Carbonated water in its many iterations can be confusing. There’s seltzer water, also known as soda water, (not to be confused with its boozy sibling, hard seltzer) and its whole host of flavored seltzer off-shoots. Then there’s club soda. And then there’s sparkling water, or sparkling mineral water, with its subtle flavors that range from salty to metallic. But are all of these refreshing, fizzy drinks the same? And where does tonic water fit into it all?
Though each of these bubbly beverages appears identical, each contains different flavor profiles and is made using different processes. To help understand the differences between them, we’ve compiled this, the complete guide to carbonated water, so you can know the differences between club soda, seltzer water, and sparkling water — plus tonic, too — once and for all.
What Is Seltzer Water?
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What Is Club Soda?
Popular club soda brands include Canada Dry, Seagram’s, and Schweppes.
What Is Sparkling Water?
Every brand of sparkling mineral water contains a distinct dose of flavor-giving minerals, so they all taste slightly different. Sparkling mineral waters don’t mix well in cocktails, but they do produce remarkable effects when paired with wine.
Popular sparkling mineral water brands include Perrier, San Pellegrino, and Topo Chico.
What Is Tonic Water?
Tonic water is the only style on this list that contains calories, because of its sugar content, but “light” versions are increasingly popular. In these styles, sweetness is provided by less-caloric, natural-fruit sugars.
While popular brands like Canada Dry, Schweppes, and Seagram’s also make tonic water, you’re likely to find Fever-Tree stocked at the world’s best bars.
Published: January 28, 2022