Clear, sparkling, and bubbly water, how different can club soda and sparkling water actually be? Today we're looking at the differences between club soda vs. sparkling water and if they're substitutable when curating cocktails. Although they're both carbonated water, sparkling water doesn't contain additives and club soda has added minerals that can give it a slightly sweet or salty flavor.
Club Soda vs. Sparkling Water: Ingredients & Taste
Club soda can have a sweeter or saltier taste depending on the added minerals it contains. Infused with potassium sulfate, disodium phosphate, sodium chloride, and sodium bicarbonate, club soda is usually more dynamic than sparkling water. Sparkling water is typically plainer because it only contains the natural minerals from the spring it was sourced from. Every spring will have different amounts of minerals based on its location and the makeup of the land around it. Although you may be able to notice the difference in taste between them, it is very subtle.
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Club Soda vs. Sparkling Water: Nutritional Facts
Because of their similarities, the nutritional facts for these two options are nearly identical. They are both great options to keep you hydrated. Some people drink these water options to increase their water intake. Others like to drink it because the carbonation can help subside an upset stomach. Either way, club soda or sparkling water can help you meet your daily water needs.
Club Soda vs. Sparkling Water: Carbonation
Although some people say that water coming from a spring can have slight carbonation, both club soda and sparkling water are injected with carbon dioxide to create carbonation. This is how most manufactured sparkling waters are made. You can make carbonated water by purchasing a SodaStream or any other soda maker.
There is also a DIY way to carbonate water at home! If you don't want to purchase a machine, you can carbonate water by using vinegar, baking soda, and some basic science. By filling a napkin with baking soda and exposing it to the vinegar, you'll ultimately make CO2 that will carbonate your drink!
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Club Soda vs. Sparkling Water: Water Source
Where water is sourced from plays a huge part in what minerals the water contains. Typically, “groundwater” means that the water contains more minerals because it passes through the fractures and pores of the rocks. The climate of the area is also important. Typically, low temperature is what is desired.
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Club Soda vs. Sparkling Water: Where to Buy
You can buy both club soda and sparkling water at any grocery store, but, you will often find them in different aisles. Sparkling water can be found in the water aisle where all the bottled and gallon waters are. Club soda on the other hand can be harder to find if you don't know where to look. You can find club soda in the cocktail mixing aisle which is typically near the beer and wine section if your grocery store doesn't sell liquor. If your store does sell liquor, you can find it in the liquor aisle.
Club Soda vs. Sparkling Water: Packaging
Both of these waters are typically found in a can or in a plastic bottle. If you prefer glass bottles, more often you can find sparkling water in a glass bottle. You can find club soda in glass bottles, it is just less common and typically found at certain grocery stores.
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Club Soda vs. Sparkling Water: How To Use It
Since club soda and sparkling water are so similar, they are almost perfectly interchangeable. Even so, most use sparkling water for everyday drinking and club soda for making cocktails. Here are some great cocktails to use with either of these waters.
- Vodka Soda with lime
- Tequila Soda with lime
- Classic Mojito
- Gin Fizz
- Tom Collins
- Gin Rickey
- Campari Soda
- Southside Fizz
- Whiskey Highball
- White Wine Spritzer
- Aperol Spritz
- Hugo Cocktail
- Americano Cocktail
- Mind Eraser
Southside Fizz
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Ingredients
- 6 mint leaves
- 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) gin
- 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) lemon juice
- 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) lime juice
- 1/2 ounce (1 tablespoon) simple syrup or maple syrup
- 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) soda water
- For garnish: Lemon peel and 1 mint leaf
Instructions
- Add the mint leaves to a cocktail shaker and muddle them.
- Add the gin, lemon juice, lime juice and syrup to cocktail shaker. Fill with ice and shake until cold.
- Strain into chilled highball glass. Top with soda water and garnish with an additional mint leaf (smack it between your hands to release the oils) and lemon peel.
Club Soda vs. Sparkling Water: Conclusion
When looking at club soda vs. sparkling water, the differences are minimal. It all comes down to the minerals which may only slightly change the flavor to be sweet or salty. These waters can be used interchangeably for cocktails, but when drinking carbonated water on a daily bases most people drink sparkling water.