Club Soda Vs Seltzer Water - Difference And Comparison - Diffen

What Are Club Soda and Seltzer Water?

Club soda and seltzer water are both artificially carbonated water. Club soda with the added minerals potassium bicarbonate, sodium chloride and potassium sulfate.

Seltzer water is plain, unflavored water that is artificially carbonated. There are no additional ingredients.

Taste

Club soda is gentler on the palate for those who find seltzer water a bit harsh. It's much milder and slightly sweeter tasting than usual carbonated water, as the introduction of potassium bicarbonate and potassium sulfate dulls the sharp sting of its effervescence.

Flavors and Brands

Club soda usually comes plain, but can be found in lemon-lime. Typical brands include Canada Dry, Seagrams and Schweppes.

Seltzer typically comes in plain, lime, lemon and different berries. Typical brands include Schweppes, Polar and Canada Dry.

Nutrition Facts

With carbonated water, there isn't much nutrition to begin with, which makes club soda and seltzer water very similar when it comes to nutrition facts. There are no calories, fat, carbohydrates or sugars. However, because of the added minerals, club soda contains 75 milligrams of sodium and 7.1 milligrams of potassium in a 12-ounce serving. Seltzer water has no sodium or potassium.

Flavored club soda and seltzer water may have calories or sugars depending on the flavoring used.

Uses

Club soda and seltzer water mostly taste the same, like sparkling water. However, club soda has a subtle mineral taste.

Both club soda and seltzer water can be drunk alone. They are generally interchangeable as a mixer in alcoholic drinks. Either can be used in beverages such as Gin Fizz, John Collins, Tom Collins, Wine Spritzer and Singapore Sling.

History and Etymology

Until World War II, carbonated water was referred to as soda water in the US because of the sodium salts it contained in an attempt to imitate mineral water. In the UK and Canada today, drink mixers sold as soda water or club soda contain bicarbonate of soda, giving them a specific flavor that sets them apart from carbonated water.

The term Seltzer water is a genericized trademark that derives from the German town Selters, known for its mineral springs. The term is practically unknown in Great Britain and most of the Commonwealth countries.

References

• Wikipedia:Carbonated Water
• Calories in Club Soda - Calorie Count
• Calories in Seltzer Water - SparkPeople
• Polar Seltzer
• Understanding the Different Types of Soda Used in Mixed Drinks - About.com Cocktails