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What’s the difference between club soda and seltzer, or sparkling water? Here’s all you need to know about these carbonated beverages, including when to use each one.
Club soda vs. seltzer: what’s the difference? They’re both carbonated water, but there are some unique things about each one. There’s also tonic water and sparkling water.
I’ll admit it. The terminology requires some research, and it can all get a little jumbled when you’re at the grocery store. I’ll break it all down for you so that you know how to use each one to its fullest potential.
Club soda vs. seltzer and the rest
Club soda and seltzer are two types of carbonated water. To understand the difference, it’s also helpful to compare them with tonic water and sparkling water. Here’s a breakdown:
- Seltzer, also known as soda water or sparkling water, is carbonated water with no additives, carbonated by injecting carbon dioxide (CO2). It’s the base for brands like LaCroix or what comes out of a SodaStream. Sparkling mineral water is made with water from a mineral spring, like Perrier or Topo Chico.
- Club soda is carbonated water infused with added minerals, which give it a salty or lightly sweet flavor. Additives you may see in club soda are potassium sulfate, sodium chloride, disodium phosphate, or sodium bicarbonate.
- Tonic water is carbonated water with added quinine and sugar. It was first sold commercially in the 1850s as a way to drink quinine, prescribed at the time to fight malaria. It tastes sweet and bitter, and is used in many cocktails like the gin and tonic.
Interestingly, it’s hard to find anything at the store that’s labeled simply as “seltzer,” though that’s what it is. Sparkling mineral water is easier to find, and of course, you can find LaCroix just about anywhere.
When to use each option
The flavor differences between club soda and seltzer are pretty subtle. In terms of health benefits, club soda has slightly more sodium and a few added minerals, so that’s my top choice. Here’s a breakdown of when to use each one:
- Seltzer, or sparkling water, has a clear, crisp flavor and is the purest form of carbonated water. It has 0 calories and sugar. It’s my top choice for drinking on a regular basis. You can use a SodaStream or other type of home carbonation system to make your own seltzer on demand. It’s also a great cocktail mixer.
- Club soda has slightly more salt than seltzer, but overall, the flavor difference is very subtle. Even so, use club soda for cocktails instead of everyday drinking. I typically don’t buy club soda and just use the SodaStream I have at home to make soda water on demand.
Bottom line: Opt for seltzer, soda water, or sparkling mineral water most often. It’s best for everyday drinking. You can buy club soda if you like, but it’s not required for cocktails, either! You can use soda water for both.
Popular sparkling cocktails
There are lots of famous club soda cocktails! (You can use either sparkling water or club soda interchangeably to make any of these drinks.) I use the term “soda water” in my recipes to mean seltzer, but club soda is so similar that you can use it as a substitute.
Here are a few favorites:
Lime Soda
The lime soda is an outrageously refreshing drink that works as a cocktail or mocktail! It’s equally as delicious with gin or virgin.
- Prep Time: 2 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 2 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Poured
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 ½ ounces (3 tablespoons) fresh lime juice
- For a cocktail: 3 ounces gin or whiskey
- For a mocktail: ¼ teaspoon caper juice or pickle juice*, ½ ounce simple syrup, or omit entirely
- 4 ounces (½ cup) soda water
- Ice, for serving (try clear ice)
- For the garnish: lime wedges
Instructions
- Add the lime juice and alcoholic or non-alcoholic mixer (whiskey, gin, caper juice or simple syrup) to a highball glass and stir.
- Fill with ice and top with sparkling water. Garnish with lime wedges.
Notes
*Caper juice or pickle juice may sound unusual, but they’re a way to mimic the flavor of alcohol. See my Virgin Margarita.
I once had rose water mixed with lemonade in a middle eastern restaurant and it was the best thing I ever tasted! I have no idea why it tasted so good because I never had rosewater before but I need to buy it. But where? It would be good with sparkling water and with or without vodka.
It’s available in many grocery stores, often near the vanilla extract.
You failed to mention the pro’s and con’s…
But you found time to get your recipes in!
A waste of (my) time
Hi. Wanted to know the difference between club soda and seltzer water. Thanks for the info. However Gerolsteiner and Pelligrino sparkling water has trace minerals and is (suppose) natural and is similar to club soda which is made that way. Perrier has no trace minerals so is akin to Seltzer water. Don’t know much about other brands but I usually buy club soda to drink as it is 1/4 the price as some premium sparkling waters but my palate can’t tell the difference