Seltzer

Seltzer water is artificially carbonated water with no added flavorings. In the New York City area, “seltzer water” is often synonymous with “soda water.” Aside from the bubbles, seltzer’s distinct quality is a slightly sour taste caused by the reaction of water with carbon dioxide gas.

Seltzer water takes its name from the German town of Niederselters, the site of a naturally carbonated mineral water spring. With low amounts of minerals and high carbonation, so-called Selters water earned a reputation as a popular table water. In the eighteenth century, Niederselters began exporting its water to North America, where the name became “Seltzer” water. The expense of imported mineral waters led American businessmen to concoct their own domestic water using artificial carbonation, added salts, and other chemicals. By 1810, artificial soda water, including locally made Seltzer water, was a popular refreshment in New York and Philadelphia. In the late nineteenth century, however, many soda bottlers stopped adding minerals to their seltzer water. Seltzer became simple tap water that had been filtered and carbonated before being bottled.