When I was a kid, we would sometimes make our own drinks. First there was the big jar we’d fill with water and a dozen bags of tea and let it sit out in the sun all day. Sun tea just tastes that much better. Then was Tang – the drink of astronauts (look it up all you youngsters). Next was Kool-Aid, with the kinda cool, kinda creepy character from the commercials. What I never thought I could end up making was my own soda. Just never crossed my mind. Guest blogger, Naomi has just the thing to do that and more. Give a good welcome to Naomi…
On a recent 91 degree day when I was running errands in New York City I went through Columbus Circle and happened upon a party, New York City-style. Musicians. Loudspeakers. Dancers. Matching T-Shirts. Flyers. And a cause. They were promoting Soda Stream. My family already had one. Here’s our story….
A couple years ago my daughters and I visited with friends and became intrigued by their Soda Steam Seltzer Maker. We are a big seltzer drinking family. It seemed like a potential gift for my husband. Our hosts and their three daughters sensed our curiosity and enthusiasm and quickly rattled off the benefits of the Soda Stream:
- Health: Seltzer is as healthy as water but the bubbles add pizzazz. By now I’m sure we’re all familiar with the health concerns associated with soda and even juice. Much to my chagrin, when we did get our soda stream, it came with a free sampler pack of 12 flavors for making soda. I told my girls we could make the samples but were not going to suddenly start drinking soda regularly. We were all delighted to learn that we could buy non-caloric seltzer flavorings.
- Financial: Our hosts estimated that it took them 5 months for their initial investment in the Soda Stream to pay off, based on previously purchasing one case of seltzer per week.
- Schlepping: My husband no longer lugs dozens of bottles when shopping or recycling. He now only trades in the empty carbon dioxide cartridges for full ones (3 cartridges last us about 3 months.)
- Environmental: With reusable bottles we don’t go through dozens of bottles a month. And as an additional environmental incentive, there is a significant cost savings for trading in an empty cartridge when purchasing a full one.
- Storage: It goes without saying that with four reusable bottles we no longer need to find space to store more bottles each month. This is a real bonus for us urbanites!
- Education and involvement of children: My children love to make the seltzer.
- Religious: Religiously observant Jews enjoy the Soda Stream because it can be used on Shabbat (the Jewish Sabbath) and (without the flavorings) be kosher for Passover.
So, how did the gift go? My husband loved it! He couldn’t stop telling people about it. Of course my daughters and I felt great. When he told his father, my father-in-law responded, “We used to have something like that when you were a kid.”
It’s true – the technology is old. What fascinates me is Soda Stream’s recent success both in the United States and globally. My best answer is that is reflects our times. We live in an era in which organic food, CSA’s, and environmentalism create a culture in which one just might find a band singing about seltzer.
(There are a few different brands of home soda makers; Soda Stream is the only one we have experience with, but the benefits above are likely to be applicable to other brands.)
Rantings of an Amateur Chef 
Yeah we had a soda stream as kids.
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I LOVE MY SODA STREAM!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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I’ve always wanted to try the byproduct of one of these to compare it to the pop I buy at the store.
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I find that the bubbles are smaller and more numerous than store-bought soda. I also find that it’s fizzier when drunk shortly after carbonating (which makes sense) though it does stay bubbly for a while. Recently I picked up the trick to keep water cold in the refrigerator and carbonate it as needed. But, as you suggest, best to find a way to try it yourself….
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Got it – my daughter and son in law want one so badly. Me too. I see the value I just need to see which brand is the best – thanks for your review. p
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You know, I wanted one for my birthday and my parents thought it wouldn’t be a great investment, but I’ve seen way more good reviews about it then bad. I’m honestly still thinking about buying one because I know my boyfriend goes through SO MUCH POP (because water is gross you know) and it would be a lot cheaper. Thanks for the good review
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Love love love my soda stream. I’ve had one now for about 3-4 years and I go through a canister about once a month. It makes a great tasting seltzer. When I first did it, you had to exchange the cartridges. Now you can just do it at Bed, Bath and Beyond. I love it so much that I bring it when I travel to the beach.
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I received a soda stream as part of my BZZ kit a while back and love it, although we don’t drag it out and use it enough one of our favorite things to do is making ice cream floats with diff flavors 🙂
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Ahhh. I want one sooooo bad!
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I got one for my birthday and love it! I would have never purchased one for myself but I am so glad I have one. We leave it on the counter and use it a lot. For a treat I add a bit of fruit juice but never use the “soda” flavorings. Enjoy!
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Sometimes I add a slice of lemon or some mint leaves
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Simple is best – I usually drink it plain but I have lots of mint and will try that. Thanks.
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We love ours…now if I could keep the boys out of my flavors it would be even better.
Peach State
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My gal pal has one of these in Austin, TX, and it was such a treat to visit since she always made me a fresh and bubbling soda. Good post!
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all the new models have lights and chips to inform of the carbonation. No longer for shabbat use. Just the cheapo model, all plastic, wont last long.
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I LOVE my SodaStream. I bought a SodaMod so I can use 20 oz. canisters. I keep two; one in the machine, one in reserve, and it costs $4 to fill each at a sporting goods store. The 12 oz. canisters from SodaStream cost $15 to exchange for a full one, and that’s terribly expensive. Little canisters last a week. 20 oz. canisters last 6 weeks. No contest. http://www.criticalpaintball.com/SodaMod-SodaStream-Soda-Club-CO2-Adapter-Save-Mo-p/sodastream-sodamod.htm
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