FAQs

We prefer to think of this as “of course, whey!” Whey is the by-product of cheese and yogurt production. We exclusively use whey from strained yogurt manufacturing. It is the delicious liquid that remains after milk has been acidified, curdled and strained to give you your cup of Greek-style yogurt. For thousands of years, people have known that whey contains billions of probiotics, vitamins and minerals that support gut health, boost the body’s immune response, and ensure that you remain hydrated.

We source all our whey from The White Moustache yogurt company in Red Hook, Brooklyn. We fell in love with their yogurt and their whey more than 6 years ago and are committed to finding innovative uses for all of the whey they produce.

Spare Tonic is crafted, brewed and canned on the banks of the Hudson River in Peekskill, NY at River Outpost Brewing, part of Captain Lawrence Brewing Co.

Yes. The primary ingredient in Spare Tonic is whey which is the by-product of yogurt manufacturing. While it may not look like a traditional dairy product, whey is 100% dairy-derived.

Spare Tonic does contain a small amount of lactose so if you are truly lactose intolerant, you probably shouldn’t drink it. That said, much of the lactose that occurs naturally in whey gets consumed during the fermentation process and as is true for many fermented dairy products, the lactose in whey is more easily digestible than in milk (likely because of the probiotic profile of the drink).

Spare Tonic is not organic. Where possible, we strive to source local and organic ingredients and you will see more organic ingredients used in Spare Tonic over time. Our whey is produced from small batch yogurt made with milk from family farms in the Hudson Valley. All of our products are Non-GMO.

Yes and no! Like kombucha, Spare Tonic is a mildly acidic, effervescent fermented beverage. Unlike kombucha, Spare Tonic is made with fermented whey, not sweetened tea. It is also naturally richer in protein, vitamins and electrolytes than kombucha. Oh, and Spare Tonic is a much more sustainable drink.

Lactic Acid Bacteria (LABs) are a group of beneficial bacteria that consume sugars and produce lactic acid as a by-product of their metabolism. LABs are especially important for digestive health and immune support. LABs are commonly used in the food industry in the production of cheese, yogurt and other fermented foods.

To balance the natural acidity of whey and fruit, we add a little honey to Spare Tonic. Not only are we fans of its distinct natural flavor, but we also love the health benefits that honey brings to the party - trace amounts of antioxidants, vitamins and minerals. You can’t say that about most other sweeteners out there. And we also want to do whatever we can to support the local honey bee industry and all the miraculous and essential benefits that pollinators provide. That's what we call a good sugar!

Spare Tonic should always be kept refrigerated. You’ll get the best flavors and drinking experience when enjoyed chilled!