Tonic Water vs Cola: Calories and Nutrition Compared (2026)

Tonic water has 34 calories and 0 g of protein, while cola has 42 calories and 0 g of protein. Tonic water is lower in calories.

Tonic water and cola are popular soft drinks with distinct flavors and nutritional profiles. This comparison looks at their calorie, carbohydrate, and sugar content to help you understand their differences.

What Is the Difference Between Tonic Water and Cola?

Tonic water is a carbonated beverage that contains water, carbon dioxide, and quinine, which gives it a bitter flavor. It is often used as a mixer in cocktails. Cola is a sweetened carbonated drink flavored with caramel, caffeine, and other flavorings. It is widely consumed as a standalone beverage or mixer.

Tonic Water vs Cola: Nutrition Side by Side

Below is a side-by-side comparison of tonic water and cola, highlighting their nutritional values per 100 g.

Nutrient (per 100 g)	Tonic water	Cola (regular)
Calories	34 kcal	42 kcal
Protein	0 g	0 g
Carbs	8.8 g	10.4 g
Sugar	8.8 g	9.9 g
Fat	0 g	0 g
Fiber	0 g	0 g
Sodium	12 mg	3 mg

Which Is Better, Tonic Water or Cola?

For weight loss: Tonic water has 34 calories, while cola has 42 calories, making tonic water the lower-calorie option.

For muscle and protein: Both tonic water and cola contain 0 g of protein, so neither is beneficial for muscle building.

For low-carb or low-sugar: Tonic water has 8.8 g of carbs and 8.8 g of sugar, while cola has 10.4 g of carbs and 9.9 g of sugar, making tonic water lower in both.

How to Track Tonic water and Cola Accurately

It's easy to misjudge portion sizes and macros in beverages, which can affect overall intake. Nutrola is an AI nutrition tracking app that identifies foods from a photo and returns calories and macros from a database of more than 1.8 million foods. It also supports barcode scanning and voice logging. Nutrola is available from EUR 2.50 per month and shows no ads on any tier.

How We Compiled These Numbers

The numbers provided are rounded reference values for educational use and should not be considered medical advice. Always consult a healthcare provider for dietary recommendations. Values are per 100 g from USDA FoodData Central.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Which has more protein?

Both tonic water and cola contain 0 g of protein.

Which has fewer calories?

Tonic water has 34 calories, while cola has 42 calories.

What is the sugar content of tonic water?

Tonic water contains 8.8 g of sugar per 100 g.

What is the sugar content of cola?

Cola contains 9.9 g of sugar per 100 g.

How many carbs are in tonic water?

Tonic water has 8.8 g of carbs per 100 g.

How many carbs are in cola?

Cola has 10.4 g of carbs per 100 g.

Key Takeaways

• Tonic water has 34 calories per 100 g.
• Cola has 42 calories per 100 g.
• Both beverages contain 0 g of protein.
• Tonic water has 8.8 g of sugar per 100 g.
• Cola has 9.9 g of sugar per 100 g.
• Tonic water has 8.8 g of carbs per 100 g.