SO DO THESE POSH MIXERS REALLY PERK THINGS UP?

FEVER-TREE has a host of rivals in the exploding market for swanky tonic. But are they really worth splashing out on? Drinks expert HELEN McGINN pops open a bottle of very nice gin and puts some of the biggest contenders to the test...

MERCHANT’S HEART

Classic Tonic Water £1.35 per 200ml, Ocado Clean and crisp on the nose but it falls flat on the tongue. The bubbles didn’t last long, leaving a cloying sensation in the mouth. Merchant’s Heart? I was left a little broken-hearted.

FRANKLIN & SONS

Indian Tonic Water 68p per 200ml, Sainsbury’s With Staffordshire spring water, natural quinine extract and sweetened with sugar, this does what it’s supposed to do – support the gin, not mask it.

FOLKINGTON’S

Indian Tonic Water 68p per 200ml, Ocado Folksy product from Sussex-based producer delivers soft bubbles with a gently bitter aftertaste. A straightforward, simple take on tonic.

BTW

Tonic Water £1.04 per 200ml, masterofmalt.com Get past the slightly offputting colour (it looks like wee) and there’s a punchy tonic in there. It’s more bitter than most. Good choice if you like strong juniper-y gins.

LUSCOMBE

Elderflower Tonic Water £1.20 per 200ml, iceandaslice.co.uk A summery tonic to add a touch of floral flavour to your gin. Light, fresh and delicately tinged with unmistakable earthy elderflower flavour. Marvellous.

THE LONDON ESSENCE CO

Classic London Tonic Water 87p per 200ml, Waitrose Nicely packaged, but unfortunately what’s inside didn’t meet expectations. Flat on flavour, even with added juniper and citrusy twist. A case of style over substance.

EAST IMPERIAL

Yuzu Tonic Water £1.67 per 200ml, Amazon Made in New Zealand using extracts from an Asian citrus fruit called yuzu. It’s really citrusy with a streak of lime that definitely cuts through the gin.

DOUBLE DUTCH

Indian Tonic Water 81p per 200ml, thedrinkshop.com Created by Dutch twins Joyce and Raissa. Love the citrus twist (it’s flavoured with pink grapefruit and juniper), but could do with stepping up the bubbles.

FENTIMAN’S

Premium Indian Tonic Water 72p per 200ml, Waitrose Disappointed with this one, as I’m a fan of other things in their range. Sour and flat, it covers up the gin flavours. It also left an unwanted bitter taste.

SCHWEPPES

1783 Salty Lemon Tonic Water 63p per 200ml, Ocado Makes up for the plain tonic water in the Schweppes premium 1783 range. Unusual salty tang covers up that slightly chemical taste of the plain version.