SodaStream...for Adults

[Jay Honeck]

You knew it had to happen, sooner or later. SodaStream -- that carbonating gizmo that allows you to make your own soda pop -- has crossed over to the dark side, and is now offering do-it-yourself mixes for tonic water, pina coladas, and strawberry daquiris.

Let me say this: Their freshly made tonic water is WAY better than the store-bought stuff. Add a freshly-picked, freshly squeezed lime, and three fingers of Sapphire gin, and you've got the perfect summer drink.

That SodaStream machine has moved into a new position of importance on our kitchen counter...

 

[Archammer]

I was just thinking about buying one of those, to make this drink that a buddy of mine keeps talking about that needs soda water. I don't really have room in my little baby bar to store soda water all the time, but that solution just sealed it!

Nice post bud!

 

[SkyHog]

Too bad Dr. Pete tastes like smurf jizz.

 

[Richard]

Too bad Dr. Pete tastes like smurf jizz.

I am not surprised you know what smurf tastes like. You've hit one too many, apparently.

 

[Jay Honeck]

Too bad Dr. Pete tastes like smurf jizz.

I agree it tastes bad, although I'm not sure about your specific reference.

Mary like Diet Dr. Pete, which I despise. I love their Diet Cream Soda, and Diet Root Beer, however. I drink a liter of that stuff every day.

And now...their tonic water, with Bombay Sapphire and a fresh lime. It makes accurate typing difficult, but it is oh-so delicious!

 

[nddons]

You had me at Bombay Sapphire.

 

[Jay Honeck]

You had me at Bombay Sapphire.

It is amazing, no?

It's a hot, sultry night on the island...

Sitting on our deck, a thousand air conditioners, humming away...

The surf pounding on the beach in the distance...

And the obnoxious, farting noise of a SodaStream, making tonic water!

It's SO romantic...

 

[evapilotaz]

Love our Soda Stream. Its addicting.

 

[AggieMike88]

Good to hear some positive reviews.... I've been curious about this product.

 

[DJTorrente]

The razor is free; the blades are priceless. I've been drinking alot of favored seltzers as an alternative to sugar sodas, and thought about this as an option. They ask way too much for a simple CO2 re-fill, on their proprietary bottle.

 

[48dodge]

I looked at the soda stream when they first came out. I ended up finding a soda fountain on craigslist and now have 6 flavors on tap as well as soda water. I'll occasionally buy some soda stream flavors to make up small batches.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[AggieMike88]

I looked at the soda stream when they first came out. I ended up finding a soda fountain on craigslist and now have 6 flavors on tap as well as soda water. I'll occasionally buy some soda stream flavors to make up small batches.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

As in one of the dispensers we see at the fast food joints?

 

[Henning]

As in one of the dispensers we see at the fast food joints?

You can get bar guns pretty cheap too.

 

[AggieMike88]

You can get bar guns pretty cheap too.

But that system is a "mozzy vs. canon" approach when the amount a counter top appliance puts out is all I would need/want.

 

[48dodge]

As in one of the dispensers we see at the fast food joints?

Got it from a pizza place a town over. Yes I know it's overkill for most but since I don't drink alcohol it's kind of like a kegerator for me. I do want to upgrade in the future to a bar gun setup in my wet bar. Right now the fountain is in the garage.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[48dodge]

But that system is a "mozzy vs. canon" approach when the amount a counter top appliance puts out is all I would need/want.

You can also setup a single tap system pretty cheaply. As for sodastream their downfall is the co2 canisters. Do a quick search about refilling your canisters for pennies.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[AggieMike88]

You can also setup a single tap system pretty cheaply. As for sodastream their downfall is the co2 canisters. Do a quick search about refilling your canisters for pennies.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Sounds like the same business model as ink jet printers and razor blade cartridges.

 

[Jay Honeck]

Sounds like the same business model as ink jet printers and razor blade cartridges.

We didn't buy it solely for the cost savings, although (compared to buying Coke) the savings is significant.

We bought it to get all of those danged cans and bottles out of our too-cluttered house. Having nothing to throw away or recycle is great.

 

[SkyHog]

We didn't buy it solely for the cost savings, although (compared to buying Coke) the savings is significant.

We bought it to get all of those danged cans and bottles out of our too-cluttered house. Having nothing to throw away or recycle is great.

Don't forget the benefit of avoiding High Fructose Corn Syrup. That alone is priceless.

I recommend the Cherry Cola and the Orange Soda. Both are delicious.

Oh, and heed the warning about adding the syrup AFTER pressurizing. That is one mess you don't want to have to clean up.

 

[Jay Honeck]

Don't forget the benefit of avoiding High Fructose Corn Syrup. That alone is priceless.

I recommend the Cherry Cola and the Orange Soda. Both are delicious.

Oh, and heed the warning about adding the syrup AFTER pressurizing. That is one mess you don't want to have to clean up.

Tried the Pina Colada mix tonight. It was...lame.

Hopefully the Strawberry Daquiri mix is better.

 

[steingar]

The bourbon I buy is so freaking cheap I can care less about what I mix into it. Last night it was Coke I got out of a fountain at Target. Did the trick though. Court is stressful.

 

[Gerhardt]

We didn't buy it solely for the cost savings, although (compared to buying Coke) the savings is significant.

That's the first time I've heard that. Can you do a breakdown on the cost of say, Coke or Diet Coke compared to SS?

I've been looking at SS for about a year now. Everyone I know who has one says they love them and would do it again in a heartbeat. But the reviews I've read and people I've talked to said the price is the same as buying the real thing off the shelf. Which has me puzzled....why would you want to make your own off-brand when you can have the real thing for the same price?

 

[AggieMike88]

why would you want to make your own off-brand when you can have the real thing for the same price?

Some of it may be convenience, some might be taste (you get the extra fizz and mouth feel of fountain service versus flatter prepackaged), some say the reduced sugar.

 

[denverpilot]

Got it from a pizza place a town over. Yes I know it's overkill for most but since I don't drink alcohol it's kind of like a kegerator for me. I do want to upgrade in the future to a bar gun setup in my wet bar. Right now the fountain is in the garage.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

You must have a really clean garage. I do stuff like start the diesel tractor in mine, woodwork, etc. I can't see drinking diesel smoke flavored, sawdust filled, soda. Heh.

 

[evapilotaz]

Some of it may be convenience, some might be taste (you get the extra fizz and mouth feel of fountain service versus flatter prepackaged), some say the reduced sugar.

It taste more like out of a soda fountain vs the off the shelf stuff at Wally.

 

[48dodge]

You must have a really clean garage. I do stuff like start the diesel tractor in mine, woodwork, etc. I can't see drinking diesel smoke flavored, sawdust filled, soda. Heh.

Tastes like it came from an old service station! nothing is exposed to air until its dispensed.

Another option I've seen is making your own carbonator with a 1 or 2 liter bottle, a co2 tank and something like a tire stem in the bottle cap. I've also made ginger ale with yeast before. I do think the sodastream is the way to go for most. you can make things to the level of fizziness that you like. Just make sure the water is as cold as possible.

 

[Gerhardt]

I used to have a Coke machine in the game room. It dispensed the 8 oz glass bottles. There's no better way to enjoy a beverage than fresh from a glass bottle.

 

[Jay Honeck]

The bourbon I buy is so freaking cheap I can care less about what I mix into it. Last night it was Coke I got out of a fountain at Target. Did the trick though. Court is stressful.

Court?

 

[Jay Honeck]

That's the first time I've heard that. Can you do a breakdown on the cost of say, Coke or Diet Coke compared to SS?

I've been looking at SS for about a year now. Everyone I know who has one says they love them and would do it again in a heartbeat. But the reviews I've read and people I've talked to said the price is the same as buying the real thing off the shelf. Which has me puzzled....why would you want to make your own off-brand when you can have the real thing for the same price?

My wife did an analysis of it (cuz that's what she does), and figured about a 20 - 25% savings over canned, name-brand soda pop. If you buy the store brand stuff, the price is about the same.

I like SodaStream because it totally eliminated clutter in our kitchen pantry.

 

[Gerhardt]

My wife did an analysis of it (cuz that's what she does), and figured about a 20 - 25% savings over canned, name-brand soda pop. If you buy the store brand stuff, the price is about the same.

I like SodaStream because it totally eliminated clutter in our kitchen pantry.

Okay, I saw 3 different systems for sale the other day. One was $60, the other $70 and the other was $90. Which one would you suggest for a family of 4 that drinks quite a bit of soda?

 

[denverpilot]

My wife did an analysis of it (cuz that's what she does), and figured about a 20 - 25% savings over canned, name-brand soda pop. If you buy the store brand stuff, the price is about the same.

I like SodaStream because it totally eliminated clutter in our kitchen pantry.

Don't you have to store the stuff to operate the SodaStream?

 

[48dodge]

Don't you have to store the stuff to operate the SodaStream?

The footprint of everything involved is much smaller. One container of syrup a little larger than a single can of coke makes about 6 liters. Of course you have the carbonator and bottles but most people I know with them keep the carbonator on their counters. Im not quite sure how the economics work out though. Probably cheaper than cans, but about the same price as buying name brand 2 liter bottles, more expensive than generics.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[48dodge]

Also, FYI the cost of buying my syrup works out to about $2 gallon not counting CO2 which is pretty negligible so not a whole lot cheaper than buying bottles. It used to be a lot cheaper but Sams has jacked up their syrup prices to about twice what they used to be. I'm going to see if a friend of mine that owns a gas station will sell me some syrup at cost.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[Jay Honeck]

Okay, I saw 3 different systems for sale the other day. One was $60, the other $70 and the other was $90. Which one would you suggest for a family of 4 that drinks quite a bit of soda?

We bought the cheapest one, of course. It's been fine, we've had it for close to a year without problems, but it IS cheaply made. All plastic that feels fairly flimsy.

If I were to buy another one, I'd probably get the metal one. (If there is a metal one?)

BTW: In case you aren't aware, Walmart, Target, and other stores do a C02 cartridge exchange program for SodaStream. Bring in the empty and they apply the credit to the new one.

 

[Jay Honeck]

Also, FYI the cost of buying my syrup works out to about $2 gallon not counting CO2 which is pretty negligible so not a whole lot cheaper than buying bottles. It used to be a lot cheaper but Sams has jacked up their syrup prices to about twice what they used to be. I'm going to see if a friend of mine that owns a gas station will sell me some syrup at cost.

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

We've been ordering syrup on line. They have WAY more flavors available than WallyWorld handles, and it's a bit cheaper, too.

 

[48dodge]

We've been ordering syrup on line. They have WAY more flavors available than WallyWorld handles, and it's a bit cheaper, too.

I was talking about my full blown soda fountain bib syrups

Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

 

[AggieMike88]

Jay, have you tried this yet?

Under ultraviolet light, the quinine in tonic water fluoresces, even though it is present in a negligible concentration

 

[Jay Honeck]

Jay, have you tried this yet?

Under ultraviolet light, the quinine in tonic water fluoresces, even though it is present in a negligible concentration

Dang! I knew I should have held onto that old black light I had back in the 70s!


Sent from my SCH-I535 using Tapatalk

 

[ausrere]

I love my Soda Stream too. I usually drink Dr Pepper, but I'm not crazy about Soda Streams Dr. Pete syrups. I bought a gallon dispenser of Dr Pepper syrup off of Amazon and use it instead (although the mixture rate is different. The Dr Pepper Syrup is a 5 to 1 ratio, so you have to play with it to get it just right the first few times). The bulk syrups are designed for the big drink dispensers, so it's easier to use if you get a small tap for it. I also bought some caffeine free syrups for it from the same place. There are all kinds of syrups available in the bulk gallon+ containers.

 

[48dodge]

I love my Soda Stream too. I usually drink Dr Pepper, but I'm not crazy about Soda Streams Dr. Pete syrups. I bought a gallon dispenser of Dr Pepper syrup off of Amazon and use it instead (although the mixture rate is different. The Dr Pepper Syrup is a 5 to 1 ratio, so you have to play with it to get it just right the first few times). The bulk syrups are designed for the big drink dispensers, so it's easier to use if you get a small tap for it. I also bought some caffeine free syrups for it from the same place. There are all kinds of syrups available in the bulk gallon+ containers.

Check Sam's and Costco for BIB syrups. For less than twice what you paid for 1 gallon you can get a 5 gallon BIB.