Sparkling Water for Singers: Helpful Hydration or Tiny Troublemaker?
28/11/2025
A follow-up to last week’s article: Why Are You So Thirsty During a Gig and How to Deal With It?.
This blogpost is part two of the story. Last week, I wrote about why some singers get ridiculously thirsty during a gig, and how to stay safely and sanely hydrated. At the end of that article, I promised a follow-up for the person who asked:
Sparkling water seems to tickle or even irritate the back of my throat. But as I don’t tend to drink alcohol or soda, sometimes I want something more interesting. What’s the deal with that? Is it okay for singers or not so great?
This question came up during my most recent Ask-Me-Anything webinar. Several members of singsing! Sofa Library shared their own experiences, and it quickly became clear that sparkling water creates surprisingly similar issues for many performers. So I decided to give you a complete overview here.
If you are a singer who sometimes orders sparkling water at a bar before or after your set, this one is definitely for you.
4 Reasons not to drink sparkling water
So why is it that sparkling water might tickle or even irritate the back of your throat, and what exactly is happening inside your performing body?
Let’s break this into the main factors that matter for singers. I’ll keep it clear and simple, because you don’t need a medical degree to understand how this influences your voice.
1. Bloating and burping
Sparkling water is carbonated, which means it contains dissolved CO₂. When you drink it, part of that CO₂ becomes gas in your stomach. This can create pressure or bloating. And yes, that pressure often needs to escape… upward. Especially when you’re belting out high notes! Ask me how I know 😏
For singers, this isn’t great, because burping affects the diaphragm, disrupts breath management, and can create a “wobbly moment” in the middle of your performance.
2. Reflux
Research is mixed and sample sizes are often small, but several studies found that carbonated water may temporarily lower the pressure of the lower oesophageal sphincter (LES), the valve that normally keeps stomach contents where they belong.
Lower pressure = more chance of reflux, especially if you’re someone who is already sensitive. And for singers, reflux is not just a minor annoyance… Make sure to read my 2 blog posts for a detailed explanation!
Note: The effect on the pressure of the lower oesophageal sphincter tends to be short-lived. There is no hard evidence of carbonated water causing long-term gastroesophgeal reflux disease (GERD). So carbonation doesn’t cause GERD… but in people who already have symptoms, it may briefly increase the chance of reflux episodes.
3. Cold
Bars almost always serve sparkling water cold. Very cold. Cold beverages can momentarily affect the reflexes and sensory input of your throat and create a subtle “stiff” feeling. Nothing dramatic, but enough to make your voice feel less ready or responsive.
Like I already said in last week’s post: the direct science shows mixed results, but specialists suggest room-temperature is the safer bet. If you notice cold water makes your throat feel ‘uncomfortable’, stick to room temperature. Otherwise follow what works for you.
4. Throat tickle
Sparkling water has a typical pH around 3-5. That is mildly acidic, not as strong as citrus juices, but acidic enough to create a prickly sensation in some singers, especially those with sensitive mucosa.
A participant in the webinar said: “It really feels more acidic for me,” which is absolutely possible.
Yes, water is water. But if the drink that was meant to hydrate you ends up making you burp, tickle or shift your focus away from your sound, then it simply isn’t helping you perform at your best.
And that matters.
If you want sparkling water at a bar…
- Choose it well before or after your performance
Don’t drink it right before you walk on stage. If you can’t resist, let the drink sit for a while so it’s no longer freezing cold. The less cold, the better. (Although, let’s be honest, room‑temperature sparkling water is rarely anyone’s idea of a treat.) - Limit the amount
A single small glass may be fine for some singers. Three large glasses of bubbling carbonation before a high C? Probably not your best idea. - If you have reflux: skip it
Carbonated drinks are one of the first things many reflux-sensitive singers learn to avoid. - Monitor your own reactions
Some singers tolerate bubbles better than others. If you notice throat tickle, sudden burping or tightness after fizzy drinks, take that as information. Your body gives useful feedback if you listen closely.
In conclusion: If fizzy water doesn’t bother you, please, keep enjoying it whenever, wherever – channeling Shakira 🎶
If it does and you want something “more interesting” than still water before and during a gig, I suggest drinking a moderately warm herbal infusion (skip the ice and the scalding hot). Your voice will thank you.
I love when a simple question turns into a truly useful discussion. This was one of those moments.
One singer shared their burp-on-the-high-note story (me). Another talked about acidity. Others nodded vigorously on camera.
These are the kind of real-life, practical details that singers often discover during live conversations. And that is exactly why I lead these Ask-Me-Anything webinars every month.
If you become a member of The singsing! Sofa Library, you can:
- watch the full recording of this webinar,
- join all upcoming AMAs for free,
- and gain access to a growing library of currently 45+ highly educational webinars, with over 65 hours of content at the time of publication, and new material added every month!
Thanks for reading, and here’s to your next burp-, bloat-, tension-, and tickle-free gig!
Ariane De Dom, Avocational singer
Susanne Vahle - Vocational singer
This session was a great add-on to my voice lessons with Sarah!
M.J. Johnson - Singer & Voice teacher
Susanne Vahle - Vocational singer
Ariane De Dom, Avocational singer
Bec Tilley, Voice Coach & Singer
RESOURCES
- Assessment of the Acute Effects of Carbonated Beverage Consumption on Symptoms and Objective Markers of Gastric Reflux – Lim et al. (2019)
- Ingestion of a carbonated beverage decreases lower esophageal sphincter pressure and increases frequency of transient lower esophageal sphincter relaxation in normal subjects – et al. (2012)
- Response of the lower esophageal sphincter to gastric distention by carbonated beverages – et al. (2006)
- Oropharyngeal swallowing in normal adults of different ages – Robbins et al. (1992)
As always, feel free to send me your thoughts, questions, and feedback in the comments below this blog, via the contact form or in the singsing! online community 
Cordially,
Sarah