With a name like Regatta, it should be no surprise that Regatta Mixers is now the official craft mixers of U.S. Sailing. Affinity Beverages out of New York re-launched the Regatta brand in 2019 with sharp, clean labels and a strong lifestyle associated brand.
But more importantly— rather than competing within a crowded standard tonic water space, Regatta’s flagship tonic water is a dry citrus sparkling tonic. Regatta Citrus uses natural sweetener like cane sugar and comes in at a relatively modest 50 calories per 8.5 oz. can.
Tasting Notes
Regatta Dry Citrus Sparkling Tonic has a robust bubbling effervescence when poured. Medium to small bubbles appear in good number.
The nose is a little bit candied citrus. Regatta Dry Citrus Sparkling Tonic begins with a strong likeness of orange Skittles. It’s quite sweet smelling— even surprisingly so because the label says “dry citrus.”
Sipped on its own, the citrus notes still read as a bit sweet and slightly candied. I’d say it’s a bit more dialed down on the palate. Whereas the nose is Skittles, the palate might be candied orange zest.
But despite the fact that the citrus has a candy overtone to it, Regatta Dry Citrus Sparkling Tonic is not all that sweet. Whereas the citrus comes on early, the mid-palate and finish is dominated by a bold and assertive wave of quinine and bitterness.
On its own, it cleans the palate and leaves a pleasant, but widespread dry astringency to the palate.
Regatta Dry Citrus Sparkling Tonic and Empress 1908 Gin
First off, yes Empress 1908 Gin turns pink. But more importantly, the tonic water adds some lightness and brightness— at least mid-palate that gives a better, more whole citrus flavor.
It has a pleasant, if slightly stronger quinine flavor than many other brands in this space. Regatta Dry Citrus Sparkling Tonic has a bitterness more akin to Q Tonic than it does Fever Tree or Schweppes for example.
Overall, Regatta Dry Citrus Sparkling Tonic
Regatta Dry Citrus Sparkling Tonic is a clean citrus-forward tonic water for people who like a lot of bitterness in their tonic waters. Whereas Fever Tree has a citrus tonic that brings their approach of effervescence and bitterness to the citrus-scene; Q Tonic doesn’t have a citrus tonic water.
In other words, Regatta Dry Citrus Sparkling Tonic may be the citrus tonic water for fans of Q Tonic.
Recommended in its category.