> I think this is a clash of use of American-isms. Soda (stand-alone) is sugared soft drink. Soda Water, is usually carbonated water (sugar free, sometimes flavored)

IME, consistently, for my while life in the US, “Soda” (standalone) is (in general use, there are contexts where it means something else) a carbonated and flavored soft drink, whether or not it is sugared, while “soda water” is carbonated water without additional flavor.