Why mix a premium gin with a poor quality tonic? That was the question that prompted the creation of Fever Tree, a small UK company pioneering a new drinks category of better quality tonic waters and mixers.

Those fussy about gin brands such as Bombay Sapphire or Tanqueray can now mix them with tonics made from real quinine (from the fever tree) and cane sugar, rather than saccharine sweeteners. Endorsement has come from no higher authority than Ferran Adrià of the celebrated restaurant El Bulli in Spain, who declared Fever Tree’s tonic “outstanding” and even created a dish around it. The company also produces a ginger beer made with three different types of ginger and a bitter lemon made with real lemons and quinine for more discerning tastes. Here in Ireland, the only stockists of Fever Tree mixers so far are Belfast’s Merchant Hotel and Deane’s Restaurant, but they may shortly be found in Dublin’s Fallon Byrne. www.fever-tree.com