Schweppes Slimline Tonic Water with Lemon Zest is a UK specific low calorie tonic version of Schweppes full calorie Tonic Water. However, that addition of lemon juice makes this perhaps a hybrid, slightly bitter lemon in spirit.
This is a particularly low— but not zero calorie tonic water. For 250 mL Schweppes Slimline Tonic Water with Lemon Zest has about 5 calories. This comes from the minute amount of lemon juice in this tonic.
Tasting Notes
Poured it forms a robust head of foam, with medium sized bubbles popping rather quickly. Only a few adhere to the sides of the glass.
The nose has a distinctive 7up aroma— clear citrus and lemon.
The palate has a pleasing amount of bubbles to it. There’s a nice texture to Schweppes Slimline Tonic Water, especially on the tip of the tongue as it enters the mouth. Mid-palate is rather clean with only a slight citrus flavor to it. The metallic note of aspartame is present, but subtle. The quinine comes in at the right moment to balance it out. The finish is clean and gently, slightly bitter.
I then mixed up a gin and tonic with Master’s London Dry Gin. And I found it to have a rather impressive balance that I didn’t expect. The fizz adds a pleasing texture at the beginning; citrus and juniper notes come next, and the finish is clean, mildly sweet and balanced with quinine, bitter orange and piney juniper nuance. It’s a solid gin and tonic.
Overall
I mean as for your take on Aspartame the sweetener in Schweppes Slimline Tonic Water with Lemon Zest, It’s really up to you whether that’s something you’re into drinking or not. I won’t weigh in on that—
However, based solely on the taste of Schweppes Slimline Tonic Water, the way it works with gin, and the category (which is Low Calorie Tonic, so the grade is on that curve, make note)… I have to say Schweppes Slimline Tonic Water with Lemon Zest is among the best truly-close-to-zero-calorie-tonic-waters I’ve had. While there’s plenty of other tonic waters that merely dial down the amount of sugar in it this one goes for a full sugar flavor using an alternative sweetener.
While I’m not a fan of the flavor of alternative sweeteners in general, If I had to pick one low calorie tonic of the bunch to actually drink a G&T with— this would be it. It’s the best of a difficult category.
Recommended in its category.