We Taste-Tested 17 Sparkling Waters – Here’s What We Learned

With the explosion of sparkling water and seltzer options on shelves, it’s easy to get lost among fizzy bottles and cans—all promising clean refreshment or a zippy uplift. Are mineral waters noticeably different from seltzers or club soda? Do expensive European brands offer discernible superiority compared to your corner store’s generic fizz? Do enthusiasts really have a favorite, or is it all in the bubbles?

To answer these questions, we set out on a rigorous, blind taste test of 17 of the most recognizable and widely available sparkling water, seltzer, and club soda brands. Here’s what we discovered in a day brimming with carbonation, lively debate, and more than a few burps.

What Is Sparkling Water—And What Makes Each Type Distinct?

All carbonated waters may look similar, but their labels tell different stories. Here’s a quick primer on what separates sparkling water, seltzer, and club soda:

• Sparkling Water: An umbrella term that covers any plain water with carbonation, whether naturally occurring (mineral springs) or artificially injected.
• Seltzer: Water that has been artificially carbonated—typically without minerals or salts added. Pure, simple, and fizzy.
• Club Soda: Water with artificial carbonation plus added minerals and salts (such as sodium bicarbonate or potassium sulfate), resulting in a distinct, sometimes saline flavor.

This test lined up all three types, both in generic supermarket form and iconic glass-bottled imports—without brand names revealed during tasting.

Here’s What We Concluded

• Individual differences were real—but category boundaries were fuzzy. Few tasters could consistently peg a sample as seltzer, club soda, or mineral water just by taste or texture alone.
• Perceptions varied wildly: One taster’s elegant “flat Champagne” was another’s “bland tap water.” Preference and palates ranged widely for every single bottle or can.
• Bubbles are everything: Sharp, tiny bubbles were described as “sparky” or “almost aggressive,” while larger, slower bubbles elicited words like “soft” or “mellow.” Bubble quality, not just intensity, divided opinions.
• Price doesn’t correlate with perception: Cheap brands often masqueraded as fancy glass-bottled imports and vice versa. No one identified the most expensive bottles, and reverse happened too—one affordable club soda drew “premium” guesses.
• Food pairings matter: Some sparkling waters seemed tailored for food—aggressive bubbles might cut through spicy fare, while gentle fizz paired better with light bites or sipped solo.
• Temperature shifts experience: All waters were tested at room temperature for equality, but most tasters agreed that serving chilled would have changed which samples felt “refreshing.”
• Blind taste tests break brand loyalty: While one self-proclaimed La Croix fan correctly identified their favorite, other “brand experts” missed, and surprises abounded.
• Caution: Consuming this much sparkling water in a sitting leads to undeniable fullness—and notable burpiness.

Meet the Contestants: The 6 Sparkling Waters

These entries were labeled explicitly as “sparkling water”—typically implying carbonation, sometimes natural minerals, but without salts.

• Whole Foods Brand Italian Sparkling Water: Touted for a “clean” and mild flavor, with big, slow bubbles. Most guessed—correctly—it came from a glass bottle. Taste was considered neutral and notably inoffensive.
• Poland Spring: Draws divisive opinions. Some noted a “plasticky” undertone, while others raved about its “minerality.” One taster compared the experience to “sucking on a rock.”
• Mountain Valley: Widely praised for soft yet distinctive, persistent bubbles. “Each bubble is its own character,” with subtle but pleasant mineral notes.
• La Croix: One dedicated fan, Samantha, immediately recognized it, describing La Croix as “summer in a can.” It offered smaller, long-lasting bubbles—a “cascading” effect fading gently on the tongue.
• Voss: Described as subtly sweet, with minimal carbonation and a “taste of beginning.” Fizz is almost absent, yielding a quiet experience.
• San Benedetto: Dubbed “tap water” by several tasters. Features prickly, needle-like tiny bubbles, similar to Pop Rocks or soft carbonation that surprises more on the tongue than the palate.

The 5 Seltzers: How Simple Fizz Surprises

Seltzer is all about simplicity: water, carbon dioxide, and nothing else. But even within these constraints, the bottles and cans spanned a surprising range of textures.

• Boylan: The most effervescent, with bubbles described as “slap-to-the-face aggressive” and a foamy texture that divided the crowd.
• Polar: Gentle giants of the group: large, mellow bubbles and a robust “water” taste. Several noted a fleeting citrus or lime flavor, though none is added—demonstrating how carbonation can enhance aroma and taste clarity.
• Fairway Brand: Quick, punctuating bubbles delivered a “ping-ping-ping” sensation. Texture felt light and foamy—one editor found hints of lemon, another a slight metallic tang.
• Hal’s: A taster dubbed this “cake water”—the softest and sweetest of the bunch, thanks to tiny, sparse bubbles and an unusually easy-drinking feel.
• Adirondack: The flattest seltzer. Reminiscent of both tap water and “flat champagne,” its bubbles swiftly skirted to the back of the mouth before punctuating the finish.

Tasting Club Soda: Extra Minerals, Extra Debate

Club soda adds minerals for added flavor complexity. Here, too, most tasters struggled to pick it out reliably, but some descriptors stood out. (Note: Not all club sodas available are covered below for brevity.)

• Whole Foods-365 Club Soda: Surprised tasters with an elevated, “expensive” aura despite its affordable price point. Bubbles moderate, flavor leaned neutral with slight salinity.
• Canada Dry Club Soda: Not industry-breaking, but respected for solid, medium bubbles and a clean profile—delivering exactly what drinkers sought in mixers.
• Schweppes Club Soda: Classic, balanced, and a familiar favorite for several participants, notable for its smooth salinity and consistent fizz.
• Other brands: All conveyed a mouthfeel somewhat rounder or “saltier” than seltzer, but rarely could tasters pinpoint precisely why.

What Makes a Sparkling Water Stand Out?

In analyzing the experiences across all 17 bottles and cans, a few standout trends emerged:

• Bubble quality made or broke the drink. Large, mellow, or extremely small, prickly bubbles each left distinct impressions. Bold carbonation could feel refreshing or overwhelming, depending on the crowd.
• Minerality and aftertaste: Subtle mineral flavors drew both devotees (“nice minerality”) and detractors (“tastes like rocks,” “plasticky”).
• Cleanliness of flavor: Samples described as “neutral” or “clean” generally scored higher, though a loyal few relished unusual tastes.
• Pairings and applications: Some sparkling waters would shine with cocktails or food, while others excelled flying solo as a soda substitute.
• Packaging surprise: Nearly no one reliably identified glass-bottled imports versus generic plastic bottles simply by taste, especially with chilled temperature missing from the equation.

Standout Winners and Personal Favorites

The takeaways may surprise fans loyal to classic brands:

• La Croix and Mountain Valley routinely won highest marks for overall experience—the former for its unique fizz and drinkability, the latter for its balanced minerality and elegant, persistent bubbles.
• Whole Foods-365 Club Soda was rated “more expensive,” though it’s among the cheapest on the table, showing the power of preconceived bias when names are hidden.
• Hal’s Seltzer: Nicknamed “cake water,” this option pleased sweet-seeking, sweetness averse tasters alike, thanks to its gentle bubbles and easy finish.

A Table of Sparkling Waters: Snapshot Comparison

Tips for Picking Your Perfect Sparkling Water

• Think bubble size: If you love an effervescent blast, seek those with “aggressive” or “slap-to-the-face” bubbles (Boylan, for example). For gentler sipping, go with the soft fizz of Mountain Valley or Voss.
• Consider minerality: Adventurous tasters may enjoy more “rocky” flavors (Poland Spring, Mountain Valley), while others prefer “clean” or barely-there tasting waters (Whole Foods Italian, Hal’s).
• Check for added ingredients: Club sodas contain salts, which subtly alter the mouthfeel and flavor. If you value purity, opt for labeled seltzer.
• Match with your consumption occasion: Aggressively carbonated waters can refresh after spicy meals; delicate ones make better afternoon sippers or wine substitutes.
• Price means little: Don’t be swayed by glass or imported mystique—your favorite may be hiding in a generic can.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

How do seltzer, sparkling water, and club soda differ?

Seltzer is carbonated water without added minerals; sparkling water may be naturally carbonated or artificially so, and may contain mineral content. Club soda includes carbonation plus added minerals and salts for more pronounced flavor.

Is there a health difference between types?

All are generally calorie-free and hydrating, but club soda’s added sodium may be worth noting for those monitoring salt intake. Flavored versions can include sweeteners—always check labels if that’s a concern.

Does bottle type (glass, can, plastic) impact flavor?

Blind taste tests don’t reliably separate glass from can or plastic by flavor alone, but some claim subtle differences. The freshness of carbonation seems to matter more, as does temperature at serving.

Why do bubble textures matter so much?

The type and quantity of carbonation (how finely and how much CO₂ is infused) creates very different mouthfeels and sensory experiences—some people love intensity, others want smoother sipping. Bubble experiences shape preference more than water chemistry alone.

Final Thoughts: The Joy (and Fullness) of Sparkling Water Tasting

What began as a quest for the ‘best’ sparkling water became a meditation on personal preference—and the sheer variety possible for a simple combination of water and bubbles. Whether you love sharp carbonation, faint minerality, or velvety fizz, there’s a sparkling water out there for you. Blind taste tests level the fizzy playing field—so next time the craving strikes, skip the fancy bottle if you wish. The happiness is in the bubbles themselves.

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