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Say goodbye to confusion in the water aisle! We're discussing club soda vs. seltzer water and how they differ.Everyone seems to love bubbly water these days. Whether it’s a can of fruity, flavored sparkling water like LaCroix or Bubly, a homemade fizzy sip from a SodaStream or a citrusy Pellegrino, fizzy water is light, refreshing and satisfying. Plus, choosing carbonated water helps us avoid the Coke Zero vs. Diet Coke debate—it doesn’t matter if you choose club soda vs. seltzer water, because they’re both healthier options than soda. Still, as you head down your supermarket’s water aisle, it’s easy to get overwhelmed by the choices. Should we choose club soda or seltzer water? Do they taste different? Are the uses for seltzer water different than club soda uses? Here, we’re diving in to the food facts that will help you understand the similarities and differences when it comes to club soda vs. seltzer water. Is there a difference between seltzer and sparkling water?They may sound different, but “seltzer” and “sparkling water” are two terms for the same beverage. This fizzy drink also goes by the name of soda water. Is there a difference between seltzer and club soda?In the case of club soda vs. seltzer water, the difference lies in what has been added to the water. Seltzer is simply water with carbon dioxide, that gas that gives it that satisfying fizz. Club soda starts the same way, but it also contains minerals like potassium bicarbonate and/or potassium sulfate. These don’t change the drinking experience—club soda and seltzer water are each as clear and bubbly as a gulp of McDonald’s Sprite—but it does give club soda a slightly salty flavor. Is seltzer healthier than club soda?According to Schweppes, which makes both seltzer water and club soda, both drinks have no calories, fat or carbohydrates. But when you’re comparing the nutritional value of club soda vs. seltzer water, there is one key number that stands out: sodium. Schweppes Club Soda contains 95 milligrams of sodium per 12-ounce serving, thanks to the minerals that give the sip its distinct flavor, while the brand’s seltzer water doesn’t have any. The current Dietary Guidelines for Americans, as published by the U.S. Department of Agriculture, recommend keeping sodium intake under 2,300 milligrams per day, or roughly 1 teaspoon of salt. A 12-ounce glass of club soda contains only about 4% of that number, so sipping it won’t significantly affect your sodium intake. (The hot dog you scarf down for lunch or the pizza you eat for dinner will do much worse damage.) That said, if you’re trying to cut down on sodium and you drink a lot of club soda, it may be time to switch to a different carbonated water. Which tastes better: club soda or seltzer water?Some foods that are made differently taste very similar to one another (think jam and jelly). But the taste of club soda vs. seltzer water is distinct. Seltzer tastes just like still water, while club soda has a slightly salty flavor from the added minerals. The flavor—and the fact that it provides more of a punch than seltzer water—is why club soda is typically used as a mixer for cocktails. (Excluding, of course, a classic gin and tonic, which is made with tonic water, or water to which carbon dioxide, sugar and the bitter compound quinine have been added.) Think about it like cooking: You add salt to recipes to bring out other flavors, not necessarily to make the finished dish salty. Club soda has the same effect on the other ingredients in cocktails. Once you’re clear on the club soda vs. seltzer water question, tackle the differences between other similar foods, such as sorbet and sherbet, baking soda and baking powder and bread flour and all-purpose flour. Sources:
Popular Videosⓘ Club soda vs seltzer, aka sparkling water: what’s the difference between these carbonated beverages? When to use one or the other? Here’s what you need to know. Club
soda vs seltzer: what’s the difference? They’re both carbonated water, but there’s a slight difference between the two. Then of course there’s tonic water…and what’s sparkling water? Which should you use as a cocktail mixer, vs drink on a regular basis? We will admit, the terminology requires some research: and at the store it can still be a little confusing. Here’s what you need to know about the differences between these
carbonated beverages. Club soda and seltzer are two types of carbonated water. To understand the difference, it’s also helpful to compare them with tonic water and sparkling water. Here’s a breakdown: Interestingly, it’s hard to find anything at the store that’s labeled “seltzer,” though that’s what it is. Sparkling mineral water is easier to find, and of course you can find LaCroix just about anywhere. The flavor differences between club soda vs seltzer are pretty subtle. In terms of health benefits between the two, club soda has slightly more sodium and a few added minerals. So our top choice for drinking on a daily basis is seltzer! Here’s a breakdown of when to use these products: Bottom line: Opt for seltzer, soda water or sparkling mineral water most often: it’s best for everyday drinking. You can buy club soda if you
like, but it’s not required for cocktails, either! You can use soda water for both. There are lots of famous club soda cocktails! You can use either sparkling water or club soda
interchangeably to make any of these drinks. We use the term “soda water” in our recipes to mean seltzer, but club soda is so similar that you can use it as a substitute.
DescriptionThe lime soda is an outrageously refreshing drink that works as a cocktail or mocktail! It’s equally as delicious with gin or virgin.
Notes*Caper juice or pickle juice may sound unusual, but they’re a way to mimic the flavor of alcohol (see our Virgin Margarita).
Keywords: Club soda vs seltzer About the authorsSonja & AlexMeet Sonja and Alex Overhiser: Husband and wife. Expert home cooks. Authors of recipes you'll want to make again and again. Is carbonated water the same as seltzer water?Another type of carbonated water that you'll find is seltzer. Seltzer, like carbonated water, gets its carbonation later on. However, unlike club soda, seltzer does not contain any minerals. Many people find that seltzer tastes much more like “natural spring water” than sparkling mineral water or club soda.
Which is healthier sparkling water or seltzer water?Though they're both a great way to stay hydrated or as a replacement for your average cup of tap water, the main difference between the two is the taste. In regards to health, neither of them have calories, and the mineral content doesn't make enough of a difference to drink one rather than the other.
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