Carbonated water has become increasingly popular in the United States, and it has been a staple in Europe and many other parts of the world for many years. Before telling you how to make them, let’s first discuss the differences in soda water, sparkling water and carbonated water.

Carbonated water is just what it sounds like, it is water that is carbonated using carbon dioxide gas (Co2). However, there are different types of carbonated water depending on what they contain. However, keep in mind that many people use these terms interchangeably, so the name is not always an accurate way to know what your carbonated water contains unless you make it yourself.

• Club Soda – This is made by adding sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and sometimes other minerals like sodium chloride (just plain table salt), potassium sulfate and disodium phosphate. Often, it is just a little baking soda and water. You can start with 0.6 grams of baking soda per liter of water. The sodium continent changes the bubbles in the water. It is considered good for cocktails, and some feel it aids in digestion.
• Sparkling Water – This is typically plain water with no flavor. It would have no added minerals. In general, it should have a very neutral taste.
• Carbonated Mineral Water – This is a very common type of carbonated water found in stores and it often comes from natural springs. Topo Chico from Mexico and San Pellegrino from Italy are two of the better-known examples. Carbonated mineral water can also be created using reverse osmosis (R.O.) or distilled water with minerals added back in.Click here for a 5 gallon batch of a topo clone.
• Tonic Water – This is a unique carbonated water that is used primarily for making mixed drinks like Gin and Tonics. What makes it unique is the addition of quinine. Quinine, which is derived from the bark of the cinchona tree. Iit makes the water bitter and was originally served to British soldiers in India to fight malaria. It typically also contains some sugar to mellow the bitterness of the quinine. Winston Churchill is quoted as saying “Gin and tonic has saved more Englishmen's lives, and minds, than all the doctors in the Empire.”.

Cost of Carbonated water - Carbonating water can be expensive when using proprietary systems, but when using one of our systems it is very affordable. A five pound CO2 cylinder carbonates between 25 and 35 gallons of water (depends on how carbonated you like your water. For the sake of this calculation we will use 30 gallons. The cost to fill a 5 pound cylinder varies a lot around the country, but we believe the average is around $25. This works out to about 83 cents per gallon. This is .0065 cents per ounce, so 12 ounce serving would cost 7.8 cents or a 6 pack would cost 47 cents.

So, now that we have an idea of the differences in types of carbonated water and the cost to produce this water. Now let's look at how it is done. We usually make carbonated water in two ways.

TheBasic Fizz Kitis standard two-liter bottle that you would buy soft drinks in at the store (Including club soda and tonic water). This kit is very easy to use. You simply fill the two liter bottle with water, leave in fridge until cold (cold water carbonates much better than room temperature water), screw on thestainless steel carbonation cap, connect thedisconnectto the cap, turn regulator up to about 35 PSI and shake the bottle vigorously for about a minute (you can vary depending on the level of carbonation you prefer). You now have carbonated water you can store in your kitchen fridge.Here is a videoshowing how to do this. Keep in mind that this video uses a different CO2 cylinder, but the function is basically the same.

The Complete Fizz Kits are versions that carbonate 5 gallons of water at a time and can give you a limitless supply of carbonated water. They work on the same principle as the basic Fizz Kit, but with three options depending on your dispensing technique. With these kits you just set the pressure on the regulator, connect the disconnect to the post on the lid. This post uses a quick carbonating keg lid. This has a hose that goes into the keg and connects to a carbonation stone. This stone is very efficient in carbonating the water. Just put the keg in a fridge and let it sit until the carbonation level is achieved. There is no need to shake the keg. The time needed will depend on how long the keg takes to cool, but it should be carbonated by the next day. There are three kits that each represent a different way to dispense the carbonated water. Here are the three options:

1. Event Kit - We call this an Event Kit, but it can be used in your home or office as well. Instead of having a fixed faucet, the dispense faucet is hand held. Because it utilizes a CMB Flow Control Event Faucet it will perfectly dispense your sparkling water at the proper rate for a perfect pour. You can just put the keg in a fridge and there is no need to modify the fridge or mount anything. As an added bonus, this kit is portable, so you can take it anywhere!
2. Shank or “Fridge” Kit - This kit allows for mounting in an upright fridge or a keezer. Just drill a hole using a 15/16 hole saw . Then, push the shank through the hole and put the hardware on the back. Click here to see a video showing this. You can also add this system to a Keezer, which is built using a chest freezer.
3. Tower or “counter top” Kit - This kit is used when you want a tower mounted to a kegerator or a countertop. It utilizes a CMB flow control faucet in a 3” commercial stainless steel tower. This is mounted to a kegerator or you can drill a hole in a countertop and mount the tower to the top.

We have covered multiple ways to set up a carbonated water system in your home or office. We don’t just sell these items at Kegconnection. We use them in our office and our homes. Need help or have questions? That is what we are here for. Please contact us at help@kegconnection.com or call us at 325-356-5204. We love carbonated water and want you to enjoy it as well!