Beverages, carbonated, club soda

Club soda is plain carbonated water with a touch of added minerals for a slightly mineral edge, and it's used as a mixer for drinks and mocktails, a splash to lighten a fruit spritzer, or stirred into pancake or tempura batter where the bubbles help create a lighter texture. Unlike tonic water, it carries no added sweetness, which is why it shows up in classic highball cocktails like a Tom Collins or a simple whiskey and soda where a neutral fizz is wanted rather than a flavored one. It's typically served ice cold straight from a chilled bottle or can, often with a wedge of lime or lemon.

Keep it sealed and chilled until serving, since carbonation fades quickly once opened, and use opened bottles within a day or two while the fizz holds, tightening the cap firmly between pours to trap what carbonation remains. Per 100g it has 0 calories and just 21mg of sodium, so it functions as a zero-calorie way to add volume and effervescence to a drink or dish without contributing meaningfully to calorie or carbohydrate totals, whether it's topping off a cocktail, stretching a glass of juice, or lightening a batter for fritters or tempura before frying.