Thomas Henry is a German premium brand for tonic water, ginger ale and other mixers, founded in Berlin in 2010. The name refers to the English pharmacist Thomas Henry, who in the 18th century was one of the pioneers of artificial mineral water production. The brand positions itself in the premium segment and is today a standard in many bars for high-quality long drinks and cocktails.
What Thomas Henry is
Thomas Henry is not a historical product, but a modern brand that consciously relies on tradition and craftsmanship. The range includes various tonic waters, ginger ale, ginger beer, bitter lemon, spicy ginger and other mixers. The recipes are designed for use in cocktails and long drinks, not for pure enjoyment. This means: less sweet, more carbonation, more pronounced flavors. According to the manufacturer, production in Germany is without artificial flavors, dyes or preservatives. The bottles are made of glass, mostly in 0.2-liter portions, which is practical in the bar.
How to recognize Thomas Henry
The bottles have a clear, simple design with a white label and black text. Each variety is color-coded – tonic water in blue, ginger ale in green, ginger beer in red and so on. The logo shows a stylized profile head, based on historical pharmacist illustrations. In the bar, you can immediately recognize the brand by its uniform look and the typical 0.2-liter bottle, which is exactly enough for one drink. The labels are kept simple, without much marketing clutter.
In the bar
In Germany, Thomas Henry has made a name for itself especially through Gin Tonic. The tonic water is dry, quinine-emphasized and less sweet than many mainstream products. This makes it a good partner for aromatic gins, without overpowering their botanicals. The ginger beer is also popular for Moscow Mule or Dark ‘n’ Stormy – it has a strong kick and ginger bite. The ginger ale is milder but works well in classic Highballs. In many bars, Thomas Henry is the standard choice when Fever-Tree is too expensive or Schweppes too simple. The 0.2-liter bottle fits well into the concept: one bottle, one drink, no leftovers.
Common misconceptions
Many guests believe Thomas Henry is an English traditional brand. It is not – the brand is less than ten years old and comes from Berlin. The historical Thomas Henry did exist, but has nothing to do with the current brand except for the name. Another misconception: Thomas Henry is automatically better than other mixers. It depends on the drink. For some cocktails, a sweeter tonic or a milder ginger ale might be the better choice. The brand is good, but not a cure-all. And: Thomas Henry is not a craft product in the sense of small-scale production – since 2016, the brand has belonged to the Schlumberger Group and is produced industrially.
Pair with
Frequently asked questions
Who is behind Thomas Henry?
The brand was founded in 2010 by entrepreneurs Thilo Kopsch and Jörg Meyer in Berlin. Since 2016, Thomas Henry has belonged to the Austrian Schlumberger Group, which is best known for its sparkling wine.
Is Thomas Henry really free of artificial additives?
According to the manufacturer, no artificial flavors, dyes or preservatives are used. The recipes are based on natural ingredients and quinine from the cinchona bark.
Which variety goes with which drink?
The tonic water is the classic for Gin Tonic, the ginger beer for Moscow Mule and Dark ‘n’ Stormy, the ginger ale for Whiskey Highball or Horse’s Neck. Spicy Ginger works well in exotic long drinks or as a Spritz base.
Why 0.2 liters instead of 0.33 liters?
The smaller bottle is tailored to the bar: one bottle makes exactly one long drink, so there are no leftovers and the carbonation doesn’t go flat. It’s practical and looks better on the table.
