Soda
Also known as: club soda, soda water
In short
Soda is carbonated water and the bar's classic lengthener: it turns a sour into a collins and a spirit into a highball. We explain the differences and why the bubbles have to stay.
In depth
What is soda?
Soda is water with carbonation, the classic among the bar's lengtheners. It dilutes slightly, chills along the way and brings length to the glass without tasting of itself. Perfect for stretching a spirit or a small drink into a long one.
Soda, seltzer, sparkling
- Soda water: water with carbonation, often fortified with minerals such as sodium bicarbonate
- Seltzer: pure carbonated water, no additives
- Mineral water: sparkling water with its own mineral content
- Tonic water: not a soda but a bitter lemonade with quinine and sugar, as you know from our gin entry
Why soda lengthens
Soda is the dry lengthener: it brings length without sweetness. The collins is the proof: "The sour is the formula, the fizz the sparkle, the collins the length." With soda, a sour becomes a collins and a spirit becomes a highball. And you know the matching glass as well: "The tumbler is made for the ice, the highball glass for the bubbles."
The pro tip
Soda belongs on the drink fresh, old carbonation is no fun. Pour it gently along the bar spoon or down the side of the glass, and the bubbles stay where they belong.
Classics with soda
Tom collins, gin fizz, mojito and the simple whisky soda: the length in the glass is often just one soda away.
At our lounge
Ask us for a drink with fresh soda, the bubbles make half the show.