Key findings
- 1Club soda is carbonated water with trace minerals with no sugar, flavors, or preservatives
- 2The only difference between club soda, seltzer, and sparkling water is whether minerals are added
- 3In our analysis, club soda products average a Processing Score of 2.5, which is Level 1
Why is Club Soda Level 1 on average?
Club soda is one of the simplest beverages available. The manufacturing process involves dissolving carbon dioxide into purified water under pressure (carbonation) and adding trace minerals for a slightly salty, mineral taste. Sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), sodium citrate, and potassium sulfate are the typical mineral additions; all simple, recognizable compounds. This distinguishes club soda from plain sparkling water (which has no added minerals) and seltzer (which is identical to sparkling water). Tonic water is the outlier in the carbonated water family, containing sugar and quinine. Club soda contains no sugar, no sweeteners, no flavors, and no preservatives; it is essentially mineral-enhanced sparkling water.
How 75 club soda products break down
Share of products at each processing level, in our analysis.
Club Soda brand comparison
From least to most processed in our database.
How to read a club soda label
- 1
Club soda should list only carbonated water and minerals (sodium bicarbonate, potassium sulfate)
- 2
No sugar, sweeteners, or flavors should be present; if they are, it is a different product
- 3
Sodium content is minimal; typically 35-75mg per 12oz serving from the added minerals
- 4
Club soda, seltzer, and sparkling water are all simple carbonated waters; the mineral addition does not change the processing much
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Frequently asked questions
Is club soda the same as sparkling water?
Nearly identical. Club soda has small amounts of added minerals (sodium bicarbonate, potassium sulfate) for a slightly mineral taste. Sparkling water and seltzer are just carbonated water with no additions. All three are about as simple as a packaged beverage gets.
Is club soda healthier than tonic water?
From a processing standpoint, club soda is far simpler than tonic water. Club soda has zero sugar and zero calories. Tonic water contains approximately 32g of sugar per 12oz, comparable to soda.
Does the sodium in club soda matter?
Club soda contains 35-75mg of sodium per serving from added minerals. This is a small fraction of the daily recommended limit. For most people, this amount is negligible.