We Tasted As Many Sparkling Waters As We Could Find — Here Are the 4 Best

Much like Coca-Cola and Pepsi have uniquely polarizing powers (just ask anyone who’s ordered a Diet Coke if Pepsi is okay), sparkling water elicits strong feelings that are slightly more difficult to articulate. Aren’t all seltzers kind of the same? Isn’t it just…water?

As someone who’s had to endure a family vacation or two where the cooler was packed with the wrong seltzer, tasting through as many sparkling water options as we could find was a surprisingly educational experience. If you’ve ever wondered what makes a truly perfect plain seltzer, and the best ways to use each, read on.

Best seltzer for fans of big bubbles: 365 by Whole Foods Pure Sparkling Water

Not everyone is looking for a bold, bubble-heavy seltzer experience, but for those who are (and happen to live in one of the 45 states that have a Whole Foods Market), the grocery store’s house-brand sparkling water is sure to be a hit. Our editors found that it feels almost peppery on the tongue, and that this sensation lingers for a few seconds after sipping. 

“This would be the best one for sipping regularly, or keeping a box on your fridge for everyday use,” said social media editor Merlyn Miller. “It almost has a bit of a citrus flavor,” another added.

Best seltzer for fans of little bubbles: Polar Seltzer

Polar is known for out-of-the-box flavors like Cranberry Clementine and Pineapple Pomelo, but also makes unflavored sparkling water that resonated with editors who prefer smaller bubbles. “It's a strong hit of tight, little bubbles like pop rocks on the roof of your mouth,” said associate editor Amelia Schwartz. Another editor described the feeling of drinking this seltzer as a “gentle numbing effect, almost velvety.”

Best seltzer to enjoy with food: Saratoga Sparkling Water

You’ve probably encountered Saratoga’s sleek, blue bottle at restaurants before, but the seltzer also looks as good as it tastes. Expect a smooth texture that maintains crispness even an hour after opening the bottle. As its name suggests, this water is sourced from Saratoga Springs, New York, and while drinking it sadly won’t transport you there, the drinking experience is pleasant regardless. 

“It’s bubbly and dry,” said associate editorial director Ashley Day. “This has medium bubbles, and I think it’s a sparkling water everyone would love,” said another editor.

Best seltzer for making mixed drinks: Schweppes Original Sparkling Water

Even if you didn’t know that Schweppes makes tonic water and club soda, two key ingredients to making fizzy cocktails, it’s not hard to see why Schweppes sparkling water might play well with a shot of tequila or vodka. Available in both bottled and canned form (we tried bottled), this is the kind of sparkling water that almost cries out for a mixer. 

“The bubbles are pretty violent,” remarked social media editor Merlyn Miller. “It’s got a blunt effervescence to it.”