Buzz
They all fizz. They all bubble. And they’re all water. However, club soda, seltzer, and sparkling water are not the same. Here's what to keep in mind the next time you pick one up.
Club Soda
Club soda is simply water infused with a few additives: carbon dioxide for bubbles and ‘mineral-like’ ingredients such as sodium bicarbonate, sodium citrate, and potassium sulfate. It’s not flavored, except for the faintly mineral taste, which makes club soda a perfect ingredient for cocktails.
Why is club soda called that? According to Culinary Lore, the drink was originally known as Club Soda (with the proper noun). It was trademarked in the UK and Ireland by the Dublin-based company Cantrell & Cochrane. In 1896, C&C lost a lawsuit against a Jamaican company using the term club soda, which might explain why it has since become a general term everywhere else.
By the way, the notion that club soda is great for removing stains isn’t entirely true; plain water often does just as well.
Seltzer
Seltzer, like club soda, is simply water carbonated with carbon dioxide, but without the added minerals. Unlike club soda, seltzer can be sweetened or flavored, typically with citrus or other fruits. Interestingly, seltzer was once a trademarked product, sold in Germany as early as 1728. Immigrants from Europe brought it to America, and the term gradually became a more general reference.
Sparkling Water
Sparkling mineral water is typically sourced from natural springs or wells, offering natural carbonation. However, there is also a variety of sparkling water that isn't derived from a spring and lacks mineral content; it's just regular carbonated water, sometimes infused with flavors.
BONUS: Tonic Water
Tonic water is, essentially—brace yourself—carbonated water. What sets it apart is the addition of quinine, a compound extracted from the bark of the South American cinchona tree. Originally used as a malaria treatment, legend has it that British soldiers began combining quinine with soda water, sugar, and gin to make it more palatable. Additionally, quinine has a fluorescent property, so next time you sip on a gin and tonic, find a black light and admire its eerie blue glow.
