The key to any great party is a well-stocked bar. Far too many people assume that keeping a few different wines, beers and alcohols on hand is all they need to keep their guests happy and satisfied, but those party planners forget that many people don’t drink alcohol. Even people who do drink sometimes prefer something a little lighter or something that they can mix with alcohol. Both sparkling water and soda are good options to keep on hand, but it’s important to know the difference between the various types of water and drinks.
Carbonated Water
Sparking water, sometimes called carbonated water, is a type of water that contains a small amount of carbon dioxide. The carbon dioxide gives the water its light and sparkly texture. Some people call this type of drink soda water, and others use the term seltzer water. The taste of the water is similar to a glass of tap water but it leaves behind a fizzy feeling in the mouth.
Club Soda
Club soda, also called seltzer, is a type of sparkling water. Sparkling water typically contains carbon dioxide and no other fillers, but club soda can contain other additives. Club soda often has a small amount of sodium bicarbonate or salt, which gives it a richer flavor than ordinary sparkling water. Seltzer usually doesn’t contain that same salty flavor, which makes it a suitable choice for mixed drinks.
What About Effervescent Water?
Some people make the mistake of calling effervescent water sparkling water. While it contains the same type of bubbles, effervescent water is completely different. Manufacturers like Perrier find underground springs that naturally create the bubbles in the water. It typically has a richer and bolder flavor that other types of waters.
Tonic Water
While often stocked in professional and home bars, tonic water is completely unlike any other type of water. Manufacturers adds ingredients to the water, which gives it a bitter taste. Some bars keep tonic water behind the bar and add it to drinks from a spray gun, but it also comes in bottles that home bartenders can keep on hand.
Mixing Drinks
Sparkling water is a good choice for a home bar. Amateur bartenders can add a small amount of the water to a drink to tone down the overwhelming or harsh taste of the alcohol. Sparkling water works particularly well with vodka, because even the most expensive of vodkas can leave behind a harsh aftertaste. Club soda or seltzer work well in alcoholic and nonalcoholic drinks. Most home soda making kits rely on one of these sodas to give the finished product a light and fizzy taste. The rough taste of tonic water makes it a good match for gin, and it’s one of the only two ingredients found in a gin and tonic. The bitterness of the tonic melds with the harshness of the gin, creating a flavor that tantalizes the tongue.
Nonalcoholic Drinks
Mixing drinks with sparkling water is a simple way to treat party guests who don’t drink alcohol. The light and refreshing flavor of the water pairs nicely with fresh fruits. Add a handful of strawberries, raspberries or other berries into a glass filled with ice, and top with the water. Sparkling water also works nicely with a few slices of citrus fruits. Add ice and slices of lemon, lime or orange to a glass filled with sparkling water.
There are multiple types of waters that amateur bartenders use on a regular basis. Sparkling water contains carbon dioxide, which gives the water a fizzy texture, while soda water often had additives that changes its overall flavor.
Eileen Saw
