Previous | Next

Soda Water is carbonated water with a small amount of sodium bicarbonate (aka Baking Soda) in it.

It is not the same as plain carbonated water because of this addition. It is saltier tasting than most sparkling (aka carbonated) mineral waters. Because of the sodium bicarbonate in it, people often drink it to relieve mild indigestion.

It is used in making many cocktails. When people order a Scotch and Soda at the bar, they expect it to come with Soda Water -- carbonated water that has at least a trace amount of sodium bicarbonate in it (though some Scotch aficionados think that anyone who would do this is deranged.) If in North America the ingredient list on a bottle or can of Club Soda seems identical to that of Seltzer Water (aka Carbonated Water), then the difference will come out in the nutrition list: there you'll find that Club Soda has sodium in it. Ingredients in Canada Dry Club Soda are: Carbonated Water, Sodium Bicarbonate, Sodium Citrate, Potassium Sulfate, Disodium Phosphate.

If you're still not convinced that there's a difference, set a glass of Soda Water next to a glass of Carbonated Water .Let them both go flat over night, then taste them in the morning. The taste difference will be more pronounced.

It is sold directly to consumers in cans or bottles.

Soda water can be made at home with a soda siphon bottle. You put about a teaspoon of baking soda in the bottle, then fill with plain, still water. You screw the lid on, shake well, then attach and release the carbon bomb into it. You can also buy packs of sodium bicarbonate tablets to use instead of sodium bicarbonate out of the box.

If you're planning on providing Soda Water for a party, it can be best to buy it in bottles or cans, rather than spending all night keeping the soda siphon made up and filled.

• Some add it to batter such as used for fish or tempura to make the batter light and crispy;
• Some swear by Soda Water for removing strains from material or carpeting. For this, it works just as well when flat -- the fizz doesn't add anything to the process here;
• Some recommend using Club Soda to clean the surfaces of griddles. You heat the griddle, then pour Club Soda on and scrub with the griddle brick. Don't do this for griddles with non-stick surfaces, but then, non-stick surfaces shouldn't need this kind of cleaning, anyway. The water will get very hot and splatter, so be careful -- you may wish to have an oven glove on.

Language Notes
Club Soda is not a brand name; it is a generic term.

Other entries for: Water

Artesian Well Water, Boiled Water, Bottled Water, Carbonated Water, Distilled Water, Ground Water, Ice, Mineral Water, Perrier Water, Soda Water, Spring Water, Sterilized Water, Still Water, Tonic Water, Vichy Water, Water, Well Water

Other entries for:

Beverages
Alcohol, Atholl Brose, Atole, Carbonated Beverages, Caudle, Coffee, Egg Nog, Holiday Nog, Horchata de Arroz, Horchata de Chufas, Horchatas, Horlicks, Juice, Kvass, Milk Shakes, Pennywort Drink, Postum, Soft Drinks, Tea