What Is Sparkling Water? 10 Facts and Sparkling Water Brands

Is sparkling water actually water? Does it really sparkle?

The answer to both of these is yes, but sparkling water is far more interesting than that. To get a better understanding, you should be asking questions like what is club soda and what is soda water, since they're both considered sparkling water.

Keep reading to learn what sparkling water is, some of the most popular sparkling water brands, and the benefits and disadvantages of drinking and using it.

What Is Sparkling Water?

Sparkling water is a naturally or artificially carbonated mineral water. This means that natural mineral water, club soda, soda water, and seltzer fall under the umbrella of sparkling water. The latter of which are types of artificially carbonated water with minerals added. The flavor profiles of natural sparkling water and club soda are very similar. This is because club soda was intentionally created to be as close to mineral water as possible. Natural sparkling water is generally healthier to drink since it can contain a number of trace elements from the spring it was drawn from.

Is Sparkling Water Good For You?

Sparkling water isn't inherently good or bad for you, but there are some benefits that you can gain when drinking it. Remember, sparkling water is just carbonated water, so it's not going to serve as a miracle cure for all your ills. Read labels and consult your doctor if you have any real concerns.

Is Sparkling Water Healthy?

In general, sparkling water is as healthy as normal water. However, there are some flavored seltzers that have sugar added which makes them closer to a juice or soda. For example, flavored La Croix sparkling water has 0 calories and 0 added sugar. However, Spindrift sparkling water is not. Pay attention to the ingredients and nutrition labels when buying sparkling water. If it's flavored, there's a good chance it's no longer a drink that you should be drinking daily.

Sparkling Water Benefits

Sparkling water has quite a few benefits, whether you're drinking it straight or using it to add flair to mixed drinks and cocktails. There are even ways you can use it outside of drinking. Here are the top three.

First, it's a good weight management drink. Hydration plays a major factor in feeling full and sparkling water is a great option for staying hydrated. The carbonation can also help make the stomach feel fuller, so you can avoid excess eating when drinking it. Just remember, no drink is a substitute for an overall healthy and active lifestyle.

Second, it can help with digestion issues. Researchers have found that drinking sparkling water can be effective for relieving nausea, indigestion, and constipation. This makes it the perfect drink to have with a meal, especially if this is an issue you face often.

Third, it's a low-cost cleaning agent. Anyone who's ever had to remove red wine stains can speak to the efficacy of sparkling water. It can also be used for cleaning jewelry, cleaning pots and pans, removing rust, and more. The key is carbonation, which helps remove surface stains and rust. This makes it a great choice for bar and restaurant cleaning, so make sure to add it to your bar cleaning checklist or restaurant kitchen cleaning checklist.

For more set-in problems, we recommend investing in one of the best wine stain removers.

Does Sparkling Water Hydrate You?

Yes, sparkling water is hydrating. This is because it's essentially just regular water with minerals and carbonation added. If you're looking to drink more water, but want to add a little texture or mineral flavor, sparkling water is a great option.

Is Sparkling Water Bad For You?

While sparkling water has a number of benefits, it can also be potentially damaging depending on the type of water and how you're using it. The general rule is that unflavored options will be fine, but flavored and sugary options may not be. Consider what you're using it for and avoid unhealthy options. With that in mind, let's take a look at some disadvantages of sparkling water.

Disadvantages Of Sparkling Water

Sparkling water is a great mixer and soda replacer, but there are two main drawbacks to the drink. First, sparkling water can be overly sugary, which is dangerous for teeth and overall health. If you're drinking it regularly, you should make sure to stay active and take care of yourself.

Second, the carbonation in sparkling water can cause issues with gas and bloating. Some people have discovered that, rather than helping with digestion, sparkling water has the opposite effect. If this is the case for you, it may be worth switching to regular water.

Is Sparkling Water Bad For Your Teeth?

Possibly, depending on the amount of added sugar. Since the term sparkling water covers a range of drinks, there are a few options that have a high sugar and caloric content. Pay attention to the label and nutrition facts when shopping for sparkling water. The basic options will have minimal impact on your teeth, while flavored ones may be more comparable to a soda.

Sparkling Water Brands

Shopping for soda water has never been easier. Both longstanding club soda staples and a slew of new seltzer brands can be found in nearly every grocery store. We’ve listed our favorites below, but there are quite a few brands that are so well known you can expect to find them nearly everywhere.

Here are the ten most popular soda water brands:

Sparkling Water Drinks

Sparkling water can be used as a mixer in hundreds of cocktails. Whether you're making some light spring cocktails or refreshing summer cocktails, there's always a use for this bar staple.

With that in mind, here are some popular cocktails you can use sparkling water in:

Lemon Sour
Mojito
White Wine Spritzer
Vodka Soda
Sparkling Vodka Cranberry
Gin Rickey
Whiskey Highball
Gin Fizz
Sparkling Rum Cocktail
Lemon Drop

Look At The Sparkles!

Sparkling water is an all-encompassing term for a wide range of drink mixers. If you're looking to make any of the drinks every bartender should know or aphrodisiac drinks, you can always switch out club soda or seltzer for another type of sparkling water.

One thing to remember is that different flavors pair better with different types of alcohol, so feel free to test different options including flavored ones, to see what works best, or check out some of the best bartending books for more inspiration.

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