Light tonic water has been a thing for quite some time. It’s caught on with two distinct audiences. One, who is watching calories. The other— gin and tonic drinkers who prefer a less sweet tonic.
I’ll admit to being one of the latter. I really enjoy the way a little less sugar allows the gin to seemingly shine, with more botanical sweetness coming through.
Bombay Sapphire’s Gin and Light Tonic combines Bombay Sapphire, with lower calorie tonic, as an alternative to their full sweetness canned Gin and Tonic.
However, it’s still 90/8.45 oz serving (though they point out that it is 92% lower in carbohydrates), largely due to the calories per ounce of gin.
Tasting notes
Aroma: Gentle lemon and a hint of juniper. It is quite similar to their full calorie gin and tonic.
Flavor: Tight effervescence, largely concentrated early, it has good lasting power— especially compared to many others.
But flavor wise, it’s all about the sweetener. It comes on so aggressively that it overshadows nearly the entire palate. Some terpey, piney notes are present; however, it’s hard to appreciate the flavor of Bombay Sapphire here. The only respite from the sweetener is a pleasant, clean bitterness on the finish.
Overall, Bombay Sapphire Gin and Light Tonic
If you have to avoid carbohydrates, your options are limited. I understand it can be difficult. However, Bombay Sapphire Gin and Light Tonic comes up short— the gin is completely overpowered by the alternative sweetener. You just can’t taste any of the things that make Bombay Sapphire, Bombay Sapphire here.
Further, it’s a disappointment because the full calorie Bombay Sapphire Gin and Tonic is actually quite well executed.
If you’re watching carbs, my advice to you is to buy a bottle of Bombay Sapphire and a good light tonic, or soda water. Ultimately, it’s a disappointment— one that does a disservice to those who are choosing alternative sweeteners. Less, sometimes is more.