Celery Soda: What It Is, History & How to Make It

Celery soda is a carbonated beverage made from celery seed extract or celery juice, offering a distinctive herbal flavor with subtle vegetal notes. Unlike plain celery juice, it contains carbonation and often includes natural sweeteners to balance celery's natural bitterness, creating a refreshing alternative to traditional sodas.

What Exactly Is Celery Soda?

When you search for celery soda, you're likely wondering how this unusual beverage differs from regular sodas or celery juice. Celery soda represents a niche category of botanical beverages that has experienced renewed interest among health-conscious consumers seeking alternatives to sugar-heavy soft drinks.

Unlike celery juice—which has gained popularity for its purported health benefits—celery soda incorporates carbonation and typically contains less concentrated celery flavor. Most commercial varieties use celery seed extract rather than fresh celery juice as the primary flavoring agent, creating a more consistent taste profile while maintaining that distinctive herbal character.

The Historical Journey of Celery Soda

Celery soda isn't a recent health trend but has roots stretching back to the late 19th century. During the "soda fountain era" (1880-1920), pharmacists and soda jerks experimented with various botanical extracts to create medicinal-tonic beverages.

Time Period	Development	Commercial Availability
1880-1920	Created as "medicinal tonics" in soda fountains	Available at local soda fountains
1920-1950	Declined during Prohibition as soda fountains focused on "near beer" alternatives	Limited regional production
1950-1990	Nearly disappeared as cola dominance grew	Only available in specialty markets
1990-Present	Revived by craft soda makers and health-focused brands	Growing availability in health food stores

According to historical records from the Library of Congress Soda Fountain Collection, celery was among the top five botanical flavors used in early medicinal sodas, valued for its purported digestive benefits and distinctive flavor profile that cut through the sweetness of early soda formulations.

Celery Soda vs. Similar Beverages: Understanding the Differences

Many consumers confuse celery soda with other celery-based beverages. Understanding these distinctions helps you select the right product for your needs:

• Celery soda contains carbonation, moderate celery flavor, and typically 15-30g of sugar per serving
• Celery juice is non-carbonated, intensely flavored, and contains no added sugar (but higher natural sodium)
• Celery tonic refers to non-carbonated beverages with medicinal claims, often containing additional herbs
• Celery-flavored sparkling water has minimal celery flavor and no sugar

The key distinction lies in the carbonation level and flavor concentration. Traditional celery soda maintains enough celery character to be recognizable while balancing it with sweetness and effervescence—making it more approachable than straight celery juice for most palates.

How to Make Authentic Celery Soda at Home

Creating your own celery soda allows you to control ingredients and customize the flavor profile. This traditional method produces a more authentic taste than simply mixing celery juice with soda water.

Basic Celery Soda Recipe

Makes approximately 1 quart

1. Prepare 4-5 fresh celery stalks, thoroughly washed and chopped (include leaves for more intense flavor)
2. Simmer celery in 4 cups of water for 20 minutes until liquid reduces by one-third
3. Strain liquid through cheesecloth, pressing to extract maximum flavor
4. Add 1/2 cup sugar (or honey/maple syrup) and stir until dissolved
5. Cool completely, then add 1/4 teaspoon celery seed extract (available at specialty food stores)
6. Chill, then carbonate using a soda maker or mix with equal parts club soda just before serving

For best results, let the finished soda rest in the refrigerator for 24 hours before serving to allow flavors to meld. The celery seed extract is crucial—it provides the characteristic flavor that fresh celery alone cannot achieve in a carbonated beverage.

Where to Find Celery Soda Today

While not as widely available as mainstream sodas, celery soda has seen a resurgence among craft beverage producers. Your availability depends significantly on location and shopping preferences:

• Health food stores: Brands like Folk Soda Co. and Better Botanicals offer celery soda in select Whole Foods and natural grocery chains
• Online retailers: Several craft soda makers ship nationally, though carbonation quality may degrade during transit
• Specialty markets: Available in some European import stores (celery soda remains more popular in parts of Europe)
• DIY options: Celery soda syrups from brands like Small Hand Foods allow you to create it at home

According to beverage industry reports from BevNet, the craft soda market has grown by 12% annually over the past five years, with botanical flavors like celery representing the fastest-growing segment. However, distribution remains limited compared to mainstream sodas due to niche appeal and production challenges.

Nutritional Profile and Considerations

Understanding celery soda's nutritional content helps determine if it aligns with your dietary goals:

• Typical 12oz serving contains 120-150 calories (compared to 140 in regular cola)
• Sodium content ranges from 50-100mg per serving (significantly less than celery juice's 300mg+)
• Contains natural plant compounds including phthalides, which preliminary research suggests may support cardiovascular health
• Lacks the fiber content of whole celery but retains some water-soluble nutrients

While celery soda contains less sugar than traditional sodas, it's not a health beverage. The U.S. Dietary Guidelines recommend limiting added sugars to less than 10% of daily calories, so enjoy celery soda in moderation as part of a balanced diet.

Practical Tips for Enjoying Celery Soda

Maximize your celery soda experience with these expert recommendations:

• Serving temperature: Chill thoroughly (34-38°F) to enhance the refreshing quality and mellow any harsh notes
• Glassware: Use a tall, narrow glass to preserve carbonation and concentrate the aromatic compounds
• Pairings: Complements seafood dishes, light salads, and vegetable-based appetizers exceptionally well
• Cocktail mixer: Creates distinctive Bloody Mary variations or pairs beautifully with gin for a herbal cocktail
• Flavor enhancement: A squeeze of lemon or lime can brighten the herbal notes for some palates

Many first-time drinkers find celery soda challenging due to its distinctive flavor profile. Start with smaller servings to allow your palate to adjust, as the herbal notes become more appealing with repeated exposure.

Is celery soda the same as celery juice?

No, celery soda is a carbonated beverage typically made with celery seed extract and sweeteners, while celery juice is non-carbonated and made by juicing fresh celery stalks. Celery soda has a milder flavor and contains added sugar, whereas celery juice is intensely flavored with no added ingredients.

Does celery soda have the same health benefits as celery juice?

Celery soda contains some beneficial compounds found in celery, but in much lower concentrations than pure celery juice. While it provides hydration and minimal plant compounds, it lacks the fiber and higher nutrient density of fresh celery juice. The added sugar in most commercial celery sodas also reduces its health profile compared to unsweetened celery juice.

Why does celery soda taste different from fresh celery?

Celery soda typically uses celery seed extract rather than fresh celery juice, which creates a more concentrated, distinctive flavor profile. The carbonation and added sweeteners also significantly alter the taste experience. Additionally, the processing and preservation methods change the chemical composition of the celery compounds, resulting in a different flavor than fresh celery.

Where can I buy celery soda?

Celery soda is available at select health food stores like Whole Foods, specialty beverage shops, and through online retailers. Brands such as Folk Soda Co. and Better Botanicals produce celery soda, though availability varies by region. Some European markets also carry celery soda, as it remains more popular in certain European countries than in the United States.

Can I make celery soda at home?

Yes, you can make celery soda at home by simmering chopped celery to create a concentrated infusion, adding sweetener, then combining with celery seed extract before carbonating. The key is using celery seed extract rather than just fresh celery, as this provides the characteristic flavor that holds up in a carbonated beverage. A soda maker helps achieve proper carbonation without losing the delicate flavor profile.