Everyone likes sodas – but what are they made of?

Carbonated water is known as soda water. When you ask for soda water you will get a club soda or seltzer water usually.

But what is it in these sodas that we like? I mean, it’s not veggies out there, nor is there meat. And its not just water and bubbles.

So, what is it?

I searched up the encyclopedias, and here is what I found. Remember though, that each soda, like Sprite or Coke, has different secret ingredients that we would perhaps never know.

But if we are to base it simply, soda is made up of essential water, which can be naturally obtained in a usable form, or mains water. This can be filtered in different ways or methods to obtain the final product and the filtration process depends upon the required beverage type. 

If it is in a drink, as a mixer, or enhancer, it can be used either way because the basic motto here is only carbonation. 

1. My next question was, how many calories are there in soda water 

After all, I didn’t want to gobble them up each morning. And neither should you.

Now, when we say soda water it means club soda or seltzer, so basically this is just water that is carbonated. So effectively, it has zero calories.

But wait, the Coke that you have has over 155 calories right? Well, it’s because what is added, the syrup – not just the water and bubbles.

Basic soda only has infused minerals, so can be used in place of soft drinks to have a low-calorie beverage. 

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As there is no sugar present, there are no carbohydrates in soda water. This is why it is a very popularly used product and also used in all recipes because of no dietary issues with it.

It is helpful because it does not impart any flavor and color, so can be used as a base easily plus, it can be used with anything and soda water will start tasting like that product. 

2. How is your favorite soda made?

Although there is a detailed list of ingredients that are used in making soft drinks which are mentioned below, they can be manufactured simply by using water, syrup, and carbon dioxide.

Just take the required and measured amounts of syrup and water and mix thoroughly.

Creating the syrup, however, is the requirement of the particular beverage you desire. Finally, carbonate the mixture, and it is ready.

Like I love 7Up, but if I didn’t have the syrup, it would just be plain old soda. It’s this coloring or flavoring agent that does the trick. I got soda machines for my home and all I need is to add the syrup and whizz it up. I wouldn’t say it tastes exactly like the store bought ones, but well, good enough!

And the difference in taste is because carbonation, on an industrial scale, is done by first lowering the tap water temperature to 8 degrees Celsius. A source of bicarbonate which is water soluble and basic is added to chilled water to raise the potenz hydrogen level.

The solution is then pressurized with carbon dioxide gas, which dissolves in water to form carbonic acid, hence lowering the solution’s pH.

This carbonated water is then put in a sealed container which is pressurized and even more carbon dioxide gas is added to keep water carbonated. 

You must have wondered why the soft drink or soda spills when you open the can.

So, when carbon dioxide is added to the beverage in the can it is at a very low temperature, and can hold a lot of gas a lot more than it can contain at a hot or normal temperature.

Now when you open the can which causes movement or the temperature rises, the gas escapes rapidly as small bubbles and thus the drink spills.

You must have observed a similar action with ice cream as well, when your pour soda over ice cream it bubbles.

This is because what we see with our naked eyes is a solid ice cream but microscopically it has very tiny ice crystals, so gas molecules from the soda sit on these crystals and become bubbles. 

3. Ingredients 

The element that adds fizz to soft drinks is CO2, a tasteless, inert, and non-toxic gas.

The amount of fizziness varies from beverage to beverage, so the amount of carbon dioxide is found low in fruity drinks, colas have medium levels, and tonics or other mixers have high carbonation. 

Water is always the main ingredient of almost all drinks, regular beverages which goes up to 98% in low-calorie products and around 90% in regular beverages.

Some products especially use spring water or natural water but considering the volume, usually mains water after further treatment is used for production and moreover, water is the solvent in which all the ingredients of that beverage will dissolve. 

But there is one other ingredient that many of us don’t know about – fruits. Yes, a fruit is added to soft drinks in various ways like fruit juices, and citrus products including fruit skins, fruit puree, etc. 

Substances added to increase shelf life, are called preservatives. They slow down the growth of microorganisms like yeast or bacteria.

Not all soft drinks contain them, but anything with a substantial amount of shelf life does. 

Soft drinks are usually sweetened by adding sugar that comes from beet or cane. This sugar is called sucrose.

Along with it glucose or fructose syrups are also used.  

Colors are added to soft drinks to make them more aesthetically pleasing. And that’s why we also have Sprite and 7UP bottles in green. Because without them, it kind of looks weird. I am sure you don’t want to look at a transparent bottle of 7UP.

And that’s why when you see a green bottle, you would know it’s either Sprite or 7UP. These manufacturers help us recognize our favorite brands by their particular colors at times – sort of brand building for them.

Colors – for the drink itself – are usually three types-  natural, artificial, and caramels. Based on the drink and requirements they are used. 

What drives you to pick a specific soft drink is the characteristic taste or flavor, all soft drinks, and if not all then almost all of them have some or the other type of flavoring.

These can be both natural and artificial. 

Apart from the normal sodas, we also have drinks like Gatorades. Sports energy drinks, if you will. And they have something more in them – electrolytes. When we exercise our body fluids lose some electrolytes due to sweating like potassium and sodium.  Our body has certain salts like chloride, potassium, and calcium. These are essential for our nervous systems.

Finally, we have one ingredient that most store bought sodas have – caffeine. This gets you a little energized after the consumption of a can of cola. Caffeine increases alertness in humans. It is extracted from plants usually and added to soft drinks in different quantities. 

We asked around why people love sodas, and here is what they have to say…

“Soda is the perfect pick-me-up. That burst of sugar and caffeine is exactly what I need to get through the day”

Stuart Broad, Collegegoer

Soda has this way of making conversations linger and meals more enjoyable. It’s the centerpiece of many of my favorite memories.

Rhea Roy, IT professional

There’s a sense of nostalgia that comes with sodas. They remind me of childhood and simpler times. Plus, the taste has always been a favorite.

Kina Ray, eMarketer

Soda making is based on the concept of carbonation using carbon dioxide gas and is most commonly found as seltzer or club soda. Being colorless and flavorless it can be easily consumed straight or mixed with anything to enhance its fizziness while retaining its original taste. 

Last Updated on April 7, 2024 by soubhik