Whats the difference between sparkling water and tonic water

My recent obsession has been beverages. It all started with limoncello. Now, I’m creating cocktails at home and ordering unusual cocktails when I'm out. I’m buying shrubs and making my own. I’m also diving into many styles of beers that I’ve never tried before and hounding my beer-brewing friends to let me try everything they make.

While playing with drink recipes, I realized I have never explained the difference between club soda, seltzer water, and tonic water. People wonder what is in each mixer and if they’re interchangeable. They all look the same—can they all be used the same way? Here's what to know.

Club Soda

Club soda is carbonated water that has added minerals like potassium bicarbonate and potassium citrate to enhance the flavor. It can also have added sodium, but not all club sodas contain sodium.

Seltzer Water

Seltzer water is also carbonated water, but it doesn’t have any additives, such as sodium. You can purchase flavored seltzers, usually in a citrus flavor, but plain seltzer is simply water that is carbonated.

Tonic Water

Tonic water is the least water-like of the three. It does contain carbonated water, but it has quinine to give it a bitter flavor and also a sweetener, usually high-fructose corn syrup or an artificial sweetener to make a “diet” tonic water. It’s more of a soda than a water.

Club soda and seltzer water are interchangeable in beverages, but tonic water will add sweet and bitter to whatever you’re creating. You shouldn’t substitute tonic water for club soda or seltzer water, nor should you substitute club soda or seltzer water for tonic water.

There you have it—a simple explanation about these three common drink mixers. Did you already know this, or did I teach you something?

Whats the difference between sparkling water and tonic water

Whats the difference between sparkling water and tonic water

Fizzy water: whether you call it tonic, sparkling or soda or mineral, it’s all the same, right?

As it turns out, not so much.

Yes, they’re all bubbly forms of water, but they’re also all completely different drinks. Each has its own different flavour and qualities. So, before you start using sparkling water to make that G&T (or pour yourself a big, refreshing glass of tonic water), read on.

Tonic water vs Soda water vs Sparkling water vs Mineral water

Let’s start by laying out the basic similarities and differences between ‘the four fizzy amigos’ before we go into each fizz type in detail.

First, the similarities – all three are made from carbonated water, which is created by injecting bubbles of carbon dioxide (CO2) into water to make it fizz.

Whats the difference between sparkling water and tonic water

What is tonic water?

Tonic water is a sweet-yet-bitter, bubbly little number that’s mainly used as a mixer for cocktails. It’s the fizz that gave its name to the popular ‘gin and tonic’ enjoyed all over the world.

What is tonic water made of?

Traditional tonic water generally contains four ingredients:

  • Carbonated water
  • Sugar
  • Quinine and other flavours
  • Preservatives

The key to tonic water’s unique bitter taste is quinine: a drug that was actually developed to treat malaria and other diseases! Of course, doctors use it in much bigger doses than you’ll find in store-bought tonic waters.

What is sparkling water?

Sparkling water has a clean, neutral taste that makes it great for cooking – not to mention a refreshing alternative to plain old tap water. If you’ve ever had a waiter ask whether you wanted, “still or sparkling?”, you’ve met sparkling water before. It’s the option that sparkles with bubbles.

What about ‘sparkling mineral water’?

Sometimes, you’ll see sparkling water advertised as sparkling mineral water. In fact, many people think the two interchangeable, but there IS a big difference.

Genuine sparkling mineral waters come from underground water sources that are rich in natural minerals and salts. They get their bubbles from the natural gasses in these mineral springs (although manufacturers often add more CO2 afterwards to up the bubble-factor).

Sparkling mineral water’s taste is still subtle, but the minerals it contains often add a bit of flavour. That means it can taste a little bitter and salty.

What is sparkling water made of?

Plain sparkling water generally contains just one ingredient – carbonated water.

Flavoured sparkling waters typically also contain:

  • Added flavours
  • Sugar and/or artificial sweeteners
  • Preservatives

Whats the difference between sparkling water and tonic water

What is soda water?

Soda water is sometimes known as ‘club soda’. It’s a slightly salty drink that most commonly gets used as a cocktail mixer, although some folks enjoy it on its own.

Fun factoid: soda water was originally created as a cheaper version of sparkling mineral water. To mimic the taste, manufacturers add minerals like:

  • Sodium bicarbonate
  • Sodium citrate
  • Disodium phosphate
  • (and occasionally) sodium chloride, aka table salt.

What is soda water made of?

Soda water contains:

  • Carbonated water
  • Added salts and minerals

Whats the difference between sparkling water and tonic water

Sparkling water, tonic water, soda water or mineral water – which one is healthiest?

Some people believe that tonic water is bad for you. And, based purely on sugar content, plain sparkling water, mineral water or soda water is certainly healthier than most tonic waters out there.

That’s because neither plain sparkling water, mineral water or soda water have sugar in them. Meanwhile, traditional tonic water has, on average, 6.5 teaspoons of sugar per 300mL serve!

That said, watch out for flavoured sparkling waters too. They may appear healthy, but they sometimes come loaded with a stack of sugar and artificial additives. 

Thankfully Nexba’s Tonic Waters, Nexba Sparkling Waters, Nexba Sparkling Mineral Waters aren’t like that at all. They’re naturally sugar free and are actually just as healthy as soda water or sparkling water!

Whats the difference between sparkling water and tonic water

Your favourite bubbly beverages with none of the nasty stuff

Look, we don’t want to knock plain sparkling water if that’s what you’re in the mood for. But we also know that sometimes, you just crave a bit more FLAVOUR in your life.

That’s why, at Nexba, we’ve made it our mission to take the traditional drinks we all already know and love and make them healthier (and just as delicious). 

We knew we had to give traditional tonic water and sparkling water a makeover. So we added our top-secret Nexba Naturally Sugar Free sweetener blend, along with 100% natural flavours.

And unlike most bubblies on the market, Nexba’s have:

  • no sugar
  • no artificial sweeteners
  • no fructose
  • no GMOs

  • 100% Vegan
  • all-natural
  • Australian made and owned

Is tonic water better than sparkling water?

And, based purely on sugar content, plain sparkling water, mineral water or soda water is certainly healthier than most tonic waters out there. That's because neither plain sparkling water, mineral water or soda water have sugar in them.

Can I replace sparkling water with tonic water?

Club soda and seltzer water can be used interchangeably with little to no flavor change, but tonic water should not substitute club soda or seltzer. With its distinct bitter or citrus flavor, tonic water may drastically affect the flavor of the drink you are trying to make.

Does tonic water taste like sparkling water?

Tonic water is pretty bitter, and it's known for it's distinct taste. On the other hand, soda water utilizes pressurized carbon dioxide gas. Tonic water is pretty different compared to most bubbly, carbonated waters. In addition to its distinct taste, tonic water contains calories (unlike the other types of waters).

Is there a difference between soda water and sparkling water?

Soda Water / Sparkling Water There is no difference between soda water and sparkling water, both are simply water that has been carbonated with added gas to become fizzy. Soda water has other names, including fizzy water, club soda, seltzer water, and water with gas.