The Tonic & Mixer Masters 2025 results
Tonics and mixers, an increasingly vital sector of the drinks industry, are put to the taste test in The Tonic & Mixer Masters 2025 blind tasting to determine which ones are really fizzing.
The year started with a major development in the tonic water category. In January, brewing giant Molson Coors bought an 8.5% stake in leading tonic water producer Fever-Tree for £71 million (US$88.4m). The investment was earmarked for a US focus, because Fever-Tree is the number-one tonic and ginger beer brand in the US. “The US is our biggest global market by revenue, and the same is true for Fever-Tree, so we believe this partnership provides ample opportunity for our teams to build on the strong success Fever-Tree has achieved to date,” said Gavin Hattersley, Molson Coors Beverage Company CEO, at the time.
When two beverage powerhouses unite like this, it usually indicates they trust in the longevity of a category and a brand. As an indisputable leader in the premium tonic and mixer space, Fever-Tree paved the way for multiple brands to follow. But above all else, the quality of the liquid must be excellent. Therefore, The Tonic & Mixer Masters blind tasting was established to see which brands live up to the taste test and are worth consumers’ hard-earned money.
Held at The Wren Tavern in London, Matt Chambers, co-founder of Whisky For Everyone, led a panel with Richard Legg, founder of Distilled Knowledge. A second group comprised: Ruchira Neotia, drinks consultant and founder of Ruchira’s Table; Sarah Miller, founder of the Gin A Ding Ding blog; and Melita Kiely, editor-in-chief of The Spirits Business magazine, and chair of The Global Spirits Masters Competitions (GSMC).
Good carbonation
The judging started by assessing a soda water from Thomas Henry, which won a Gold medal for its “good level of carbonation”.
Thomas Henry bagged a second medal in the following flight – Indian Tonic Water. Thomas Henry Tonic Water impressed with its “classic, inviting nose, and hints of sweet citrus” on the palate. Five more Gold medals were also awarded in the Indian Tonic Water heat. The Gold winners were: “slightly zesty, with elegant quinine” Artonic Indian Tonic; “pleasantly dry with soft carbonation” Favolà I Fiori; “clean, light and less bitter than some traditional tonics” Franklin & Sons Premium Indian Tonic; “nicely carbonated, classic” Fitch & Leedes Indian Tonic Water; “refreshing, clean” Schweppes Original Tonic. Two Silver medals completed the flight.
The tasting moved to Light/Slimline/Low-Calorie Tonic Water, where Thomas Henry Dry Tonic upped the German brand’s medal haul again. The Gold-winning expression was described as “very elegant on the nose”, leading to “a bright and fresh palate”. A trio of Silver medals boosted the fight.
When it came to Mediterranean tonic waters, Favolà Il Mare secured a Gold medal after showcasing herbaceous “rosemary, and dry notes” on the palate. A Silver medal was also enjoyed.
Floral and fragrant
In the Tonic Water – Other heat, Thomas Henry Botanical Tonic took home the top Master award. The judges said this was “quite pretty on the nose, floral and fragrant”, which led to “a nice level of sweet vs herbal vs floral” complexity on the palate. A Gold medal was awarded to Fitch & Leedes Pink Tonic Water, while two Silvers completed the round.
Flavoured tonic waters have been well received by consumers in recent years – and given the quality evident in the Flavoured/Infused Tonic Water contingent, it’s not hard to see why. A duo of Master medals were uncovered in this round, including a Master for Franklin & Sons Rosemary & Black Olive Tonic. “A fantastic product,” declared Neotia. “A brilliant display of both rosemary and black olives, amplified two times on the palate. This would make any mixologist and home bartender very happy.”
Also found to be worthy of a Master was Goldberg Indian Hibiscus Tonic. “Authentic hibiscus and light aromatics” on the nose impressed the judges, who also enjoyed the “unique hibiscus flower aromas” which “balanced beautifully with the quinine bitterness on the palate”. Five Gold medals – including Artonic Cucumber Tonic – were awarded, alongside six Silvers.
Sticking with flavoured editions, but this time more broadly looking at flavoured mixers, and the standard only improved. The number of Masters doubled from two to four, awarded to: “natural, bright, fresh and balanced” Le Tribute Pink Grapefruit Soda; “authentic, decent and everything you’d expect” Hysope Pink Grapefruit Soda; Thomas Henry Mystic Mango with its “juicy mango and good carbonation”; and Franklin & Sons Pineapple & Almond Soda, which Smith said would “pair great with a high-estery rum to create a Mai Tai-style drink”.
Six Gold medals were also enjoyed, including a double win for Suntory Beverage & Food Europe for Schweppes Selection Hibiscus and Schweppes Pink Grapefruit. Six Silvers made for an overall strong flight. in the next flight, four Master medals and two Golds were awarded in the Non-Carbonated Mixer – Fruit-Based heat. All four Masters were awarded to products from Mikks: “rich, thick and enjoyable” Mikks Coco Pineapple; “tart and tangy” Mikks Berry Lemon; “sharp and citrusy” Mikks Citrus Lime; and Mikks Grapefruit Lime, which left a “bitter hit of zesty grapefruit on the long finish”. The Gold medals were presented to two additional Mikks products: Mikks Ginger Mint and Mikks Yuzu Elder.
Miller commented on the flight: “Really impressive; really authentic flavours, really well-balanced, fresh – the standard was exceptional. The number of drinks you come across that are just chocka with citric acid – these showed how to do it very well.”
Mikks Coldbrew Cacao joined the medal winners in the Non-Carbonated Mixer – Other round, receiving a Silver medal for “unexpected sweet orange notes on the finish” following flavours of “filter coffee”.
Two more Silvers were awarded in the Bitter Lemon flight, this time to “tangy, effervescent” Thomas Henry Bitter Lemon, and Goldberg Bitter Lemon, with “delicate bitter lemon peel”.
MG Destilerías secured a Gold medal for Le Tribute Olive Lemonade in the following Lemonade flight, enjoyed for its “lightly cloudy” appearance, and flavours of “briny green olives, and freshly squeezed lemonade”.
The Gold streak continued as the panels approached the last few flights. A quartet of Gold medals plus two Silvers were awarded in the Ginger Beer heat. The Gold medals were given to: “feisty and vibrant” Kaukani Ginger Beer; “approachable and well-balanced” Artonic Ginger Beer; Thomas Henry Spicy Ginger Beer with “some lingering chilli heat”; and Schweppes Selection Ginger Beer & Chili, where the “chilli builds in a really pleasant way”.
The Ginger Ale round delivered a solid flight of Silver medallists, including “vibrant and bold” Clearer Twist Ginger Ale.
In the penultimate flight, Cola, a Silver was awarded to Goldberg Premium Cola, with its notes of “Cola Bottles and sweet vanilla”.
And ending on an undeniable high with Syrup – Fruit-Based products, Shake-it Group gained a Gold medal for “thick, syrupy and authentic” Shake-It Mixer Mango. The company also won a Master medal for Shake-It Mixer Lime, which was celebrated for displaying a “nice balance of sweetness and sharpness on the palate”. Additional tasting notes include “refreshing, and a good staple for when you don’t want to be squeezing fresh limes”.
With the initial assessments completed, one task remained – determining the ‘best in class’, and the product most deserving of the Tonic & Mixer Taste Master title. It was a product from the Non-Carbonated Mixer – Fruit-Based flight that claimed the top accolade this year: Mikks Coco Pineapple.
Miller said the Non-Carbonated Mixer – Fruit-Based round was the “most exciting, without a shadow of a doubt’.
Neotia added: “Products like these are going to completely change what people can do in their home bars, non-alcoholic categories, and other servers in bars and cocktails. This is a game changer.”
| Soda | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Thomas Henry | Thomas Henry Soda Water | Gold |
| Indian Tonic Water | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Thomas Henry | Thomas Henry Tonic Water | Gold |
| Routin | Artonic Indian Tonic | Gold |
| Migra | Favolà I Fiori | Gold |
| Fitch & Leedes | Indian Tonic Water | Gold |
| Suntory Beverage & Food Europe | Schweppes Original Tonic | Gold |
| Global Brands | Franklin & Sons Premium Indian Tonic | Gold |
| Global Tonic | Indian Tonic | Silver |
| MBG International Premium Brands | Goldberg Tonic Water | Silver |
| Light/Slimline/Low-Calorie Tonic Water | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Thomas Henry | Thomas Henry Dry Tonic | Gold |
| Shake-It Group | Birdcage Mixers – Zero Sugar Botanical Tonic | Silver |
| Shake-It Group | Birdcage Mixers – Zero Sugar Indian Tonic | Silver |
| Shake-It Group | Birdcage Mixers – Zero Sugar Rhubarb Tonic | Silver |
| Mediterranean Tonic | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Migra | Favolà Il Mare | Gold |
| MBG International Premium Brands | Goldberg Mediterranean Tonic | Silver |
| Tonic Water – Other | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Thomas Henry | Thomas Henry Botanical Tonic | Master |
| Fitch & Leedes | Pink Tonic Water | Gold |
| Fitch & Leedes | Blue Tonic Water | Silver |
| Clearer Twist | Clearer Twist Tonic Water | Silver |
| Flavoured/Infused Tonic Water | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Global Brands | Franklin & Sons Rosemary & Black Olive Tonic | Master |
| MBG International Premium Brands | Goldberg Indian Hibiscus Tonic | Master |
| Migra | Favolà I Crocodrilli | Gold |
| Suntory Beverage & Food Europe | Schweppes Selection Tonic Basil & Sicilian Lemon | Gold |
| Fitch & Leedes | Grapefruit Tonic Water | Gold |
| Routin | Artonic Cucumber Tonic | Gold |
| Suntory Beverage & Food Europe | Schweppes Selection Tonic & Touch of Lime | Gold |
| Routin | Artonic Lemon Lavender Tonic | Silver |
| Routin | Artonic Grapefruit Tonic | Silver |
| MBG International Premium Brands | Goldberg Japanese Yuzu Tonic | Silver |
| Global Tonic | Pink Grape | Silver |
| Thomas Henry | Thomas Henry Wild Berry | Silver |
| Thomas Henry | Thomas Henry Cherry Blossom Tonic | Silver |
| Flavoured/Infused Carbonated Mixer | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| MG Destilerías | Le Tribute Pink Grapefruit Soda | Master |
| Hysope | Pink Grapefruit Soda | Master |
| Thomas Henry | Thomas Henry Mystic Mango | Master |
| Global Brands | Franklin & Sons Pineapple & Almond Soda | Master |
| Global Brands | Franklin & Sons Pink Grapefruit Soda | Gold |
| Migra | Favolà I Pink Grapefruit | Gold |
| Routin | Artonic Lemongrass Soda | Gold |
| Thomas Henry | Thomas Henry Pink Grapefruit | Gold |
| Suntory Beverage & Food Europe | Schweppes Selection Hibiscus | Gold |
| Suntory Beverage & Food Europe | Schweppes Pink Grapefruit | Gold |
| Thomas Henry | Thomas Henry Vivid Watermelon | Silver |
| Clearer Twist | Clearer Twist French Pink | Silver |
| MBG International Premium Brands | Goldberg Pink Grapefruit | Silver |
| MBG International Premium Brands | Goldberg Wild Berry | Silver |
| MBG International Premium Brands | Goldberg Spicy Wasabi | Silver |
| Fitch & Leedes | Cheeky Cranberry | Silver |
| Non-Carbonated Mixer – Fruit Based | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Mikks | Mikks Coco Pineapple | Master & Taste Master |
| Mikks | Mikks Berry Lemon | Master |
| Mikks | Mikks Citrus Lime | Master |
| Mikks | Mikks Grapefruit Lime | Master |
| Mikks | Mikks Yuzu Elder | Gold |
| Mikks | Mikks Ginger Mint | Gold |
| Non-Carbonated Mixer – Other | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Mikks | Mikks Coldbrew Cacao | Silver |
| Bitter Lemon | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Thomas Henry | Thomas Henry Bitter Lemon | Silver |
| MBG International Premium | Brands Goldberg Bitter Lemon | Silver |
| Lemonade | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| MG Destilerías | Le Tribute Olive Lemonade | Gold |
| Ginger Beer | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Kaukani | Kaukani Ginger Beer | Gold |
| Routin | Artonic Ginger Beer | Gold |
| Thomas Henry | Thomas Henry Spicy Ginger Beer | Gold |
| Suntory Beverage & Food Europe | Schweppes Selection Ginger Beer & Chili | Gold |
| MBG International Premium Brands | Goldberg Ginger Beer | Silver |
| Migra | Favolà Il Vento | Silver |
| Ginger Ale | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Clearer Twist | Clearer Twist Ginger Ale | Silver |
| Thomas Henry | Thomas Henry Ginger Ale | Silver |
| Hysope | Delicate Ginger Ale | Silver |
| Routin | Artonic Ginger Ale | Silver |
| Suntory Beverage & Food Europe | Schweppes Selection Ginger Ale & Intense Ginger | Silver |
| Cola | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| MBG International Premium Brands | Goldberg Premium Cola | Silver |
| Syrup – Fruit Based | ||
| Company | Product | Medal |
| Shake-it Group | Shake-It Mixer Lime | Master |
| Shake-it Group | Shake-It Mixer Mango | Gold |
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