Do you use the Soda Stream? For those of you who use it, I’m anxious to hear what you think. Before starting this blog post, I read the comments about it and was surprised to see so many who don’t love it. I totally ignored the comments about those who don’t like it because it’s made in Israel and just read the ones where people didn’t like the actual function of the product for one reason or another.
Soda Stream
Our model is pretty ancient. All the ones in the stores and online seem to look different from ours. I can’t remember how long we’ve had it. I thought we had it in MO but Vince said no . . so who knows how long we’ve had it. We originally bought it, thinking we could use the “Dr. Pete” syrup and make my favorite beverage. We used it for a while. Dr. Pete is ok but to me, it tastes like a knock off and if I’m wanting a Dr. Pepper, then I want a real, ice cold Dr. Pepper so the Soda Stream sat unused for a while.
When we began trying to eat healthy and I gave up soda, we decided to try the Soda Stream again but found that almost all the syrups, even the non-diet versions, all had Sucralose, along with sugar. I didn’t want Sucralose so we again put the Soda Stream away.
With summer upon us and it being so hot and working outside so much, I started drinking a few more Dr. Peppers. Then I figured out that more than the Dr. Pepper itself, it was the ice cold fizz that I loved so we began buying mineral water, which isn’t cheap and if we don’t drink it fairly quickly after opening the bottle, it lost so much of its fizz that it got dumped.
The other day while talking with a blog reader, she mentioned Artisan Soda Workshop. It’s a little bitty book and it has 70 recipes . . some of them look kinda weird, like Rhubarb/Basil syrup and one with Rosemary. There’s one with blackberries/lavender. I am going to try all of them eventually because even the one with rhubarb and basil is intriguing.
I suppose before finding this book, I would have been in the category of not being thrilled with the Soda Stream because (1) the soda made from the mixes that are supposed to imitate the real thing . . just doesn’t and (2) I don’t want Sucralose. This little book changed it all for us.
Artisan Soda
As soon as Liz was telling me about the book, I was online ordering it. It arrived yesterday and I immediately made the strawberry syrup.
Strawberry Syrup
Even the strained out strawberries were saved. My first thought was to give them to the chickens but then I remembered I could stick them in the fridge and put them on my oatmeal this morning! Yum!
Breakfast
Excuse the sliced strawberry . . I started adding those before I remembered the others in the fridge. My brain doesn’t function before daylight!
Strawberry Drink
A little carbonated water, a little strawberry syrup and we had a refreshing drink without a bunch of added weird ingredients. I like my drinks a little sweeter than Vince likes his so it’s real easy to add 1 teaspoon or 3 teaspoons or whatever you want to get the perfect drink for your own taste.
Not wanting to drink diet drinks, but still wanting a little sweetness, this is perfect. I believe sodas have about 10 teaspoons of sugar, not to mention sodium and many have caffeine. The strawberry syrup has a total of about 12 teaspoons of sugar and it would make about 6 or 7 glasses of drink for me; more for Vince. That’s way less sugar than soda!
The Soda Stream uses no electricity, requires no batteries . . it only requires a CO2 canister. They canisters are about $15 at Wal-Mart and we’ve never changed ours . . still using original canister that came with the machine. We do have an extra one but just haven’t needed it.
Vince loves Ginger Ale but he will only buy the 2 liter bottles because they’re less expensive but then he only drinks about half of the bottle before it loses its fizz. I made the ginger syrup this morning so we’ll test it tonight with dinner.
Ginger Syrup
I’m really excited about making our own syrups and then making our own healthier drinks.
Diana says
Same category as you
Bought one got free flavors with it but they just didn’t taste the same, Still have some unused flavors, finally put “machine” in a cabinet out of the way – this book looks intriguing
Vickie says
I bought one also to have ‘healthier’ soda but didn’t like the taste of their sodas. Instead I found out that I was really missing when I gave up soda was the carbonation, not the soda itself. Its the carbonation that gives my mouth that nice like tingle I like. So now the soda stream is used to make carbonated water. I’m well over a year (maybe closer to 2) of being soda free and I honestly don’t miss it at all. And just so you don’t think we are all virtuous, we do occasionally do a small bottle of tonic water for our G&T’s 😉
Claudia W says
One of my recent diet successes has been giving up full sugar Coke for Coke Zero. I know diet sodas are controversial regarding their ingredients, but I don’t worry about that because I don’t drink much of it…maybe a 6 oz glass with lunch and another 6 oz glass with dinner. I buy the small plastic bottles with the screw on caps because I don’t finish one in one sitting and like to save it for the next meal. Like Vince I used to buy the 2 liter bottles for economy, but ended up throwing half of it (or more) away because it lost its fizz.
Sherrill says
I drink diet Vanilla Pepsi and have to drive to OK to get it cause it’s no longer available in TX!!! Isn’t that STUPID?! When I thought it was gone for good and no longer being made, I tried to duplicate the taste with various and sundry vanilla products and plain diet Pepsi. It never WAS quite right so as long as I can drive to OK and stock up (usually 30 12 pks a trip!!), I’ll do what I gotta do to feed my addiction. I have a couple of friends who use me as their ‘mule’ to get theirs. HA
Sally says
Love mine, don’t like the syrups I’ve tried but often just have carbonated water with a slice of lemon (and maybe a squeeze or two). Of course I own a lemon tree (and lime and grapefruit plus a bunch of oranges) which makes it easier. The fake DP didn’t work for me so still buying DP now and then! I own the Soda Stream plus a different brand (mine is called the Penguin). Got the Soda Stream to take on trips
Susan says
I had to come read this post because I had no idea what you were talking about or what a Soda Stream was! The only soda I’ve ever made was root beer, so I don’t think that counts because it’s a different process. I’m pretty much a water, milk, OJ kind of drinker. Soda once in a while if I’m treating myself to fast food. Yep, Dr. Pepper, generally. Learned that as a child in Texas! =)
Ellen says
Had our Soda Stream for 5 years or so and love to carbonate orange or lemon juice. I need to get that book since the SS syrups are so awful.
Peg H says
Ooooh! I can’t wait to hear about the ginger ale! I’ve never even considered a soda stream because I very rarely drink any kind of soda. Ginger ale and ginger beer are rare exceptions. But with that little book, making our own unique flavors without all the junk in manufactured soda …. hmmm …. my goodness that’s tempting!
Jenny M says
I received the Soda Stream for Christmas. I love it, I use to buy Perrier water by the case. Haven’t bought any since. I only do the water. I use lemon or lime if I want flavor.
Judy H says
I’d also like to hear about the ginger ale! I love ginger ale, but I haven’t had a soda in more than a year now.
Martha says
Love mine… I make seltzer and use their mandarin orage flavor. Mine looks just like yours, same vintage. There are some all natural flavors without artificial sweeteners. Cola, ginger ale, root beer, green tea, lemon lime etc. We have tried the root beer and it tastes more like cream soda then root beer. I need to change carbonator as this one went dead tonight….. Glad I have 2 so never run out. If this one dies I would buy another one immediately!
OHSue says
We got a soda stream a couple of years ago and never did like any of the flavors, but we do think it adds something to plain water and fruit juices, especially grape juice. My son prefers to use it for just plain water, though.
Cari says
Mine sits on my counter and I use it everyday. I use it with the small bottles and powder Crystal Light packets. I carbonate my ice cold water,, add the packet and put the cap on QUICK and let it sit for few minutes. Burp it slowly until the fizz settles down then add more plain cold water to the neck of the bottle. Since I love Squirt I buy the SS Diet Grapefruit and add about 1/2 teas to my pink or regular lemonade. I also like Crystal Light Cherry Pomegranate and Wyler’s Strawberry Kiwi. I make my own flavorings from cranberries I cook down it the crockpot and add my own sugar and splenda. I have had mine for 2 and a half years. Ex Pepsi, Dr Pepper, Cherry Coke and Squirt drinker……….. My folks own one and so does 2 of my 3 kids. I’m going to check out the Artisan Soda book.
Paua L says
My Soda Stream is like yours. I did not like any of their flavorings but found that I love the plain sparkling water. Sometimes I will make a lemon or lime syrup to put in it but mostly just the plain water.
Pat (EagleKnits) says
We’ve had a Soda Stream for several years, and use it mostly to make carbonated water. We bought it hoping that DH could make his own Diet Pepsi, but he didn’t like the diet cola or any of the other diet/regular flavors available. The all-natural ones are ok, but I think they are too expensive. I may have to buy this book; it would be fun to experiment with the syrups.
Cindy B. says
There is going to be a run on purchases of the book!
We enjoy ours/ son’s Soda Stream.
Sara Schmidt says
Thank you all (and Judy) for honest reviews. I have been thinking about getting one, but hated the idea of spending the money without knowing how it really tasted. I wished that they would have a demo at Sam’s or Wally World. I like the idea of using fruit juices with it. I saw that they have Country Time Lemonade flavors. Will check the sugar content! Thank you all again!!
wanda ll says
My daughter got one for Dr. P also and didn’t like the flavor. I think you could get snowcone syrup if you didn;’t make your own syrup It is cheap 5 dollars a gallon just flavor and sugar.. I love Lemonberry slushes at Sonid. It is lemon-aid and strawberries. You might give that a try. Lime with cherries is good too. I’ve always like the fizzey part of drinks but since gastric bypass can’t have any longer. You ladies are making me envious fizzy water.( do you remember fizzys when we were young). You put the tablet in glass and it fizzed like alkerselzer).I LOVE FIZZ oh how I miss it……..Oh well 160 lbs gone so I guess living without fizz is good…….Enjoy a drink on me.
Carolyn says
I’ve not tried that at all. It intrigues me though.
I had a Dr tell me once that his theory on Carbonated drinks was: they contain Carbon Dioxide (CO2) which is what we exhale. We exhale it because it is cellular waste. Therefore we are putting poop in our drinks!
LOL I still love me a soda or as it is called in OHIO Pop. My latest preference bc of going sugar free, is Diet Rite. I’ve been told it tastes like Dr Pepper. But I don’t know about that.
Mama Spark says
Interesting about your Soda Stream. We also have the same model as you and I found that the knock off drinks are not my favorites either. I may have to give this a try! Thank you for the tip!!
Joyce says
Interesting. I’ve never considered a soda stream too seriously. I may change my mind!
Angie says
We have a Soda Stream, and we love it! Our favorite flavors are the Root Beer, and Ocean Spray Cranberry. I think what is missing when one says they don’t like the soda stream flavors may be that they don’t contain all the sugar, salt and caffeine the regular store bought versions one’s taste buds get used to.. Therefore, yes some of the soda stream syrups may taste different. We don’t drink a lot of the Soda Stream drinks, but, I love the concept, and we trade in our empty canisters for new ones at Staples or Bed, Bath and Beyond. A nice cold Root Beer out on the patio on a hot afternoon hits the spot!
liz says
When I bought the soda stream, I was thinking about just carbonated water as well as the tonic water. Some of the syrups are too sweet for me so I tried some of the drops that you can get to put in water – lots of flavors, lower calories and easier to store. So, those little bottles are on my list of things to buy when they are on sale. There are lots of brands & flavors and they are usually in the same aisle as the water/sodas.
micki says
I love mine! I use the diet lemon lime, but will eventually make the flavoring from stevia amd lemon jc..
Shelley says
I’ve had a Soda Stream for a couple of years. I just use it for seltzer and drink it plain. Last week though I made strawberry lemonade and that was good!
Jan says
Have you heard of “shrub?” It’s an old fashioned syrup made of berries, sugar and apple cider vinegar that you let sit, and then it will hold in the fridge because of the acidity. It is both sweet and tart and very, very good mixed in Soda Stream water.
Dora, the quilter says
I’m so glad people are giving up commercial sodas–it’s not just the sugar; the scary part for me is the phosphoric acid in colas and other caramel colored drinks because it leaches calcium from bones and teeth. I’m one who just likes the fizz. I use seltzer water from Smith’s/Kroger, plain or with a bit of juice; also get my fizz-fix by adding Emergen-C to water. Every few months I *still* crave a Diet Dr. Pepper–and sometimes cave. I hadn’t heard of Soda Stream.