14 Substitutes for Club Soda in Batter

Sometimes you just don’t have club soda on hand.

I get it.

But that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy your favorite batter-based dish tonight!

14 Substitutes for Club Soda in Batter

If you ever find yourself in a pinch and need to substitute club soda for another ingredient in your batter, then here are 14 ingredients that can serve as substitutes for club soda in batter:

1. Lemonade

You might be thinking, “Lemonade? I’m cooking dinner—how is that going to help?”

Well, when lemonade is used as a substitute for club soda in batter, it adds more flavor.

That’s why my lemon-flavored batter does so well at dinner parties—it gets people talking.

This substitution also has some added benefits—it keeps your body hydrated and improves digestion by helping your stomach break down food(source).

So you’re really getting a lot of bang for your buck with this one.

2. White wine

White wine?

As a substitute for club soda in batter?

That’s right, folks.

It’s all about the acidity here.

Club soda is usually just water infused with carbon dioxide and a little bit of salt, but it does have a higher acidic content than regular water, which makes it better for batter that has baking soda in it.

Since white wine does have more acidity than club soda (and more than regular water), it works as an excellent substitute for club soda.

Just don’t use too much—a 1/4 cup of white wine is a good place to start!

White wine is also full of antioxidants, which can help fight off free radicals in your system and keep you healthy(source)!

A glass of white wine a day might even help facilitate a healthy heart(source).

3. Milk

Another perfect replacement is milk, and here’s why:

Milk creates a lighter texture.

As you beat the batter, more air gets incorporated into it, resulting in a fluffy, light-as-air batter that will make your friends and family ooh and ahh.

It also has all kinds of benefits.

Drinking milk maintains bone density—especially important as we age—and it can be fortified with other nutrients like vitamin D.

And don’t forget B vitamins, which are crucial for maintaining energy levels throughout the day!

Now that you know why this makes an awesome substitute, let’s get cooking!

Simply replace the club soda in your recipe with equal parts milk.

Beat it thoroughly before baking, and enjoy!

4. Ginger ale

Ginger ale is a great substitute for club soda because it’s bubbly like club soda and can be used in any recipe that calls for it.

Just use the same amount of ginger ale as you would club soda!

Ginger ale is also super cool because it has some unexpected health benefits.

It contains something called gingerol, which has medicinal properties (like reduced blood sugar!).

It also may drastically lower blood sugars in people with type 2 diabetes and can help with morning sickness(source).

So next time you’re looking for a good substitute for club soda, try ginger ale—it can make you feel better about your batter!

5. Buttermilk or yogurt

These ingredients work well in batter for things like pancakes and waffles.

They also make for a slightly thicker batter, which can make your dish turn out fluffier than it would with club soda.

6. Beer

The carbonation in beer will make your pancakes, waffles, and other treats light and fluffy, just like club soda.

Plus, it adds a tangy flavor that’s wonderful in any batter. Be careful when you cook them, though—the alcohol may cause them to burn if they’re not cooked at the right temperature.

7. Orange juice

If you want lots of fluff without a lot of tang, orange juice is the substitute for you.

It has lots of carbonation and extra sweetness, but it won’t add much acidity to the recipe (so you may need more leavening agents than usual).

8. Cream of tartar

If you’re making a baked good that has a cake-like consistency, such as cake, cookies, or muffins, then using cream of tartar is a great one-to-one substitute for club soda.

It adds a little bit of sourness to the taste of the final product.

9. Water

Plain ol’ water can be used as a substitute for club soda in almost any kind of recipe. The only thing water will not do is add any additional flavor—it’s just straight H2O.

10. Oat milk

Oat milk is a great alternative to club soda because it can be used in both sweet and savory batters.

It’s especially great if you need the flavor of club soda but want to add a little something extra to your recipe.

Oat milk adds a light, nutty flavor to your batter, which is wonderful when making pancakes and waffles.

It’s also delicious when making fried chicken and fish—I promise you won’t regret it!

Oat milk has some pretty amazing health benefits as well.

It’s full of protein, fiber, calcium, and riboflavin(source)!

11. Rice milk

I love rice milk because it adds a subtle sweetness that can elevate the taste of your dish.

It’s also a great choice because it’s the least allergenic of milk alternatives and can be fortified to be a good source of calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin D(source).

To use rice milk instead of club soda when making batter, simply replace the club soda with rice milk cup-for-cup.

The only thing to remember is that rice milk is naturally sweeter than other milk alternatives, so you may want to take that into account when adding sugar or sweetener to your recipe.

12. Almond milk

Not only is almond milk dairy-free, but enriched almond milk is high in vitamin D—a nutrient that most people are deficient in(source).

But the benefits don’t stop there: almond milk has a low-calorie content, so if you’re watching your weight, this could be a great substitute for you.

You’ll want to use this substitute as follows: add 2 tablespoons of unenriched almond milk to every cup of club soda that is called for in your recipe (for every cup of club soda called for).

13. Coconut water

Coconut water is basically the liquid from inside of a young green coconut.

You can either buy it online or at most grocery stores, just make sure you check the ingredients to make sure there isn’t any added sugar.

It has so many benefits: it may have antioxidant properties, support heart health, and be beneficial after prolonged exercise due to its high potassium content. Plus it’s a delicious source of hydration!

You can substitute coconut water into your favorite pancake or waffle recipe in place of club soda—just measure out 1 cup (240 ml) per 1 cup (240 ml) of club soda and enjoy that airy coconut flavor in your next batch!

14. Grapefruit juice

Grapefruit juice is a great substitute for club soda because it makes your batter taste like grapefruit, which is a perfect addition to eggless dishes.

It also helps control your appetite, may help prevent diabetes and insulin resistance, and serves as an immune system booster.

But how do you use grapefruit juice in place of club soda?

It’s easy: just substitute the same amount of grapefruit juice for the same amount of club soda in any recipe.

For example, if the recipe calls for one cup of club soda, use one cup of grapefruit juice instead.

Bam! You’re ready to get cooking with this easy substitute (and it won’t go flat like club soda). Have fun!

FAQ

What’s the Best Club Soda Substitute for Frying?

In our experience, the best club soda substitute for frying is seltzer water. Seltzer water has a slightly higher sodium content than club soda, which makes it better at preventing the food you’re frying from sticking to the pan.

Another great attribute of seltzer water is its lack of carbonation compared to club soda, which means that it won’t interfere with the bubbling process that helps your food fry uniformly.

What’s the Best Substitute for Club Soda in Fish Batter?

The best substitute for club soda in fish batter is sparkling water. This is because the carbonation in club soda also gives it a distinct flavor, which can affect the overall taste of the fish batter.

If you opt to use sparkling water instead of club soda, be sure to add approximately 1/2 tsp. of salt per cup of water to give your batter that peppery flavor that complements fried fish.

What’s the Best Substitute for Club Soda in Tempura Batter?

The best substitute for club soda in tempura batter is carbonated water. This should be used in equal parts to the volume of club soda that would normally be called for in a given recipe, so if the recipe calls for 1 cup of club soda, use 1 cup of carbonated water.

You can produce carbonated water yourself by combining cold tap water with an amount of dry ice (solidified carbon dioxide) that is smaller than the total volume of water you’re using.

The dry ice will melt and displace the oxygen in the water, making it fizzy and ensuring that it will bubble up when combined with the tempura batter.