Soda water

Both are carbonated water. Soda water may have added minerals or salts, while sparkling water can be naturally carbonated or have carbon dioxide added; check the ingredient list if you want water with no added minerals.

No. Tonic water contains quinine and usually sugar or sweetener, so it tastes bitter-sweet; soda water is unsweetened and has a clean, neutral taste.

Yes. Use it very cold in tempura or pancake batter and mix only briefly: keeping the batter cold and leaving some small lumps helps it stay light. Fry tempura at about 180 °C until crisp and pale golden.

Add it to fruit juice or cordial for a simple fizzy drink, or use it to lengthen cocktails such as a gin and soda. Pour it in just before serving so the bubbles last.

Close the bottle tightly and refrigerate it. Use it while it is still fizzy; repeated opening and warm storage make it go flat more quickly.

Yes: carbonate cold drinking water with a soda maker or a refillable siphon designed for carbon dioxide. Follow the device’s filling instructions and never carbonate a sealed bottle that is not made for pressure.

Usually. Use plain, unsweetened sparkling water in the same amount, especially for batters and drinks; flavoured or mineral-rich water can alter the taste.