When it comes to bubbly water, there are endless options available in the grocery store. But what really is the difference between sparkling water, seltzer water, and soda water? This guide is here to help you break down the bubbles and pick the best bubbly water for your next beverage!
With over a decade of experience making drinks at home, I’m no stranger to the fun a bubbly beverage brings to a gathering! My favorite way to use sparkling waters is by adding a fresh fruit infused simple syrup to craft a homemade soda pop. Even a regular day at home can be elevated by the right sparkling drink, like a seasonal candy cane soda during a holiday movie marathon or a refreshing Italian sparkling lemonade on a hot day! In fact, Italian sodas are community favorites here on the blog!
But the base of any good carbonated refreshment starts with understanding the different types of carbonated water. Because not all bubbly water is created equal, and adding the wrong kind of water to your cocktail recipes can lead to less than desirable results. Obviously, these fizzy drinks are different than regular water, also called still water, but each kind of effervescent water has its own variations, whether it’s the level of carbonation, added ingredients, or additional minerals in the water!
🤨 what is bubbly water?
🫧 carbonated. Unlike regular water, bubbly water has carbonation. Whether the carbonation process happens naturally or artifically, these waters, sodas, and seltzers have a million billion bubbles that give them a fun effervescence!
💦 hydrating. Getting your daily water intake can sometimes be a chore, but bubbles make everything more fun and these waters count towards your hydration goals!
🎛️ versatile. Fizzy water comes in a huge variety of flavors, from natural mineral water to wild and crazy flavor combos. They’re often enjoyed as is or used as a mixer in cocktails and mocktails!
🔴 sparkling water
Sparkling water is plain water that has carbon dioxide gas added to it. This creates bubbles and a fizzy texture in the water. It’s also sometimes called seltzer water. Unlike club soda or tonic water, pure sparkling water doesn’t contain added minerals, sweeteners, or quinine.
It offers a refreshing, calorie-free alternative to sugary sodas and can be enjoyed on its own or used as a mixer in various beverages. In any recipe calling for seltzer water or soda water, sparkling water can be used interchangeably with little to no impact to the final taste.
🟠 soda water
Soda water, also known as club soda, is water that has carbon dioxide and minerals added. The minerals added depend on the manufacturer, and they typically include sodium citrate, potassium bicarbonate, potassium sulfate, and sodium chloride.
These minerals give the club soda a slightly salty taste, but the salty taste can be handy in sweeter drinks, or cocktails. Because the taste difference is faint, club soda can usually be used interchangeably in recipes calling for soda water, sparkling water, or seltzer.
🟡 seltzer water
Seltzer water, also known as carbonated water or sparkling water, is simply plain water that has been infused with carbon dioxide gas under pressure. This process creates the characteristic bubbles and fizzy texture without adding any minerals, flavors, or sweeteners.
Seltzer water is a popular choice for those looking for a calorie-free, sugar-free alternative to sodas or a refreshing way to stay hydrated. It can be enjoyed on its own or used as a mixer in cocktails and mocktails, offering a crisp and clean taste that doesn’t alter the flavor of other ingredients. Seltzer water can be used interchangeably in any recipe calling for sparkling water or soda water.
🟢 sparkling mineral water
Mineral water is naturally carbonated water that contains natural minerals and trace elements from its source, typically underground springs or wells. Popular brands include San Pellegrino and Topo Chico. Unlike man-made carbonated waters, sparkling mineral water gets its carbonation from natural geological processes.
The exact mineral content varies between brands, and that means that each brand has its own distinct flavor profile, too. Sparkling mineral water is not interchangeable in recipes calling for seltzer water or plain sparkling water, because of the additional flavors added from the minerals.
🔵 tonic water
Tonic water is carbonated and then has minerals added, with the addition of quinine (pronounced kwai-nine) being the biggest difference among other bubbly drinks. Quinine has a slightly bitter taste, so some brands of tonic water also add sugar or syrups to their beverages.
Interestingly, the distinctive taste of tonic water was originally invented to help ward off malaria infections in British soldiers in India, but nowadays, the levels of quinine added are much lower and just for flavor. Because of the unique flavor, tonic water is not interchangeable for soda water, seltzer, or club soda.
🟣 other flavored bubbly water & sodas
Beyond the basic types of carbonated waters, there’s a wide variety of flavored bubbly waters and sodas available. These include sparkling waters with natural flavors or fruit juices like brands such as Spindrift, as well as classic manufactured soft drinks or soda pops like ginger beer, root beer, and cream soda.
Many of these beverages contain added sugars or artificial sweeteners. Some sparkling drinks, like kombucha and prebiotic soda brands like Olipop, even claim to support probiotic benefits.
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