Difference Between Club Soda, Seltzer and Sparkling Mineral Water
Club soda, seltzer water, and sparkling mineral water contain bubbles of carbon dioxide suspended in a liquid matrix, but other additives determine them.
- Club Soda: Club Soda is plain water with added minerals and dissolved solids, usually sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate, disodium phosphate and, less commonly, sodium chloride. Carbonation is added rather than natural, and the flavor can range from virtually tasteless to slightly salty or bitter. Its lack of strong flavor makes it a good choice for sparkling cocktails, lemonade or juice.
- Seltzer (sparkling water): Seltzer is regular sparkling water, but (usually) lacking in minerals. Some varieties are flavored with fruit “essence” and oils and are intended for self-consumption. While they lack the subtle mineral flavor of a club soda, they make a pretty good cocktail, especially if you just want to add some flavor with pamplemus or other fruit oil.
- Sparkling Mineral Water: Sparkling mineral water usually comes from a natural source or well and can be naturally carbonated, depending on the source. As the name suggests, there are some minerals in there, although the type and amount of dissolved solids varies from brand to brand. Mineral water is usually best consumed on its own, as the flavor that all minerals (such as magnesium, potassium and calcium) impart can distract from the cocktail.
Now that we’ve cleared that up, I recommend celebrating with a sparkling drink. Whether it’s drunk or bubbly is up to you.