What is club soda and how do I make it?

Question

After many searches on the Google, I still can't find out how to make club soda. So, I have to ask the question - what is club soda exactly?

I bought a iSi Soda Siphon and have figured out how to make carbonated water (finally).

Now what do I have to do to make club soda? How about seltzer?

Asked by mikebmassey

Answer

Seltzer and club soda are the same thing - they're just carbonated water. "Seltzer" comes from German:

The term seltzer water is a genericized trademark that derives from the German town Selters, which is renowned for its mineral springs. Naturally carbonated water has been commercially bottled and shipped from this town since the 18th century or earlier. Generally, seltzer water has no added sodium salts, while club soda still retains the sodium salts.

So, the primary difference is that seltzer has no added ingredients, but club soda does:

Sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, sodium phosphate and sodium citrate are added to club soda...

Here's a decent review of the ingredients list and taste of various types of fizzy water.

So to answer your question directly, you can make seltzer just by carbonating regular tap water, and you can make club soda by adding potassium bicarbonate, potassium sulfate, or baking soda to water and carbonating it.

Answered by Laura

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