The answer here is yes and no. First, let’s understand what club soda is. Club soda is carbonated water that has had mineral salts added to it for flavor. These mineral salts include sodium bicarbonate, sodium chloride, and potassium sulfate. When the beverage is consumed solo, it’s usually very hard to tell the difference between one club soda versus another.
However, when a club soda is combined with a spirit, say your preferred gin for that Tom Collins you’re making, different brands of club soda will taste different. That’s because each club soda brand uses varying amounts of mineral salts, and these salts interact with the spirit in a variety of ways. So, while you might enjoy any old club soda solo, it’s very plausible you’d develop a preference for one over another when it comes to using it as an ingredient in cocktails.
Oh, and don’t worry about the salt content in club soda — most brands on the market contain less than 5 percent of your daily recommended intake of sodium, so as long as you consume in moderation, you’re fine.
