Can You Freeze Sparkling Water?

By: Jan Helge
Date: May 26, 2024
Time to read: 5 min.

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Sparkling water is a refreshing drink that can be enjoyed all year round. It has gained popularity in the past few years, and you may be wondering if you can freeze it.

You can freeze sparkling water, but there are a few things to keep in mind. The first is that it will lose its fizziness. This is because the carbon dioxide gas that gives it bubbles will escape when frozen. The second is that it can cause freezer burn if not stored properly.

In this blog post, I will discuss what will happen to sparkling water and answer any related questions on the topic.

Can You Freeze Sparkling Water?

Water expands as it freezes because the molecules stop moving, and the liquid turns into a solid. So, as a general rule, when you put water in the freezer, you should anticipate it to expand by roughly 9%.

Carbonated water will expand at a similar rate, but since it contains tiny carbon dioxide bubbles, it may exhibit certain peculiar swelling patterns that may be problematic to freeze.

What Will Happen When You Freeze Carbonated Water?

When freezing sparkling water, there are essentially two main outcomes:

It will lose its Carbon
It can lead to an exploding soda can

Read on as I explain the two scenarios in further detail below.

It Becomes Flat

When water freezes, it expands, and carbon dioxide gas is released. This means that when you defrost your sparkling water, it will be less fizzy than when you first put it in the freezer.

After you freeze the water, the carbon dioxide gas will be released. This is mainly because of the expansion of water as it freezes. The carbon dioxide is what gives sparkling water its dizziness, so when it’s released, the drink will be less bubbly.

The Can Might Explode

If you’re freezing your sparkling water in a can, there’s a chance that it might explode. This is because the expanding water will cause the can to crack and break.

When sparkling water is frozen in a can or bottle, the liquid turns into a solid with a larger volume than the container intended to hold. As a result, the can will eventually experience extreme pressure and explode.

Fortunately, unlike soda, sparkling water won’t make a sticky mess. However, cleaning up might still be difficult, particularly if it was a glass bottle.

Can You Make Ice Cubes Out of Sparkling Water?

You can make sparkling water ice cubes, but they won’t be as crisp and clear as regular ice cubes. This is because the carbon dioxide gas will escape when frozen and cause the water to become cloudy.

Sparkling water ice cubes are a great way to keep your drink cold without watering it down. Just be aware that they might not be as aesthetically pleasing as regular ice cubes.

How Should You Freeze Sparkling Water?

Now that you know what to look out for when freezing sparkling water, here are a few tips on how to do it properly:

How you will freeze will be determined by whether you want to freeze the whole beverage or transform it into ice cubes. Whatever option you decide on, you must first measure the height of the container that will hold the carbonated water when it is placed in the freezer.

So, to freeze sparkling water, you’ll need the following:

Ruler
Ice cube tray
Water
Freezer

Follow these steps:

Measure the height of the container you will use to put the sparkling water into the freezer.
To establish the true height, you will be pouring the sparkling water and subtract 10% from the height you measured.
Pour the sparkling water into the container, filling it to the height that you established in Step 2 above
If you have leftover sparkling water, you can pour it into the ice cube tray and freeze it.
Place the container of sparkling water in the freezer and check it after one hour.

As long as you did everything correctly, the sparkling water will not have to expand and overflow. The water will expand, and the carbon dioxide bubbles will escape, resulting in flat sparkling water. While this may not be ideal, it is still safe to drink.

Can You Freeze Sparkling Water | FAQs

Can you freeze carbonated water in an ice cube tray?

Yes, you can freeze carbonated water in an ice cube tray. However, keep in mind that it will lose its fizziness. So, if you are looking to keep your sparkling water carbonated, it is best to store it in the fridge.

What is the freezing point of carbonated water?

The freezing point of carbonated water is 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The temperature at which water will freeze decreases with increasing CO2 content. Practically speaking, sparkling water doesn’t have enough CO2 to have a different freezing point than flat water. When carbonated water is frozen, the carbonation is forced out of the beverage as the water solidifies, leaving the drink permanently flat.

Is it safe to drink flat sparkling water?

Yes, it is safe to drink flat sparkling water. While it may not be as refreshing as when it was first opened, it will not cause you any harm.

Does carbonated water go flat when frozen?

Yes, carbonated water goes flat when frozen. This is because the carbon dioxide gas that gives it bubbles will escape when frozen. However, it is still safe to drink.

Final Thoughts

Freezing sparkling water is possible, but it comes with a few caveats. First, follow the steps outlined in this post to avoid disasters (like an exploding soda can!). And remember, the sparkling water won’t be as fizzy once thawed.

But if you’re looking for a way to keep your drink cold without watering it down, sparkling water ice cubes are the way to go. I hope this article answered your questions about freezing sparkling water. If not, feel free to leave a comment below, and I will do my best to get back to you as soon as possible. Thanks for reading.