Start with a neutral sparkling drink such as soda water for a christening party, then add classic tonic if guests are likely to make gin, vodka or other spirit serves. A flavoured tonic can be a smaller additional choice, but its distinctive taste and tonic’s quinine bitterness make neither a substitute for a broader selection of non-alcoholic drinks.
Plan drinks that do not assume everyone wants a spirit mixer. Plyvine Catering describes christenings as family gatherings spanning children to grandparents; a neutral sparkling choice gives guests another option alongside tonic.
Choose tonic with the planned spirits in mind. Fever-Tree suggests its Indian tonic for gin, vodka and vermouth, while Fentimans describes pairing a mixer with, or contrasting it against, a spirit’s flavour.
Compare the exact bottles or cans rather than relying on the word “tonic”. Ingredient lists and per-100-ml nutrition panels help guests distinguish sugar, sweeteners and quinine between products.
Choose the drinks that will work across the guest list before deciding which tonic styles and pack formats to add.
| Priority | What to check | Your needs |
|---|---|---|
| Neutral sparkling choice | Check whether soda water or another plain sparkling drink suits the drinks plan; keep citrus or cordial separate if guests may want to add flavour. | I want a sparkling option for guests who do not want tonic or a spirit mixer. |
| Classic tonic | Check the planned spirits and the tonic’s ingredients, including quinine. Consider whether individual cans or a larger bottle fit the number of serves. | There will be guests making gin, vodka or other drinks with tonic, but it will not be the only refreshment. |
| Flavoured tonic | Check the flavour against the spirits being served and retain a plainer alternative. Fentimans describes matching or contrasting its mixers with a chosen spirit. | I would like one fruit-led or botanical choice without committing the whole drinks table to that flavour. |
| Nutrition and ingredients | Compare sugars and calories per 100 ml on the exact pack, then read the ingredient list for quinine and sweeteners. “Light” and “slimline” do not describe one shared formula. | Some guests may prefer a particular tonic formulation, so I want them to be able to check the label themselves. |
| Pack and storage | Check the number and volume of cans or bottles, plus the product’s instructions after opening. | I need enough serves while avoiding more opened bottles than the gathering is likely to use. |
| Allergen information | Keep the original packaging available for ingredient checks. GOV.UK says prepacked drinks containing any of the 14 regulated allergens must identify them in the ingredients list. | Guests who need to check ingredients should be able to see the label rather than rely on a description of a poured drink. |
Tonic’s quinine flavour and role as a spirit mixer will not suit every guest at a mixed-age christening gathering.
Include a neutral non-alcoholic sparkling drink, then add tonic according to the spirit serves you expect.
Formulas differ even between standard tonics. Joybuy lists 8.0 g sugars and 36 kcal per 100 ml for Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water 8 x 150 ml, compared with 4.9 g sugars and 21 kcal per 100 ml for Schweppes Indian Tonic Water 1 L; the latter also lists sodium saccharin.
Compare the ingredient and nutrition panels of the exact packs you intend to serve.
A fruit or botanical flavour changes the drink and may not fit every planned spirit. Fentimans presents its flavoured tonics as options to match or contrast with a spirit’s flavour.
Confirm the spirit list before choosing a specialist tonic, and retain soda water or classic tonic for plainer serves.
Its tonic range includes Premium Indian, Refreshingly Light and several flavoured styles.
A reference for hosts considering classic tonic, slimline tonic or soda water.
Its mixer range includes classic tonic and fruit-led or botanical flavours.
Its grocery range provides own-label tonic and soda-water formats to consider.
Britvic identifies mixers in its drinks portfolio and describes Aqua Libra as an infused sparkling-water brand.
These tonic packs cover classic, slimline and flavoured choices for the spirit-mixer part of a christening drinks table. Add a neutral sparkling drink separately if that is part of your plan.
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For guests choosing a light-style Indian tonic with their planned spirit serves, this pack contains 15 individual 150 ml cans. It is tonic rather than a neutral sparkling drink; check the exact label for ingredients and nutrition.
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A slimline tonic option in 12 individual 150 ml cans for planned tonic serves. Check its ingredient and nutrition panels for guests with particular preferences, and offer a separate neutral sparkling choice.
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A Mediterranean-style tonic to consider as an additional flavour choice once the planned spirit serves are clear. The pack contains eight 150 ml cans; keep a plainer sparkling option for guests who do not want this style.
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A classic tonic option in eight 150 ml cans for guests making spirit serves. Joybuy lists quinine, 36 kcal and 8.0 g sugars per 100 ml for this pack; it does not replace a neutral sparkling drink.
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A classic Indian tonic in 12 individual 150 ml cans for planned tonic serves. Check this pack’s ingredient and nutrition label when comparing it with other formulations, and provide another sparkling option for guests who do not want tonic.
No. Tonic has a distinctive quinine flavour and is commonly selected for spirit serves, so include a neutral sparkling drink and other non-alcoholic refreshments for guests who would prefer something else.
Choose 150 ml cans if you want to open mixer for individual serves. A 1 litre bottle may suit repeated serves of the same drink; check the specific product’s storage instructions after opening.
Keep the original packaging available so guests can read the ingredients list. GOV.UK says prepacked drinks containing any of the 14 regulated allergens must clearly identify them in that list.
Follow the instructions for the exact product. Joybuy’s Fever-Tree Indian Tonic Water 8 x 150 ml listing says to refrigerate it after opening and consume it within three days for best quality; its Fentimans Pink Rhubarb Tonic Water 500 ml listing also specifies refrigeration and consumption within three days.