A Pinch Of Salt Brings Out Big Flavor In Soda

Sugary-sweet syrupy sodas are delicious as they are. With their bold flavors and refreshingly bubbly finish, enjoying a soda is as easy as cracking open a can and slugging it until there's nothing left but the promise of another round. But with one extra step, you can unlock never-before-noticed flavors in your go-to sodas. Meet your cola's new best friend: salt.

Although salt may seem better suited for the rim of an icy margarita, it can transform how you experience a soda. Although it certainly has a flavor of its own, salt is also a flavor enhancer, amplifying the distinct tasting notes of your favorite foods, or in this case, your favorite sodas. Chowhound tried this trick ourselves, and we found that a small pinch of salt tempers cloying notes, making each sip smoother and more balanced. It curbs any bitterness while brightening citrusy notes in lemon-lime sodas and deepening the caramel undertones in colas. Not to mention that the distinct taste of salt itself makes for a surprisingly sophisticated and subtly savory finish that refuses to overpower the primary tasting notes of your soda — perfect for foodies who enjoy the taste of salt-kissed pastries and confections.

As it facilitates this dynamic layering effect in soda, salt simultaneously gives your favorite fizzy beverages a more potent hit of hydration. As an essential electrolyte, salt helps your body retain fluids, making each sip of soda feel more refreshing and satiating. Whether you prefer a cult-classic Mexican Coke, the simple citrusy kick of Sprite, or the bold 23 flavors of Dr Pepper, salt-studded soda is an easy way to reimagine classic pops.

Drinking a soda should never be complicated, and upgrading your faves with salt doesn't need to change that. However, it's helpful to keep a few tips in mind to maintain a well-balanced flavor that isn't completely warped by the presence of salt.

Although salt is a powerful ingredient for enhancing, curbing, and uniting flavors in a soda, too much will destroy the drink. Use a sparing amount of salt when introducing it to your pop — start with a small pinch, taste as you go, and add more if desired. There are many varieties of salt, with kosher salt, sea salt, and table salt being the most common. But kosher salt is best when crafting drinks. Kosher salt is grainier than table salt, reducing clumping in your drink while delivering just the right amount of salty goodness. When adding salt to your soda, be careful with the extra fizz that comes with it. Salt makes carbonated drinks erupt with bubbles by creating nucleation sites that accelerate the release of carbon dioxide, so introduce it slowly or have a lid handy to contain the extra buzz.

Salted soda may sound strange at first, but it's destined to be love at first sip. Trust us, your taste buds (and party guests) will thank you.