Club soda vs seltzer water vs tonic water

Tonic water, club soda, seltzer, and sparkling water are all carbonated water but they differ in their mineral content and taste. Many people seeking a healthier lifestyle have become more mindful about their dietary choices, including what they drink. Carbonated water has become a great substitute for soda and other sweetened soft drinks, which explains its steady growth in popularity. This article explains the differences between club soda, seltzer, and sparkling and tonic waters.

Sparkling Water Makers. CO2 Cylinders. Many people assume these products are the same; however, this is not the case. These products are quite different from one another. Sparkling water , often sold as sparkling mineral water, is a product that comes naturally carbonated. The carbonation comes from a natural spring or well. Sparkling water also contains calcium, sodium, and magnesium.

Club soda vs seltzer water vs tonic water

Seltzer, mineral water, club soda, and tonic water all have similarities, and the terms are sometimes used interchangeably. At a glance, it's nearly impossible to tell them apart visually. Clear, sparkling, and flavored lightly if at all, these carbonated drinks serve similar purposes. Their origins are similar, too — after all, tonic, seltzer, and club soda were all inspired by naturally sparkling mineral water. For thousands of years, carbonated mineral water was valued for its purported health benefits but could only be found at natural springs. That all changed in the late s when methods of producing man-made carbonated water using carbon dioxide were discovered. Over the following centuries, scientists and entrepreneurs began perfecting and expanding on the initial process, mimicking the effects of natural springs to sell what they called "medicated water. Before it was a catch-all term, seltzer was originally a specific brand of carbonated water named after the German town of Niederselters, which was famous for its naturally carbonated springs. Modern seltzer is artificially carbonated, typically sold without additional minerals, and is traditionally flavorless. However, the term is used fairly loosely, so drinks labeled as seltzer can also contain flavors and additives. Jewish immigrants brought seltzer to the United States and helped popularize the use of soda siphons.

If you do not need to watch your sodium or potassium intake, you can opt for either as a healthy hydration option. Tell us why! Once any flavoring, additive, or alteration is made to the carbonated water, it can no longer be classified as a plain seltzer.

If you hit the mixer section of your bottle shop or supermarket, you will see an array of tonic, soda and sparkling mineral water for pairing with your gin. But what's the difference? After all, they are ALL bubbly water right? Flavoured versions aside, surely you could just substitute one for the other? And what's the deal with these seltzers hitting the market? The carbonation in sparkling mineral water often occurs naturally in the springs from which the water is sourced.

Melanie Fincher is a Birmingham, Alabama—based food writer who covers everything from cooking techniques to gadget reviews. She has nearly 7 years experience writing news and lifestyle content. Have you hopped on the SodaStream trend yet? There is increasing interest in on-demand carbonated water for a number of reasons: It saves you money, reduces your carbon footprint, and helps to satisfy your soda cravings. The term "carbonated water" is really an umbrella phrase that can refer to a number of fizzy beverages, including seltzer water, club soda, sparkling mineral water, and tonic water.

Club soda vs seltzer water vs tonic water

Are they interchangeable? And which one is the healthiest? We dive into the details on bubbly water. Stacey lives in Chicago with her husband and is currently at work on a new full-length work of fiction. Emily Lachtrupp is a registered dietitian experienced in nutritional counseling, recipe analysis and meal plans. She's worked with clients who struggle with diabetes, weight loss, digestive issues and more. In her spare time, you can find her enjoying all that Vermont has to offer with her family and her dog, Winston.

Walgreens north ave cicero

However, Club soda doesn't have the same slightly sweet, slightly bitter taste of tonic water or the calories that come from the sweeteners. It is also great for adding fizz and bubbles to non-alcoholic drinks like virgin mojitos! The early s sparked renewed interest in cocktails. Though flavor-free in its most unadulterated state, the additives, or lack thereof, to bubbly water give it its identity and can affect taste and quality. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Just like with tonic water, you can mix club soda with any spirit. Its distinct flavor, often described as bitter and medicinal, makes it a popular mixer for cocktails such as gin and tonics. A class unto its own, seltzer makes for a perfect blank slate. Definitions Similarities Differences Which to choose Bottom line Tonic water, club soda, seltzer, and sparkling water are all carbonated water but they differ in their mineral content and taste. They don't occur naturally in club soda like they do in sparkling water. Soldiers began using them as mixers while sailors added citrus to stave off scurvy, and thus, the gin and tonic was born. These minerals can include potassium bicarbonate, potassium sulfate, disodium phosphate, or other natural flavors depending on the manufacturer's specific recipe.

Lots of us choose these sparkling drinks as a healthier alternative to soda, but one recent study found that they may actually make you hungrier.

Since there are no flavours, the manufacturers can add them in. Are they interchangeable? You will probably also find out very quickly that this kind of carbonated water is more expensive than the other tasty varieties we are sharing with you. Sparkling water is a naturally carbonated water with its natural minerality retained. In general, with the exception of tonic water , you can really use all the options in this category fairly interchangeably. The simplest form of carbonated water is seltzer, which is just carbonation added to water. Fill the accompanying water bottle with water, place it in the machine, and activate the carbonation. Regardless of how you drink it or use it, sparkling water is an incredibly versatile beverage that can be enjoyed in many different ways! Just remember to read labels carefully so you can choose the right type of beverage for your individual needs if you choose to buy from the store. This article explains the differences between club soda, seltzer, and sparkling and tonic waters. The level of bubble intensity can be very delicate or can have some serious punch, and the same can be said of the flavors.