A fizzy soft drink flavoured with quinine, tonic water, or Indian tonic water gains its name from the medicinal effects of this slightly bitter flavouring.
The quinine was added to the drink as a prophylactic against malaria, since it was originally intended for consumption in tropical areas of India and Africa where that disease is endemic.
Tonic water is often used as a mixer for alcoholic spirits, especially gin (the mixture commonly known as a gin and tonic).
