That sharp, almost medicinal bitterness? That’s the quinine doing its thing. Historically, it was used to fight malaria. Today, it’s just there to make your cocktail feel sophisticated. Crazy, right? Seltzer would never pick a fight like that.
Seltzer is neutral. It doesn’t argue with your whiskey or insist on being the star. Tonic demands attention. It’s the difference between a handshake and a slap on the back. Which one do you want when you’re just thirsty?
