Calories in Tonic Water: Nutrition Facts & Serving Sizes
Per 1 fl oz (31g)
Per 100g
Source: USDA FoodData Central, SR Legacy, March 2026.
One 12 fl oz can of tonic water (366g) contains about 124 calories with zero protein, 32.2g of carbs, and zero fat. Per 100g, tonic water provides 34 calories, all from sugar (8.8g per 100g). Tonic water looks similar to club soda or sparkling water but is very different nutritionally. It contains quinine for its characteristic bitter taste, along with added sugars. A full 12 oz can has 32.2g of sugar, comparable to a regular soda. The sodium content is moderate at 12mg per 100g. For anyone counting calories, tonic water is one of the most misleading drinks at a bar or grocery store. It appears to be a light mixer but carries the same sugar load as regular soda. If you mix it with a spirit, add the calories together: a gin and tonic with 1.5 oz of gin and 4 oz of tonic water adds up to about 130 to 145 calories.
Nutrition Highlights
Calories by Serving Size
| Serving | Cal | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Fiber |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 fl oz (31g) | 10.4 | 0g | 2.7g | 0g | 0g |
| 1 can or bottle (12 fl oz) (366g) | 124.4 | 0g | 32.2g | 0g | 0g |
| 1 can or bottle (16 fl oz) (488g) | 165.9 | 0g | 42.9g | 0g | 0g |
| 1 bottle (11 fl oz) (336g) | 114.2 | 0g | 29.6g | 0g | 0g |
| 100g | 34 | 0g | 8.8g | 0g | 0g |
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Full Nutrition Facts (per 100g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calories | 34 | 2% |
| Protein | 0g | |
| Total Fat | 0g | |
| Total Carbohydrates | 8.8g | 3% |
| Dietary Fiber | 0g | |
| Sugars | 8.8g | 18% |
| Sodium | 12mg | 1% |
Vitamins & Minerals (per 100g)
| Nutrient | Amount | % Daily Value |
|---|---|---|
| Calcium | 1mg | 0% |
| Zinc | 0.1mg | 1% |
% Daily Values based on a 2,000 calorie diet (FDA reference).
Health Benefits of Tonic Water
Tonic water provides no meaningful health benefits from a nutritional standpoint. It contains no protein, no fat, no fiber, and essentially no vitamins or minerals beyond trace amounts of calcium (1mg per 100g). All of the calories come from added sugar.
The quinine in tonic water was historically used to treat malaria, and some people drink tonic water for leg cramps. However, the quinine content in commercial tonic water is far too low (about 83mg per liter in the US, regulated by the FDA) to have any therapeutic effect on cramps. Clinical trials for quinine in leg cramps have used doses of 200 to 500mg, far above what tonic water provides.
From a fitness perspective, tonic water is essentially a sugar delivery vehicle. The 32.2g of sugar in a 12 oz can contributes to your daily sugar intake with no nutritional payoff. If you are training and tracking your diet, tonic water should be treated the same as regular soda.
For those who enjoy the bitter flavor profile of tonic water in cocktails, diet tonic water (zero-calorie, sweetened with artificial sweeteners) is a lower-calorie option that preserves the taste without the sugar load.
Dietary Considerations
Tonic water is gluten-free, vegan, and dairy-free. It is not suitable for keto or low-carb diets due to its high sugar content (8.8g per 100g, 32.2g per 12 oz can). For weight loss, tonic water should be avoided or swapped for diet tonic water. If you drink gin and tonics or vodka tonics regularly, switching to diet tonic water can save you 100 to 125 calories per drink with no noticeable difference in taste to most people. People with certain medical conditions are advised to avoid quinine, so check with a doctor if you consume large amounts of tonic water regularly.
Daily Intake (100g)
100g of tonic water provides 2% of a 2,000-calorie diet.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How many calories in tonic water?
A 12 fl oz can of tonic water (366g) contains about 124 calories. Per 100g, tonic water has 34 calories. A 4 oz pour (about 120ml) over ice has roughly 40 calories. All the calories in tonic water come from added sugar.
Is tonic water good for weight loss?
No, tonic water is not useful for weight loss. It is essentially sugar water with no protein, fat, or fiber to make you feel full. The 32.2g of sugar in a 12 oz can is similar to regular soda. Choose diet tonic water, club soda, or sparkling water instead if you are cutting calories.
How much sugar is in tonic water?
Tonic water contains 8.8g of sugar per 100g. A 12 fl oz can contains about 32.2g of sugar, which is comparable to a can of regular cola. This is a significant amount of added sugar with zero nutritional benefit.
What is the difference between tonic water and sparkling water?
Sparkling water (plain carbonated water or club soda) has zero calories and zero sugar. Tonic water contains added sugar and quinine, giving it a slightly sweet, bitter taste. The calorie difference is significant: tonic water has 34 calories per 100g while sparkling water has essentially zero. Do not confuse the two when counting calories.
Does tonic water help with leg cramps?
The quinine in commercial tonic water is too low in concentration (regulated at about 83mg per liter in the US) to have a proven therapeutic effect on leg cramps. Clinical studies on quinine for cramps use doses of 200 to 500mg, far above what tonic water provides. Do not rely on tonic water as a cramp remedy.
How many calories in a gin and tonic?
A gin and tonic with 1.5 oz (44ml) of gin and 4 oz (118ml) of regular tonic water contains approximately 130 to 145 calories. About 40 of those calories come from the tonic water. Switching to diet tonic water saves roughly 40 calories per drink while keeping the same flavor profile.
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