Which Sparkling Water Has the Highest pH?

December 19, 2025 •

4 min read

Most sparkling waters are mildly acidic due to the carbonation process, but a select few have a significantly higher pH. The answer to which sparkling water has the highest pH often depends on its mineral composition, which can naturally counteract the acidity caused by dissolved carbon dioxide.

Quick Summary

The highest pH sparkling water is typically a naturally carbonated mineral water, where alkaline minerals like bicarbonates offset carbonic acid. Flavored options, in contrast, are usually more acidic. Brands like Vichy Catalan and certain natural soda waters tend to have higher pH levels compared to standard seltzers or waters with added flavorings.

Key Points

Natural Mineral Water Has Highest pH: Sparkling mineral waters, especially those naturally carbonated and rich in bicarbonates like Vichy Catalan, typically have the highest pH levels.
Carbonation Causes Acidity: All sparkling water is mildly acidic due to the formation of carbonic acid when carbon dioxide is dissolved, which lowers the pH below 7.
Flavored Options are More Acidic: Flavored sparkling waters and seltzers are generally more acidic than plain varieties because of the addition of citric acid and other flavorings.
Minerals Neutralize Acidity: Natural minerals, particularly bicarbonates, act as buffers to counteract the effect of carbonic acid, raising the water's overall pH.
Reading Labels is Crucial: Consumers seeking higher pH should look for "natural mineral water" on the label and avoid those with added flavorings.
Dental Health Impact: While less acidic than soda, frequent consumption of lower-pH sparkling water can weaken tooth enamel over time, especially flavored options.
Sparkling Water vs. Tap Water: Even the highest pH sparkling water is less alkaline than many types of tap or still mineral water, which can be neutral or slightly alkaline.

Understanding pH in Sparkling Water

The pH scale is a measure of how acidic or alkaline a substance is, ranging from 0 to 14. A pH of 7 is neutral, while anything below 7 is acidic and anything above 7 is alkaline. For sparkling water, the carbonation process is the primary factor influencing its acidity. Carbon dioxide gas ($CO_2$) is dissolved into water ($H_2O$) under pressure, forming a weak carbonic acid ($H_2CO_3$). This chemical reaction is why sparkling water is almost always more acidic than flat water, which has a neutral pH of around 7.

However, the final pH of a sparkling water product is not solely determined by its carbonation. The mineral content of the water's source plays a crucial role. Naturally carbonated mineral waters sourced from underground springs often contain naturally occurring bicarbonates and other alkaline minerals. These minerals act as buffers, neutralizing some of the carbonic acid and raising the overall pH of the water. Artificially carbonated waters, like most seltzers, do not have this natural mineral buffering and are therefore typically more acidic.

The Role of Minerals and Additives

The presence of minerals is key to finding a higher-pH sparkling water. For example, some natural mineral waters bubble up through volcanic rock, picking up minerals that increase their pH. On the other hand, many flavored seltzers add citric or phosphoric acid for a tangy taste, which drives the pH even lower, sometimes to levels comparable to soft drinks. Always read the label to see if a product is a "sparkling mineral water" or a "flavored seltzer."

Here are some of the key differences to consider:

Natural Mineral Water: Tends to have a higher pH due to natural alkaline mineral content, such as calcium and magnesium bicarbonates, which buffer the carbonic acid.
Club Soda: Contains added sodium salts, often sodium bicarbonate (baking soda), to neutralize some of the acidity, resulting in a slightly higher pH than basic seltzer.
Seltzer Water: Is simply water with added carbonation and no additional minerals. Its pH is typically the lowest among unflavored options.
Flavored Seltzers: Often include acidic flavorings or acids like citric acid, which significantly lowers the pH and increases the erosive potential to tooth enamel.

Comparison of Sparkling Water pH Levels

To help identify which sparkling water has the highest pH, the following table compares several popular brands based on available research and product information. It's important to note that pH levels can vary slightly between batches or based on testing methods.


Brand	Type	Approximate pH Range	Key Characteristics
Vichy Catalan	Natural Mineral	6.82	High mineral content, naturally carbonated.
Badoit	Natural Mineral	6.0	Higher-pH natural mineral water.
Gerolsteiner	Natural Mineral	5.9	Naturally rich in minerals, including calcium and magnesium.
San Pellegrino	Natural Mineral	4.8-5.6	Naturally carbonated, pH varies by test and source.
Perrier	Natural Mineral	4.7-5.5	Naturally carbonated, moderately acidic.
LaCroix Pure	Seltzer	4.8	Plain seltzer, lower pH than mineral water.
Voss Sparkling	Carbonated Water	4.8	Artificially carbonated, moderately acidic.
Club Soda	Seltzer w/ additives	3.7-4.4	Added sodium bicarbonate for a higher pH than plain seltzer.
Bubly	Flavored Seltzer	2.9-3.9	Very acidic due to flavorings.

Factors Affecting pH Levels

Beyond the base carbonation, several factors can influence the final pH of a sparkling water bottle. The most significant is the source of the water itself. Naturally carbonated mineral waters, like Vichy Catalan or Gerolsteiner, source their water from mineral-rich springs. The presence of bicarbonates and other minerals acts as a buffer against the acidity caused by the carbon dioxide. In contrast, seltzer water starts with plain water and adds carbonation, lacking these natural buffers. Flavored sparkling waters often include citric acid or other artificial flavorings to create a tangy taste, which further lowers the pH. The level of carbonation can also play a minor role; more bubbles mean more carbonic acid, and thus a lower pH.

How to Choose Higher-pH Sparkling Water

If your goal is to find a sparkling water with a higher pH, focus on these characteristics:

Seek Natural Mineral Water: These are your best bet for a higher pH, as they contain natural alkaline minerals that balance the acidity.
Avoid Flavored Options: Flavored seltzers and sparkling waters almost always contain acidic additives that lower the pH significantly.
Read the Label: Look for brands that explicitly mention "natural mineral water" and examine the mineral content listed. Higher levels of bicarbonate are a good sign.
Test for Yourself: For true precision, you can use pH test strips at home. Just know that the pH will increase slightly as the water becomes decarbonated.

Conclusion

While most sparkling waters are inherently acidic due to carbonation, brands of natural mineral water like Vichy Catalan often have the highest pH, thanks to naturally occurring alkaline minerals. For consumers concerned about acidity, especially regarding dental health, opting for a natural mineral sparkling water rather than a flavored seltzer is the best choice. Ultimately, the quest for the highest pH sparkling water leads away from the artificial additives and towards the geological purity of naturally sourced mineral springs.

Visit FineWaters.com for more insights into the mineral content of bottled waters.

Frequently Asked Questions

All sparkling water is acidic because carbon dioxide gas, which creates the bubbles, dissolves in water to form carbonic acid. This naturally lowers the pH below the neutral 7 mark.

Truly alkaline sparkling waters (above a pH of 7) are rare because of the acidification from carbonation. However, some natural mineral waters, rich in alkaline minerals like bicarbonates, can have a high pH that approaches neutral, such as Vichy Catalan at 6.82.

Yes, natural mineral water is typically more alkaline than seltzer. It contains dissolved minerals that buffer the carbonic acid, resulting in a higher overall pH compared to seltzer, which lacks these natural mineral buffers.

Flavorings, particularly citric acid and other fruit extracts, significantly lower the pH of sparkling water. This is why flavored seltzers like Bubly are more acidic than plain sparkling water.

Plain, unflavored sparkling mineral water with a high pH is the best option for dental health. The mineral content can help mitigate the enamel-eroding effects of the mild acidity.

Based on available research, Vichy Catalan has one of the highest pH levels (6.82) among commercially available sparkling mineral waters. Its high mineral content makes it an exception to the typically more acidic carbonated options.

Yes, adding a pinch of baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) to sparkling water will increase its alkalinity. This is the same principle used in club soda, where sodium salts are added to raise the pH.