For several weeks in February and March 2026, something unusual happened in the premium mixer aisle: Fever-Tree's flagship Indian Tonic Water was conspicuously absent from shelves across the UK and parts of Europe. What appeared initially as a routine supply blip turned out to be a more significant disruption, rooted in geopolitical complications affecting the global quinine supply chain.
The Quinine Factor
Approximately sixty per cent of the world's pharmaceutical-grade quinine comes from the Democratic Republic of Congo, with significant quantities also sourced from Indonesia and Peru. In January 2026, export restrictions imposed by the Congolese government — aimed at capturing more processing value domestically — temporarily reduced the volume of raw cinchona bark available to international buyers. This sent quinine prices up by roughly forty per cent in a matter of weeks.
Fever-Tree, which prides itself on sourcing high-quality quinine from the eastern Congo, was among the brands most directly affected. A spokesperson for the company confirmed that "temporary supply constraints in our quinine sourcing" led to reduced production at their manufacturing partner's facility in the UK, resulting in limited availability of several products.
The Wider Impact
Fever-Tree was not alone. Several premium mixer brands, including East Imperial and Merchant's Heart, reported similar challenges. Schweppes, which uses a blend of natural and synthetic quinine, was less affected, and some industry observers noted an uptick in Schweppes premium line sales during the shortage period.
For gin producers, the tonic shortage highlighted an uncomfortable dependency. "Gin and tonic is the serve that drives the majority of our sales," said the marketing director of a mid-sized Scottish distillery. "When there's no tonic on the shelf, our gin stays on the shelf too. It's a vulnerability we hadn't fully appreciated."
Resolution and Response
The situation has largely normalised as of early March. The Congolese government relaxed its export restrictions following diplomatic pressure from several European governments and trade bodies. Quinine prices have retreated, though they remain approximately fifteen per cent above pre-crisis levels. Fever-Tree confirmed that production has returned to full capacity and that UK retail availability should be fully restored by mid-March.
However, the episode has prompted several companies to diversify their quinine sourcing. Fever-Tree announced a new partnership with a Peruvian cinchona cooperative, while East Imperial has accelerated plans to source from plantation-grown cinchona in Java.
Lessons for the Industry
The tonic shortage is a reminder that the gin ecosystem extends well beyond the distillery. The quality of a gin and tonic depends on both halves of the equation, and disruptions at any point in the supply chain — from Congolese cinchona forests to UK bottling lines — can have outsized effects on the final consumer experience.
It also raises questions about the mixer market's concentration. Fever-Tree commands roughly thirty per cent of the UK premium mixer market, and its temporary absence left a gap that competitors were not always able to fill at short notice. Some retailers have since expanded their mixer ranges to reduce single-brand dependency.
For consumers, the practical advice is straightforward: the tonic is back. Your gin and tonic is safe. But the next time you pour a Fever-Tree over ice, it may be worth reflecting on the remarkable journey that quinine takes to reach your glass — and how fragile that journey can be.
