For a brunch where several guests will share the same mixer, start by estimating how much tonic or soda they will use and consider a large bottle. Add smaller portions when guests want different mixers or a particular flavour pairing; otherwise, opened bottles may be left over.
If several guests are likely to use the same tonic or soda, a shared bottle may be simpler than opening a separate portion for every drink. Tesco Groceries lists its Indian Tonic Water in a 1-litre bottle; estimate demand before deciding how many bottles to buy.
If a particular tonic is part of the planned serve, check its ingredients and flavour description rather than choosing by pack size alone. Fentimans describes herbal infusions, Sicilian lemon oil and lemongrass in its Premium Indian Tonic.
Standard, slimline and light variants are distinct products. If guests have different preferences, check the exact pack labels and nutrition panels before choosing which varieties to serve.
Plan the likely drinks first, then choose a shared bottle for a mixer several people want and smaller portions for alternatives.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Quantity | Count the planned drinks and compare pack volumes. Check whether guests will share one mixer or choose different ones. | I am serving several people who are likely to use the same tonic or soda, so a shared bottle could cover repeated pours. |
| Serving format | Check the volume of each bottle or can, not just the number of units. Britvic describes its 330ml Indian tonic can as two serves; your pours may differ. | Guests may choose different drinks, and I would rather open smaller portions as they are needed. |
| Flavour | Read the description of the exact tonic and consider the drink it will accompany. Fentimans lists herbal infusions, Sicilian lemon oil and lemongrass in its Premium Indian Tonic. | A particular gin-and-tonic serve is planned, so the tonic’s stated flavour matters as well as its format. |
| Nutrition labels | Compare sugars and energy per 100ml on the exact products. Fentimans lists 3.4g sugars and 18 kcal per 100ml for Naturally Light Tonic Water. | I want guests to have a choice of tonic without assuming that every product labelled light or slimline has the same nutrition values. |
Flavour descriptions and nutrition values belong to specific products. Fentimans describes botanical and citrus ingredients in its Premium Indian Tonic, while its Naturally Light tonic has its own stated nutrition values.
Check the exact variant’s ingredients and per-100ml panel if either flavour or sugars affects your choice.
A shared bottle is useful when several guests want the same mixer, but less useful if each variety is opened for only a few pours.
Choose the likely shared mixer first, then consider smaller portions for alternatives that fewer guests may want.
Several partly used bottles can leave mixers to store after brunch; follow each pack’s storage instructions.
These brand references describe particular tonic formats and variants; check the product you intend to serve rather than treating a brand’s whole range as interchangeable.
An own-label option for a shared tonic bottle.
A branded tonic range with shared-bottle and smaller-portion options.
Tonic options for hosts choosing particular variants in smaller portions.
A tonic range with botanical ingredients described by the manufacturer.
An Indian tonic option in portioned cans.
These tonic multipacks offer smaller portions for a brunch where guests may want different variants. Check each pack size against the number of drinks you plan to make.
Image unavailable
The 15 × 150ml format provides smaller tonic portions for planned mixed drinks. Check the nutrition panel if guests are choosing between light and other tonic variants.
Image unavailable
This 12 × 150ml pack gives guests smaller portions of the Slimline variant. Check its ingredient and nutrition labels if those details matter to your group.
Image unavailable
The 8 × 150ml pack offers smaller portions when a Mediterranean tonic is part of the planned serve. Compare the exact variant’s label with any other tonic you intend to offer.
Image unavailable
This standard Indian tonic comes in a 12 × 150ml pack for smaller pours at brunch. Confirm whether the individual units are cans or bottles if that affects how you plan to serve them.
Image unavailable
The 24 × 200ml pack provides portions for a group considering this tonic variant. Check the exact nutrition panel rather than treating the word Skinny as a defined sugar amount.
Choose a large bottle when several guests are likely to share the same mixer; choose smaller portions when they want different variants. Estimate the drinks you will make before deciding how many packs to open.
Britvic describes each 330ml Indian tonic can as two serves. The number of drinks you make from one can depends on your planned pour and glass size.
No. Check the per-100ml panel on each exact product: Fentimans lists 3.4g sugars and 18 kcal per 100ml for its Naturally Light Tonic Water, figures that should not be applied to other variants.
Check the date label and the pack’s storage instructions, particularly if bottles may remain unopened until the brunch or partly used afterwards. The Food Standards Agency distinguishes between best-before and use-by dates; follow the wording on the individual product.