fats in Tonic Water There is no fat in tonic water. Protein in Tonic Water T​onic water provides no protein Micronutrients in Tonic Water You won't gain any significant vitamins or minerals when you consume tonic water, however, there is a small amount of sodium, zinc and copper. Health Benefits Quinine, a key ingredient in tonic water, can be used to treat malaria. The substance is FDA-approved in specific doses to treat the disease. But the amount of quinine in tonic water is less than what is generally prescribed for medicinal purposes. Some consumers have also tried to used quinine for leg cramps. But the FDA has warned that this off-label use is not recommended and may cause harm. And finally, some drinkers may use tonic water to relieve stress. Tonic water is often combined with gin to make the popular gin and tonic cocktail. While drinking alcohol in moderation may be safe, drinking too much or too often can cause harm. Common Questions What are the most popular tonic water alternatives? If you enjoy tonic water plain or as a mixer, you may want to try one of these water alternatives to cut back on calories, sodium and added sugar. Seltzer. Seltzer is plain water that has been carbonated. It is very similar to club soda. It contains no calories and no added sweeteners. Add lemon or other fruit for flavor. Plain water. Plain water doesn't provide any bubbles but many people top off their favorite liquor with water instead of high-calorie mixers. Mineral water. Mineral water tastes very much like seltzer but the carbonation is usually natural. Flavored water. Flavored water provides some nutrients and antioxidants from the vegetables and fruits you use. It is a great alternative, if the other options won't work for you. What is the best way to store tonic water after it has been opened? Whether you use tonic water or sparkling water, you'll want to keep your bottled water tightly capped and chilled so that the carbonation is maintained and it is always ready for your cold drink. Are Carbonated Waters a Healthy Option for Hydration? Recipes and Preparation Tips Most people use tonic water when they prepare adult beverages, most notably the gin and tonic, a mix of gin, tonic, ice, and lime. You can make also your own tonic water. There are countless online recipes to try if you prefer craft-style beverages. Try experimenting with different herbs and flavors. The tonic water you make at home may or may not be lower in calories than the store-bought brands, but you can at least control the ingredients to create a beverage that caters to your personal tastes, such as a Low-Carb Sugar-Free Sweet Sour Cocktail. Allergies and Interventions It is possible to have an allergy to quinine that may cause a reaction if you consume tonic water. According to one published report, four patients experienced an allergic reaction. In these cases, the research suggests, the allergy may cause thrombocytopenia (blood disorder), neutropenia (hematological disorder), anemia, clotting disorders, acute renal failure, liver toxicity, and neurological abnormalities. Another case report links allergic reactions specifically to tonic water. If you suspect an allergy to tonic water, seek care from a qualified medical professional. 4 Sources Verywell Fit uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read our editorial process to learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy. Achan J, Talisuna AO, Erhart A, et al. Quinine, an old anti-malarial drug in a modern world: role in the treatment of malaria. Malar J. 2011;10:144. doi:10.1186/1475-2875-10-144 U.S. Food and Drug Administration. FDA drug safety communication: New risk management plan and patient medication guide for Qualaquin (quinine sulfate). Howard MA, Hibbard AB, Terrell DR, Medina PJ, Vesely SK, George JN. Quinine allergy causing acute severe systemic illness: report of 4 patients manifesting multiple hematologic, renal, and hepatic abnormalities. Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2003;16(1):21-6. doi:10.1080/08998280.2003.11927884 Winter FD. Immune thrombocytopenia associated with consumption of tonic water. Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2015;28(2):213-6. doi:10.1080/08998280.2015.11929233 Additional Reading Winter FD. Immune thrombocytopenia associated with consumption of tonic water. Proc (Bayl Univ Med Cent). 2015;28(2):213-6. doi:10.1080/08998280.2015.11929233 By Malia Frey Malia Frey is a weight loss expert, certified health coach, weight management specialist, personal trainer​, and fitness nutrition specialist. See Our Editorial Process Meet Our Review Board Share Feedback Was this page helpful? 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