With the art of cocktails gaining more and more fans every day, it's good to know the basics. Most cocktails include some sort of mixer, or a neutral beverage that acts as a carrier for the alcohol. When it comes to water, you're not confined to the basic flat variety. There are several types of carbonated waters that add texture and sometimes flavor to your cocktails. Club soda, tonic water, seltzer, and mineral water are all varieties of carbonated water that can be used as a mixer for your cocktails.

Below you'll find a basic description of each and the characteristics that make them similar or set them apart from the rest.

Seltzer Water - Seltzer is the most basic of carbonated waters. It is simply water that has had carbon dioxide dissolved into it, which creates the carbonated gas bubbles. The flavor is neutral and it is not sweetened. Seltzer was originally created as an affordable alternative to expensive imported mineral waters that were naturally carbonated. Although most seltzer water today is carbonated before packaging, original seltzer water was sold in a glass bottle with a syphon top and a carbon dioxide cartridge that would inject the carbon dioxide as the water was dispensed.

Club Soda - Although most people use club soda and seltzer water interchangeably, they are in fact different. While seltzer is plain water with carbon dioxide dissolved into it, club soda also has small amounts of other minerals added for flavor. Club soda typically contains potassium bicarbonate and potassium sulfate, although the mix may vary from brand to brand.

Because of these minerals, club soda does contribute a small amount to your daily sodium intake (nutritional data here).

Mineral Water - Mineral water is water collected from a natural underground source, each with its own unique mix of dissolved minerals. These minerals give each brand of water a unique flavor. Mineral water can be either flat or carbonated, the carbonation occurring naturally. Examples of mineral waters that are naturally carbonated include Perrier or San Pellegrino. These waters are quite refreshing on their own and are seldom used as mixers in cocktails.

Tonic Water - Tonic water is quite different from the other three carbonated waters for a couple of reasons. Tonic water gets its name because it was once consumed as an anti-malarial tonic. This beverage contains dissolved quinine, which in substantial dosages can act as a prophylactic towards malaria. Most tonic waters today do not contain a significant amount of quinine, only enough to give the beverage its distinctly bitter flavor.

The bitter flavor of tonic water is enjoyed by many and pairs particularly well with gin. To offset the bitter flavor, tonic water is also sweetened, so it is a significant source of calories (nutrition data here). Diet varieties of tonic water are readily available on the market. Some tonic waters come pre flavored with either lemon or lime.

Now that you're briefed on the different fizzy options for mixers, you can start your bar off right and make sure that you're prepared for any party!