Sparkling water is one of the beverages most likely to accumulate in a pantry. A twelve-pack often shrinks to six, then three, until a single can—or a lonely bottle—rolls to the back, bearing a date from months ago. It is natural to wonder whether it is still safe to drink. The answer varies by type: plain seltzer, naturally sparkling mineral water, and cans containing fruit or additives age in distinctly different ways.
Does sparkling water go bad?
The short answer: Plain sparkling water generally does not spoil the way perishable food does. A sealed, undamaged can or bottle past its printed date is usually a quality question rather than a safety one. According to USDA guidance, dates on shelf-stable foods mark quality, and the primary loss over time is carbonation. Versions containing juice, sweeteners, or vitamins are not plain water, so their labels and best-by dates should be followed. Once opened, it is best consumed within a day to preserve the fizz. Brands such as LaCroix, Perrier, and Spindrift do not publish specific shelf-life figures, so none is provided here.
Does Sparkling Water Go Bad: At a Glance
| Type | Assessment |
|---|---|
| Plain sparkling water, sealed, past the date | Plain cans and bottles generally remain safe past the date under USDA dating guidance; the carbonation is what fades. |
| Flavored with fruit, juice, or vitamins | Treat it as a different product; follow its label and best-by date. |
| Opened, capped, refrigerated | Best finished the same day or the next for lively bubbles. |
| Left open on the counter for hours or days | Pour it out. |
| Expiration date required? | The International Bottled Water Association states the FDA does not require one for bottled water. |
| Storage | Room temperature or cooler, out of direct sun, away from solvents and chemicals (IBWA). |
| Bulging, leaking, or heavily rusted container | Discard without opening, whatever the date says. |
Key Takeaways
- “Sparkling water” covers very different drinks: plain seltzer, naturally sparkling mineral water, fruit-containing cans, and sweetened or fortified versions.
- The printed date is primarily a quality marker. The USDA states that dating is not a safety indicator, and the industry group IBWA notes that the FDA does not require an expiration date for bottled water.
- Fizz is what you notice fading first. Once it is gone, you are left with the water and whatever minerals or other ingredients the product started with.
- Heat, sunlight, and fumes near plastic bottles are the main storage problems to avoid.
- Citrus flavors raise acidity, which matters most if you sip all day.
- An opened bottle that has been left out is not worth saving.
What FDA Means by “Sparkling” and “Mineral”
FDA’s bottled water rule, 21 CFR 165.110, defines “sparkling bottled water” as water that retains the same amount of carbon dioxide it had at emergence from the source, even after treatment and possible gas replacement. Mineral water must contain at least 250 parts per million of total dissolved solids, with no minerals added. The rule also notes that the bottled water definition does not include ingredients labeled as “seltzer water,” “soda water,” “sparkling water,” or “tonic water,” meaning many everyday cans sit outside these definitions. FDA guidance on flavored and nutrient-added waters indicates that waters with added carbonation have historically been regulated as soft drinks. In practice, the ingredient list tells you more than the name does.
Four Kinds of Sparkling Water, Four Ways of Aging
The easiest way to answer the question is to find your drink in this table. The ingredient details come from brand or retailer pages, such as Aldi’s LaCroix listing, Perrier’s product page, Spindrift’s FAQ, and Sparkling Ice’s Black Cherry page. Labels change, so read your own.
| Type | Example Label | What Changes First |
|---|---|---|
| Plain seltzer or sparkling water | LaCroix Razz-Cranberry (per an Aldi listing): “Only Carbonated Water, Naturally Essenced”; 0 calories, 0 mg sodium, 0 g sugar | The bubbles |
| Carbonated mineral water | Perrier’s product page lists “Carbonated Mineral Water” | The bubbles; the minerals stay |
| Water with fruit | Spindrift says its “only ingredients are fruit & sparkling water” | Follow the stamped best-by date and the maker’s storage advice |
| Sweetened or fortified | Sparkling Ice Black Cherry lists a small amount of juice concentrate, sucralose, vitamins, citric acid, and potassium benzoate “to ensure freshness” | Flavor and sweetness, over time |
The first two rows are the ones where “it’s basically water” is a fair shortcut. The last two are not, and their makers print best-by dates for a reason. Spindrift states that each can is individually stamped with one, at the bottom of the can or on the outer packaging. It also notes the sparkling waters can sit at ambient temperatures below 80°F, but recommends refrigerating them for the best experience.
Why Plain Sparkling Water Holds Up
Microbes generally need nutrients to multiply, and a can of plain seltzer lists none beyond the water itself. The LaCroix Razz-Cranberry listing shows carbonated water and natural essence, with no sugar and no sweetener. That is a very different starting point from a cola or a juice, where sugar is the main ingredient. We did not find a published pH for the brands above, so we cannot quote a number for how acidic they are, and we do not claim carbonation by itself keeps a bottle safe.
What protects a sealed container is the container. Once the seal is broken, outside air and anything touching the rim can get in. That is why the guidance changes so sharply between a sealed can and an opened one.
What the Printed Date Means
For sparkling water, the printed date is a freshness note. The USDA says manufacturers provide dating “to help consumers and retailers decide when food is of best quality,” and its shelf-stable food page states the principle plainly: dating is for quality, not safety. The agency’s product dating page notes that federal rules require a date only on infant formula. Food kept past its date “should still be safe and wholesome if handled properly until the time spoilage is evident.” That is general guidance for shelf-stable food. The FDA, not the USDA, has historically treated carbonated waters as soft drinks, so read it as a rule of thumb about dates.
Water has its own version of that point. The International Bottled Water Association (IBWA) is an industry trade group. Its storage page says there is “no limit to the shelf life of bottled water” and that the FDA does not require an expiration date for bottled water products. Some companies print lot codes that help stores rotate stock. That statement is about bottled water generally and does not cover flavored or fortified sparkling drinks, so treat it as background and not a rule for every can. IBWA also notes that New Jersey is the only state that ever required expiration dates on bottled water. It passed a two-year rule in 1987 and repealed it in 2006, “noting that there was no scientific evidence to support such a requirement.”
Competing pages print figures anywhere from about nine months to two years past the date, and we could not trace any of them to a manufacturer. We found no stated shelf life for LaCroix, Perrier, or Spindrift, so we are not going to add another unsupported number.
Flavored, Fruit, and Vitamin Versions
Flavored sparkling water is where the answer starts to depend on the label. A seltzer that lists only carbonated water and natural flavor is close to plain. A can that lists juice concentrate, sweetener, vitamins, and a preservative is closer to a soft drink. Sparkling Ice’s Black Cherry label, for example, shows potassium benzoate “to ensure freshness.” Spindrift’s fruit-based cans ask to be chilled for best results and carry a stamped best-by date.
Acidity is the other flavor issue. The American Dental Association’s MouthHealthy site says plain sparkling water is slightly more acidic than ordinary water but “it’s all just water to your teeth.” It adds that citrus-flavored waters often have higher acid levels, which raise the risk to enamel. Its suggestion is to enjoy them in one sitting or with meals.
Infused products have their own rules, so go by the maker’s label for those.
After You Open It
The cap or tab comes off and carbon dioxide begins to escape. A capped bottle in the fridge holds its fizz better than a warm one on the counter, because cold liquid keeps more of its dissolved gas. For real sparkle, plan on finishing it within a day or so. Treat that window as a rule of thumb rather than a tested figure.
A can is a one-shot container. There is no resealing it, so pour what you won’t drink right away into a glass of ice and enjoy it while it’s lively. A bottle that has been sipped from directly, left in a warm car, or forgotten on a desk overnight is a poor candidate for saving. Plain sparkling water lists no sugar or other nutrients for microbes, but an open container is exposed to everything else.
Flat plain sparkling water is, in effect, still water with whatever minerals it started with. If it looks and smells normal, it is fine to drink as water.
Cans, Glass, and Plastic
Containers matter for storage even when they don’t change the water. Perrier’s product page lists glass bottles, slim cans, and plastic bottles. The IBWA notes that plastic containers are slightly permeable, so gases from nearby paint thinner, gasoline, or household cleaners can affect taste and odor. Its advice is to store bottled water away from solvents and chemicals, which makes a garage shelf next to fuel and cleaners a poor spot.
Plastic is also generally thought to hold carbonation less well than cans or glass over long storage. If you’re stocking up for months, cans and glass are the safer bet for bubbles.
Heat, Sun, and Where to Keep It
The IBWA recommends storing bottled water at room temperature or cooler, out of direct sunlight, and away from solvents and chemicals. It says prolonged exposure to direct sunlight or heat can, infrequently, allow algae or mold to develop in bottled water. For canned and shelf-stable foods in general, the USDA says temperatures below 85°F are best and that over 100°F is harmful to canned goods. It isn’t written for sparkling water specifically, but it points the same direction: a cool cabinet beats a sunny porch or a hot trunk.
A refrigerator isn’t required for a sealed can or bottle of plain sparkling water, although you’ll want some chilled. Cold water holds bubbles better in the glass.
Using Up Sparkling Water in Drinks
Sparkling water makes a good lengthener, and it’s where a fresh, cold bottle earns its keep. If the drink calls for bitterness, tonic water is a different product; its quinine-and-sweetener version has its own spoilage profile.
Signs Something Is Actually Wrong
- A bulging or swollen can or bottle: Don’t open it. Dispose of it.
- Seepage, a tacky seam, or a damp spot where a can sat: The seal may have failed.
- Heavily rusted cans: The USDA advice is to discard them. A little surface rust that wipes away is a lesser matter.
- Cloudiness, sediment, a film, or floating strands: Plain sparkling water starts out clear, so pour it out.
- A chemical, musty, or fuel-like smell: This can come from fumes near plastic. Skip it.
- A flavored or fortified can well past its best-by date: Follow the label, not the “it’s just water” shortcut.
- A sipped-from bottle left on a desk or in a car: Pour it out rather than taste-testing it.
Normal Changes That Don’t Mean It’s Bad
- Softer, smaller bubbles in a can that was never opened.
- A dull, flat taste once the carbonation is gone.
- A slightly different flavor intensity in a flavored can after many months.
- A foamy burst when a warm can is opened.
- Condensation on a cold can.
Quick Storage Reference
- Unopened: Room temperature or cooler, out of direct sun, away from solvents and chemicals.
- Flavored, fruit, or fortified: Follow the maker’s storage advice and the stamped best-by date.
- Opened: Capped and chilled, use within a day or so for real fizz.
- Cans: Finish or pour out; no resealing.
- Dented or swollen: A can that is puffed, seeping, creased, or rusty belongs in the trash.
| Situation | What to Do |
|---|---|
| Plain cans a year past the date, stored in a cool pantry | Probably fine to drink; the bubbles may be weaker. |
| Fruit-based or fortified can past its best-by date | Check the label and the can; when in doubt, skip it. |
| Bottle opened yesterday, capped, in the fridge | Fine to drink; expect fewer bubbles. |
| Bottle left open on the desk all day | Discarding it is the cautious choice. |
| Case stored in a garage near paint or fuel | If it was exposed to fumes or the water smells chemical, don’t drink it. |
| Can that is puffed up, seeping, or badly rusted | Get rid of it without opening. |
How We Checked This
We reviewed the ingredient and nutrition details on the LaCroix, Perrier, Spindrift, and Sparkling Ice pages cited above, and compared each with what the maker says about dates and storage. We then checked every storage and safety statement against USDA, FDA, and IBWA pages. We have not lab-tested how long cans hold their fizz, which is why the opened-bottle timing here is labeled as a rule of thumb. If your own can’s label says something different, trust the can.
Does Sparkling Water Go Bad FAQ
Is it safe to drink expired sparkling water?
For plain sparkling water in a container that is intact, usually yes. The USDA’s position is that food kept past its date remains safe and wholesome when handled properly and free of visible spoilage, and that dates reflect quality. Flavored, fruit, or fortified cans call for a closer look at the label and best-by date. Packaging that is bulging, leaking, or heavily rusted is the exception.
How long does unopened sparkling water last?
None of the brands we looked at gives a figure. The IBWA, the bottled water trade group, says there is no limit to the shelf life of bottled water, but that speaks to water in general and not to juice-containing or fortified drinks. A cool can or glass bottle should hold its bubbles longer than a warm plastic one, yet we can’t attach a month count without inventing it.
How long is sparkling water good after opening?
For real sparkle, think in terms of a day or so, which is our own rule of thumb and not a lab result. A capped, chilled bottle remains drinkable for longer as flat water, but a container left out for hours is better discarded.
Does sparkling water need to be refrigerated?
No, not while sealed. Stores usually stock it unchilled, and IBWA’s advice is room temperature or cooler. One fruit-based brand, Spindrift, does recommend refrigerating for the best experience. Once a bottle is open, the fridge helps hold the bubbles.
How can I tell if sparkling water has gone bad?
Start with the packaging: puffiness, seepage, a tacky seam, or heavy rust. Next, hold the water up to the light, since it should be clear. Haze, floaters, or a film mean it goes down the drain, as does a strange chemical smell. Flatness alone means only that you need a fresh can.
Why does my sparkling water taste flat?
Its dissolved carbon dioxide has leaked out, slowly from a sealed container and fast from an open or warm one. Once the gas is gone, plain sparkling water is ordinary water, and it’s fine to drink if it looks and smells normal.
Does flavored sparkling water go bad faster?
It can, depending on the recipe. A seltzer with only natural flavor behaves like plain water. A can with juice, sweetener, vitamins, and a preservative is closer to a soft drink, and its maker prints a best-by date for a reason, so follow it.
Does sparkling water have preservatives?
Plain ones generally list none. The LaCroix Razz-Cranberry listing at Aldi shows carbonated water and natural essence. Some flavored and fortified products do. Sparkling Ice’s Black Cherry label lists potassium benzoate “to ensure freshness.” Check the ingredients on your can.
Is sparkling water the same as seltzer, club soda, or mineral water?
Not exactly, and brands use the terms loosely. Seltzer is plain carbonated water, club soda usually has added minerals, and mineral water, per FDA’s bottled water rule, must contain at least 250 ppm total dissolved solids with no added minerals. Tonic water is a sweetened, quinine-flavored mixer; see our tonic water guide. The ingredient list is the reliable guide.
Is sparkling water as hydrating as plain water?
Yes. The Cleveland Clinic says “sparkling water is just as hydrating as its bubble-free counterpart.” Bubbles bother some people, though, and it lists burping and bloating as side effects for those prone to tummy troubles.
Is sparkling water bad for your teeth?
Plain sparkling water gets a mostly clean bill from the dental association. MouthHealthy says it is a little more acidic than ordinary water but still “just water to your teeth.” Citrus-flavored and sweetened versions need more care, ideally with a meal or in one sitting.
Does sparkling water have sodium, sugar, or calories?
Plain seltzers often show none of them. The LaCroix Razz-Cranberry listing reads 0 calories, 0 mg sodium, and 0 g sugar. Mineral waters, fruit-based cans, and fortified versions differ. Perrier’s product page gives no sodium value, and Sparkling Ice’s Black Cherry label lists 5 calories and sucralose. The panel on your own can is what counts.
Is sparkling water okay after sitting in a hot car or garage?
Avoid prolonged heat. IBWA advises room temperature or cooler and out of direct sun. The USDA’s 85°F and 100°F figures are general canned-food guidance, not a sparkling-water threshold. Inspect the container, and if it’s swollen, leaking, or badly damaged, discard it. A plastic bottle that sat beside fuel or solvents and smells chemical shouldn’t be drunk.
Can you freeze sparkling water?
A quick stint in the freezer to cool a can fast works if you use a timer. Left to freeze solid, the contents expand and can split a can or crack glass, and anything that swelled, burst, or leaked should be thrown out.
Where is the expiration date on sparkling water?
Spindrift stamps its cans on the bottom and prints the date on the outer pack. Other brands vary, so try the base of a can or the neck and cap of a bottle. For the USDA, a date like this guides quality and isn’t a safety cutoff.
Which holds bubbles better, cans, glass, or plastic?
Cans and glass are generally considered better than plastic for long storage, which is why we call plastic the weakest bet for stocking up. We couldn’t find a brand statement, so it’s a rule of thumb. Whatever the container, keep it cool and out of the sun.
Can bacteria grow in sparkling water?
Plain sparkling water lists far fewer nutrients than a sugary drink, which is why we treat it differently, but that doesn’t mean an opened container is protected from contamination. We didn’t find a published study of microbes in opened seltzer, so we won’t promise that bubbles or acidity keep an opened bottle clean. Anything sipped from, left warm, or open for days is better poured out. A can that is bulging, leaking, or smells off goes in the trash.
Is sparkling water bad for you?
For most people, plain sparkling water isn’t a problem. The Cleveland Clinic says it is “just as hydrating” as still water and calls a version with no added sugars “an A+ choice.” Harvard Health said in an earlier Q&A that seltzer doesn’t seem to raise osteoporosis or fracture risk in women. Its current page on carbonated drinks and bones is more cautious. It says the effect was weaker for non-cola and non-caffeinated carbonated drinks, and that no one knows whether there is a true cause-and-effect link between carbonated drinks and weak bones. The Cleveland Clinic lists burping and bloating for people prone to tummy troubles and suggests going back to still water if the bubbles don’t sit well. Check the label for added sugar and citric acid.
