Can you put Liquid IV in carbonated water? Here’s what happens

December 17, 2025 •

4 min read

The chemical reaction between citric acid and sodium bicarbonate is a common science experiment, and a similar bubbly eruption is exactly what happens when you combine Liquid IV with carbonated water. This is because Liquid IV contains citric acid, which reacts with the dissolved carbon dioxide in sparkling water, leading to a foamy overflow.

Quick Summary

Mixing Liquid IV directly into carbonated water causes a vigorous foaming reaction, resulting in a mess and a loss of carbonation. This happens because of the citric acid in the powder reacting with the dissolved CO2. To avoid the fizzy eruption, dissolve the powder in still water first before combining it with sparkling water.

Key Points

Causes Explosive Foaming: Pouring Liquid IV directly into carbonated water causes a fizzing overflow due to a chemical reaction between citric acid and dissolved CO2.
Mix in Still Water First: The best way to get a fizzy electrolyte drink is to completely dissolve the powder in a small amount of still water before adding carbonated water.
Mixing Affects Fizz: The initial rapid reaction will significantly reduce the final fizziness of your drink.
Stick to Plain Water for Optimal Results: For the most efficient hydration based on the Oral Rehydration Solution formula, mixing with plain water as directed is recommended by Liquid IV.
No Safety Concerns Beyond a Mess: The foaming is not dangerous, but it does create a sticky and unpleasant mess.
Use Electrolyte Ice Cubes: An alternative for a cold, fizzy drink is to make ice cubes from pre-mixed Liquid IV and use them in sparkling water.

The Science Behind the Fizz: Why Liquid IV and Carbonated Water Don't Mix

Many people love the idea of a refreshing, fizzy electrolyte drink. After all, sparkling water has become a popular hydrating alternative, and Liquid IV is a go-to for electrolyte replenishment. But what happens when you combine the two? The result is not the pleasant, bubbly beverage you might expect. Instead, you get a quick, foamy, and potentially messy overflow.

The culprit behind this reaction is simple kitchen chemistry. Liquid IV's formula contains citric acid, which is also a key ingredient in effervescent tablets like Alka-Seltzer. Carbonated water, by definition, contains dissolved carbon dioxide (CO2) gas. When you pour the powdered mix into the carbonated liquid, the citric acid reacts with the carbon dioxide, causing the gas to rapidly release from the solution. This creates a large volume of bubbles and foam that quickly escapes from the bottle or glass.

This is similar to the classic baking soda and vinegar volcano science fair project, where an acid reacts with a base to produce carbon dioxide. While Liquid IV doesn't contain baking soda, the citric acid reacts strongly with the CO2 already in the water, producing the same explosive foaming effect.

The Correct Way to Mix Liquid IV with Carbonated Water

If you still want a fizzy electrolyte drink, there are ways to achieve it without the volcanic eruption. The key is to pre-mix the Liquid IV powder in a small amount of still water first, allowing the initial fizzing reaction to complete in a contained space.

Here is a step-by-step guide to the correct mixing method:

Start with still water: Pour a small amount of still, cold water (a few ounces) into your glass or bottle first. This provides a medium for the powder to dissolve and react in a controlled manner.
Add the Liquid IV powder: Pour one stick of Liquid IV into the small amount of still water. Stir or shake thoroughly until the powder is completely dissolved.
Wait for the fizz to subside: You'll notice a bit of fizzing as the citric acid reacts with any remaining carbonation from the air or trace minerals. Wait until this initial, minor reaction is finished.
Slowly add the carbonated water: Once the powder is fully dissolved, slowly top off the mixture with your carbonated water, seltzer, or club soda. Pouring slowly helps preserve the maximum amount of carbonation and prevents another round of vigorous foaming.
Enjoy: You now have a custom fizzy electrolyte beverage. You can even add ice made from Liquid IV and water for extra flavor and chill.

Can You Use Less Water Than Recommended?

While it might seem like a good idea to create a more concentrated mixture, it's not recommended by the manufacturer. Liquid IV is formulated with a precise ratio of nutrients to achieve optimal hydration benefits. Diluting or saturating the formula can make it less effective. This is due to the science of Oral Rehydration Solutions (ORS), which rely on specific ratios of sugar and electrolytes for rapid absorption.

Potential Issues and Concerns

Beyond the potential mess, there are other considerations when deviating from the standard mixing instructions.

Diminished Carbonation: The reaction between the powder and the carbonated water will inevitably cause a significant loss of fizz. The fast release of CO2 means your final drink will be less carbonated than the sparkling water you started with.
Altered Flavor and Function: Mixing Liquid IV with liquids other than plain water has not been tested by the company for hydration benefits. While adding some fizzy water to a pre-mixed solution is unlikely to drastically change its efficacy, it's best to stick to water for maximum absorption.
Safety Concerns: While not dangerous, the explosive overflow can be a nuisance and may be mistaken for a more serious chemical reaction. It's best to be aware of the cause and take precautions to avoid a sticky mess.

Comparison Table: Mixing Methods


Feature	Incorrect Mixing (Pouring into carbonated water)	Correct Mixing (Pre-dissolving in still water)
Initial Reaction	Immediate, violent foaming and overflow	Controlled, minimal fizzing
Mess Potential	High; can overflow onto surfaces	Low; contained in the initial mixing vessel
Preservation of Fizz	Poor; most carbonation is lost rapidly	Good; most carbonation is retained
Steps	1. Pour powder into sparkling water	1. Dissolve powder in a splash of still water. 2. Add sparkling water slowly.
Result	A flat, sticky, and less pleasant drink	A fizzy, refreshing, and properly carbonated drink

Conclusion

While you can technically put Liquid IV in carbonated water, doing so directly will cause a messy and anticlimactic bubbly eruption. The science is straightforward: the citric acid in the powder reacts with the CO2 gas in the sparkling water. To enjoy a fizzy, electrolyte-boosted drink, the best approach is to dissolve the powder in a small amount of still water first before carefully topping it off with carbonated water. This method allows you to enjoy the flavor and bubbles without the overflow, ensuring a refreshing and properly prepared beverage. For optimal hydration results as intended by the manufacturer, sticking to plain water is always the safest and most reliable option.

Visit Liquid IV's official website for more information on their products and mixing instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Liquid IV contains citric acid, which reacts with the dissolved carbon dioxide gas in carbonated water. This reaction causes a rapid release of gas, creating a large, foamy overflow.

Yes, it is generally safe to consume. The chemical reaction is not dangerous, but the resulting drink may be less fizzy, a bit flat, and less concentrated if a significant amount of the mixture overflowed.

Yes, you can use flavored seltzer water, but you should still follow the correct mixing procedure: dissolve the powder in a small amount of plain water first, then slowly add the seltzer to avoid foaming.

Mixing with water as directed is recommended for optimal hydration benefits, as the formula is scientifically balanced for maximum absorption. While adding it to sparkling water won't negate the benefits, it's not the intended delivery method.

The best method is to pour the powder into a small amount of still, cold water. Stir thoroughly until dissolved, and then slowly top it off with sparkling water. This prevents a messy overflow.

No, you should never add electrolyte powder or any other flavorings to a SodaStream machine before carbonating. Adding anything other than plain water to a SodaStream can cause an eruption of the liquid and severely damage the machine.

A great alternative is to mix the Liquid IV with water and freeze it into ice cubes. You can then add these flavored ice cubes to plain sparkling water for a chilled, slightly flavored, and fizzy drink.

According to the manufacturer's instructions, you should mix one stick of Liquid IV powder into 16oz (500mL) of water for the correct concentration.