Tonic water, often an afterthought in the classic gin and tonic, plays a crucial role in the overall drinking experience. While some consumers grab any bargain bin store brand, others are devotees to upscale brands, insisting that only quality tonic will make for an enjoyable drink. Polar is a brand widely available in New England and the Northeastern United States that has a widely devoted following, in particular for their seltzers. Polar has been making seltzer since 1882. Their Tonic is widely available in markets where the Polar Brand is available. It’s priced comparatively low, often some place between Schweppes and Supermarket Brands. This article aims to explore the nuances of Polar Tonic Water, comparing it to other popular brands and evaluating its overall quality.
Polar Tonic Water: An Overview
Polar Tonic Water is a widely available option, particularly in the Northeastern United States, known for its seltzers. It is priced competitively, generally falling between Schweppes and supermarket brands. It is a sweeter, high fructose corn syrup tonic that occupies that middle ground as a safe tonic water stocked in most supermarkets. It’s not as low as you can go, and it’s not the best you can get.
Sensory Evaluation
The nose has a classic lime seltzer note to it. Pleasantly lime with a tart citric acid tang, no sweetness detectable. The water has a low to moderate bubble density, with a small-to-medium size. The mouth-feel has a pleasant burst to it, but it’s noticeably less fizzy than some other brands. The flavor is crisp and clean with a well balanced lime and then clean quinine bitterness.
Mixing with Gin
Mixed with gin, Polar Tonic Water with Lime adds a pleasant lime note to the finish. The lime note reminds me of the lime you get from Rose’s Lime Juice, more so than that of fresh lime. Which I think is why it actually seems to work here. Polar Tonic Water With Lime isn’t going to be served in any expensive cocktail bars anytime soon; however, for a supermarket brand that has lime natural flavor added, it works well with most gins.
Blind Taste Test Results
In a blind taste test, Polar Tonic Water performed respectably, securing the 4th position. The nose on Polar’s tonic is sweet and mildly fruity, suggesting a hint of Persian lime. On the palate it’s significantly more sweet and a little bit syrupy, being one of the heavier in the lineup, with lemon lime flavors that at least avoid the pitfall of seeming chemical or synthetic. Bitterness is moderate and well dialed in. All in all, it’s a bit forgettable but it absolutely gets the job done. Of the “extreme value” tonics, this is easily the best of the examples in this blind tasting.
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Strengths
- Availability: Widely available in the Northeastern United States.
- Price: Competitively priced, offering a good value.
- Flavor Profile: Crisp and clean with a balanced lime and quinine bitterness.
- Versatility: Works well with most gins, adding a pleasant lime note.
Weaknesses
- Fizz: Less fizzy than some other brands.
- Complexity: A bit forgettable, lacking the complexity of premium tonics.
- Sweetness: Can be a little bit syrupy for some palates.
Comparison with Other Tonic Water Brands
To provide a comprehensive review, it's essential to compare Polar Tonic Water with other popular brands in the market. A blind taste test was conducted, ranking various tonic waters from worst to best.
Bottom Tier: Blandness Prevails
- Publix Tonic Water: Ranked 8th, noted for its oppressive blandness, musty nose, and generic sweetness.
- Great Value (Walmart) Tonic Water: Ranked 7th, sharing the same failings as Publix, being aggressively bland and instantly forgettable.
Mid-Range: Acceptable but Not Exceptional
- Schweppes Tonic Water: Ranked 6th, known for its lemon-lime flavor with a tinge of artificiality.
- Q Spectacular Tonic Water: Ranked 5th, a drier tonic with a slight gingery tone but lacking distinct character.
Top Tier: Standout Performers
- Canada Dry Tonic Water: Ranked 3rd, similar to Schweppes but with a more genuine flavor profile and bolder sweetness and bitterness.
- Fever Tree Premium Indian Tonic Water: Ranked 2nd, known for its quality ingredients, spicy and complex nose, and layered palate with spice and herbaceous notes.
- Navy Hill Soda + Tonic: Ranked 1st, a blend of club soda and tonic, offering a complex and nuanced flavor with floral hints and fresh ginger notes.
The Great Tonic Water Debate: Does Price Matter?
The blind tasting revealed a clear distinction between budget-priced supermarket brands and premium tonics.
Supermarket Brands: Economical but Lacking
Supermarket brands like Publix and Great Value fell short due to their blandness and lack of distinct flavors. These tonics may be suitable for those seeking an affordable option without particular taste preferences.
Mainstream Brands: A Balanced Approach
Brands like Schweppes and Canada Dry offer a balance between price and flavor. They are widely available and provide a recognizable tonic taste, making them a popular choice for everyday G&Ts. I think it is the most subtle of the big 3 supermarket brands (Canada Dry and Schweppes being the other 2 and therefore, it might be hit or miss on most people’s palette. So where does it sit? Well, squarely in the middle. If you’ve ever had a tonic before, you’ll pretty much know what Polar has to offer.
Premium Brands: A Superior Experience
Premium brands like Fever Tree and Navy Hill prioritize quality ingredients and complex flavor profiles. While they come at a higher price point, they offer a more refined and enjoyable drinking experience, particularly for those who appreciate the nuances of a well-crafted G&T.
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