Fentimans Tonic Waters’ are all botanically brewed, including their flagship Fentimans Tonic Water. Fentimans Pink Grapefruit Tonic Water is no different in that regard. It’s also flavored by ruby red grapefruit juice (<1% by volume); however, that’s not the sole flavoring.
It also includes orange and regular grapefruit among its flavorings, along with some of Fentimans’ usual fermented botanical extracts including juniper, Makrut lime leaves and lemongrass. Sweetened with regular sugar, Fentimans Pink Grapefruit Tonic Water is also gently pink in color, to match its signature ingredient.
Tasting Notes
Poured, there’s an intense eruption of bubbles from Fentimans Pink Grapefruit Tonic Water forming a gigantic momentary head. It quickly dissipates leaving a fair amount of medium-to-large sized bubbles adhering to both the bottoms and sides of the glass.
Citrus on the nose, the palate is brightly citrus flavored with a big note of fresh pink grapefruit flesh. Fentimans Pink Grapefruit Tonic Water surely delivers on its signature touch, with plenty of juniper. But where I think it shines is in the clean bitterness from the quinine that rises in lockstep with the pink grapefruit notes.
Towards the back end notes of lemongrass become more prominent. Medium length finish with a crisp, medium-bitter profile.
Mixed with Faber Gin, Fentimans Pink Grapefruit Tonic Water adds a gentle lift of grapefruit. It doesn’t overpower the gin with intense notes of grapefruit. Despite being a signature flavor tonic water, Fentimans only adds; it doesn’t compete with the gin for top billing. I get a nice juniper note, with orange and lemon notes mid-palate, with red grapefruit flesh coming in right before the finish. Pleasant quinine bitterness that is not too intense.
Overall
Fentimans Pink Grapefruit Tonic Water is a nicely balanced flavored tonic water. The pink color might be off-putting to some, but the flavor is spot on. It’s a good complementary tonic water for those looking for some additional citrus in their next Gin and Tonic.
Bonus: my favorite way to enjoy Fentimans Pink Grapefruit Tonic Water was to add a squeeze of fresh lime and garnish with lime disc. The lime and grapefruit combination was delightful.
Recommended in its category.