Fever-Tree has a richly deserved reputation as the producer of some of the finest artisanal mixers in the business. Its Indian Tonic Water, Ginger Beer, and Ginger Ale are all top notch.

Now Fever-Tree is expanding its tonic water portfolio with a new spin: Mediterranean Tonic Water, which is made “using the most authentic strain of quinine and the finest lemon oils from Sicily as well as thyme, geranium, rosemary and mandarin [from the Mediterranean], we have created a delicious new taste experience.” I compared the new product (blue label) to the original “Premium Indian Tonic Water” (gold label).  (Fever-Tree also sells a light Indian Tonic Water and a Bitter Lemon (aka Lemon Tonic) product.)

Comparing the two side by side, the differences are marked. The original is marked by quinine’s bitterness, with a citrus punch to back it up. It has a mild sweetness to counter the strongly bitter character, a very classic tonic water. (Rating of the original: A)

The new Mediterranean Tonic Water dials down the bitterness and subs in lemon for the orange in the original. The herbal character here — rosemary and thyme, but more toward lemongrass with all that lemon oil character — is heavier on the nose than in the body. But the sum total here is as equally powerful and refreshing as the original version, only different.

Final analysis: Go with the original/Indian with gin. Choose Mediterranean with vodka. Or whichever one you prefer with either, really.

A / $5.69 for four-pack of 6.8-oz. bottles [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]

Fever-Tree Mediterranean Tonic Water

$5.69

9.5

Rating

9.5/10

BUY IT NOW