What's in club soda? Does club soda have sugar or calories? It turns out that club soda, despite its name, is not a soda at all, at least not in the traditional sense.
Club soda has no calories and contains no sugar (which makes it almost the same as seltzer water). In fact, the only ingredients in club soda are carbonated water, a dash of sodium, and sometimes citric acid, which gives it its tangy flavor.
If you’re curious about club soda calories, club soda benefits, or club soda cocktails, you’ve come to the right place.
Let’s dive in!
What Is Club Soda, Anyway?
Club soda, also known as carbonated water, is a naturally occurring mineral water that has been infused with CO2. Essentially, club soda is regular water altered slightly to give it a tiny bit of fizz and some added minerals. You will also have potassium show up on club soda's nutrient label more often than not. It will occasionally have a dash of citric acid for an extra zing, but this is not as common. Club soda generally is unflavored.
Additionally, it's important to note that club soda and seltzer water have grown synonymous. But did you know there is a slight difference when looking into the finite details? Here is the typical difference between the two:
Seltzer water is carbonated water with no additional components, while club soda does contain an additive—most commonly salt, but it can be another type of sodium variation.
Unless otherwise stated, we're going to follow the trend of club soda and seltzer water falling under the same umbrella here--they both have practically identical nutrition content.
Soda Water Calories
Club soda calorie content comes out to a grand zero.
Since soda water covers club soda and seltzer, it's just water that's been carbonated and given a hint of mineral content. There is no calorie count in the drink. Drinking seltzer or club soda in place of syrup-filled carbonated drinks (aka soda) will eliminate as many calories as drinking water.
Flavored Club Soda Calories
Club soda's calorie content typically remains zero, even after a flavor infusion. Grabbing a flavor-infused seltzer can be the most fantastic alternative to turn to when trying to cut back on your cola addiction. It can provide that same feel and flavor without all the added sugars. Flavored club sodas are also a great way to boost cocktails without adding in flavored syrups or sugary liqueurs.
Do Club Sodas Have Sugar or Carbs?
The short answer? Nope! Club soda does not have any sugar or calories. Club soda and seltzer are carb-free because they have no sugar in them. So if you're on a low-carb diet or are looking for a drink that meets your dietary needs, the go-to drink would be club soda or seltzer.
Soda Water Nutrients
It can be hard to calculate the nutritional value of drinking soda water. There are no disadvantages to drinking it, but it isn't jampacked with nutrients either. However, water of any kind is key to staying hydrating (as we all know). Consuming soda water can provide an excellent avenue for keeping your water intake up when flatwater grows boring. Finally, there are several minerals in soda water, but usually not enough to receive significant health benefits.
All that said, here is what you may see on the label of your favorite club soda:
- Calories: 0
- Carbs: 0
- Proteins: 0
- Cholesterol: 0
- Sodium: 75mg
- Potassium: 7mg
Other than the sodium and potassium, it looks relatively similar to a plain bottle of water, right?
5 Benefits of Soda Water
While club soda is most often used as a mixer, it can also be consumed on its own. In fact, many dietitians and nutritionists believe that club soda is healthier than traditional carbonated sodas because it contains no sugar or other additives. Whether you're drinking it straight or adding a bubbly flair to mixed drinks and cocktails, there are plenty of benefits to drinking soda water.
- Soda water can settle the stomach: The fizzy bubbles can make your stomach feel full, which can occasionally provide relief from nausea. A common concoction to soothe a queasy belly is to add a few dashes of cocktail bitters into club soda.
- Club soda is a natural diuretic: Diuretics increase urination, so drinking club soda helps rid your body of excess fluid build-up that causes puffiness and bloating in some people.
- Can decrease bloating: As with most high sodium beverages, club soda helps relieve bloating by stimulating thirst and aiding in hydration (keeping yourself well-hydrated flushes out excess sodium).
- Club soda is a great cleaning product: Club soda can be used to clean your home, car, and even your hair! Mix club soda with baking soda for an effective paste that can be used on everything from removing rust stains to getting rid of unpleasant odors.
- Acts a healthy alternative: A benefit of club soda worth repeating is its ability to sub in for syrupy sodas that are incredibly high in sugar content. It's also great for those who don't enjoy flat drinking water, as it provides a bit more substance. And if you're looking for a low-cal cocktail, combining your favorite spirit with club soda and a splash of lime juice will create a refreshing, guilt-free tipple.
Popular Club Soda Brands & Flavors
When determining club soda calories, each brand has a different ingredient list, so it's essential to check before buying. While all fizzy waters should remain at zero calories and carbohydrates, some of the flavored variations may sneak a few in there under the radar.
Below are some of the more popular club soda brands and flavors:
- Schweppes Sparkling Water
- Bubly Sparkling Water
- Poland Spring Sparkling water
- Spindrift Sparkling Water
- Bubly Sparkling Water
Honestly, the list goes on. Explore what works best for you! If you're drinking it straight, you may prefer one brand. But if you're making a mixed drink or a bubbly mocktail, you may opt for another. The good thing is that you can try as many different brands as possible without worrying about your health!
Popular Club Soda Cocktails
We've learned all there is to know when it comes to club soda calories, so let's talk about cocktails! Some beverages are almost synonymous with happy hours, such as margaritas and mojitos. They're tasty and refreshing, but they're also full of calories and sugar that can put your health at risk, not to mention your waistline.
Ordering soda water at a bar or restaurant might get you either club soda or seltzer, depending on what your server takes it to mean. But let's be honest--can you tell the difference? We can't!
When it comes to cocktail making, club soda or seltzer water can be used interchangeably in recipes or mixed drinks calling for soda water. The fizziness with a touch of dilution is what is wanted in these circumstances. And no matter what you're drinking it with—vodka, gin, tequila, fresh fruits (hi, mocktails)—it's still deliciously refreshing.
Below are some of the most frequently ordered cocktails or mixed drinks using club soda:
- Tom Collins
- Mojito
- Whiskey Highball
- Gin Fizz
- Aperol Spritz
- Daisy
- Presbyterian
- Singapore Sling
- Southside Fizz
- Gin Rickey
The list goes on! Of course, we cannot leave off the standard vodka soda, tequila soda, and gin soda. All of which are two-ingredient cocktails that are delicious as is or with an added splash of lime.
Conclusion
All in all, club soda calories are nonexistent, making it a healthy refresher to keep hydrated. For those who like their hydration station to come with a splash of fizz, soda water is the way to go. Team Mixly loves club soda on its own, but even more so in refreshing mocktails or mixology cocktails! Grab your favorite Mixly mixer, top it off with club soda, add your favorite spirit if desired, stir it, and enjoy the bubbly freshness!
