A brief guide to the difference between tonic water, soda water and sparkling water
Walking down the water and soda aisle of the supermarket, have you often wondered the difference between tonic water, soda water and sparkling water? After all, they are ALL bubbly water right? Flavoured versions aside, surely you could just substitute one for the other? Well, read this first.
What is sparkling mineral water?
The carbonation in sparkling mineral water often occurs naturally in the springs from which the water is sourced. Like it's name, the waters will also contain small quantities of minerals such as calcium, magnesium and sodium which can all add to the flavour of the water. However, some mineral waters can also have their effervescence added artificially.
What is soda water?
Soda water is at its core, artificially carbonated water with different types of salts added to it, e.g. sodium citrate and potassium bicarbonate. The process of carbonation comes from dissolving carbon dioxide in water, often through the use of force - think the Soda Stream. In America, you may see the term club soda used however, in Australia, soda water is primarily the term used to refer to this category. Seltzer is also a term often seen in America, which is used to refer to carbonated water but without any of the salts added to it.
What is tonic water?
Tonic water is in essence, carbonated water, sugar and quinine. A citrussy element is introduced often via the use of citric acid. The key difference is that tonic contains quinine, which introduces the bitter element in the drink and sugar. For more about tonic water, read our more comprehensive post here
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