Club soda, that old-school bar staple, takes things a step further. It often includes added minerals like sodium bicarbonate, potassium sulfate, or sodium chloride. That’s why it has a slightly salty, more complex taste than regular seltzer. Fancy, right?
Then there’s tonic water—the misunderstood cousin. While it looks like fizzy water, it contains quinine, a bitter compound from the cinchona tree, plus a generous amount of sugar or high-fructose corn syrup. A single glass can have as much sugar as a soda. Not exactly the health halo you were hoping for.
Cultural Rituals and the Rise of the Spindrift
Remember when ordering a “seltzer” in a New York deli got you a knowing nod? That’s because fizzy water has deep cultural roots. In Europe, sparkling water is often considered the default—order “water” in Paris, and you’ll likely get a bottle of Badoit or Vichy Catalan. It’s a statement of sophistication, hydration, and mild rebellion against the still.
Now, we’re in the golden age of flavored sparkling water. Brands like LaCroix, Spindrift, and Bubly have turned a simple drink into a lifestyle accessory. Spindrift even dares to add a splash of real fruit juice, making it the “cool indie band” of the category. The ingredients? Carbonated water, a squeeze of lime or raspberry, and nothing else.
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Fun fact: humans have been drinking carbonated water since the 18th century. Chemist Joseph Priestley invented it by suspending a bowl of water over a vat of fermenting beer. He basically hacked the beer-making process to create the world’s first soda stream. You’re welcome, influencers.
