What’s the Difference? Seltzer Water and Tonic Water
As you are looking for ways to offer sparkling water to your customers and staff, you will come across a variety of bubbly water options. But while there are many choices, each delightfully effervescent drink has its own unique characteristics. This is especially true when it comes to comparing seltzer water and tonic water.
It’s important for business owners and operations managers to understand that these two water types cannot be used interchangeably.
In fact, if a staff member serves a customer or client tonic instead of seltzer, the drinker will certainly notice. So, what’s the difference between seltzer water and tonic water? Here’s what you need to know about each of these carbonated water types, including how they can be used in your restaurant, bar, hotel, or office.
What is Seltzer Water?
Seltzer water, also called sparkling water, is pure and simple. This water type gets its bubbles from the basic addition of carbon dioxide. Because sparkling water has a neutral, flavorless taste, it can be used in a variety of drinks and even food recipes. The versatility of seltzer is just one reason why more and more businesses are installing commercial seltzer machines and sparkling water dispensers.
Seltzer Water Uses
- Sparkling water cocktails and nonalcoholic mocktails
- Housemade sodas
- Diet-friendly sparkling water drink recipes
- Chia-infused energy drinks
- Bubbly iced coffee and tea
- Sparkling, chilled desserts
- Better, fluffier pancakes and rice
- Light and airy pizza dough and tempura batter
What is Tonic Water?
While seltzer water has a neutral flavor, tonic water contains other ingredients that give it its unique taste. In addition to carbon dioxide, tonic contains quinine and either a sweetener such as high fructose corn syrup in regular varieties (which adds calories), or an artificial sweetener such as saccharin, aspartame, or sucralose in diet varieties. These additives make tonic water taste bitter and slightly sweet. This is precisely why you shouldn’t substitute tonic for seltzer in certain recipes.
Uses for Tonic Water
- Classic gin and tonic
- Other mixed drinks that benefit from tonic water like vodka tonic, rum and tonic, etc.
- Certain mocktails that need a slightly bitter kick such as carbonated lemonades
- Nonalcoholic tonic coolers
Taste the Difference Between Seltzer Water and Tonic Water-
Sparkling water dispensers are the perfect choice for every business as they offer filtered seltzer water on-demand that can be used in a variety of ways. And because these machines are designed to work with your business’s tap water system, they drastically reduce contaminants found in municipal drinking water. This means the seltzer you offer your staff and patrons will be the freshest, cleanest water they have ever had! After just one taste, you will clearly understand why a commercial water dispenser is the best choice for your business.
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