I know you’re asking about syrups, but before you buy a Sodastream, have you looked into a DIY version? I made one of these a couple years ago. The tank holds way more CO2 than the ones Sodastream has. Not a proprietary tank is nice. https://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2012-06/how-make-your-own-home-carbonation-system/ Edit: trying to make the link work.
Thank you I have wanted to do this for a long long time.
You’re very welcome. I hope it works out for you.
I’m getting a 404 error. Regardless the system is bought already. Just looking for some syrup recommendations mostly.
Edit: working now! Thanks!
If you haven't bought a soda stream yet, I'd recommend a drinkmate as they can carbonate more than just water. Sodastream recommends only water.
What else do you want to carbonate?
Juices, mixed drinks, fruit, flat pop/beer.
Someone from the UK suggested I add carbonated water to orange juice, so maybe just sparkling juices?
As someone from Germany, I recommend apfelschorle: sparkling water with apple juice. It's a very common drink here, especially in summer.
soda stream is also made in apartheid israle, and is currently owned by pepsi co, you can and should certainly find an alternative
Oh how the tables have turned, America! How does it feel??
In case anybody doesn't know, this happens (or at least use to) for a lot of stuff in Canada. Or like $28 of import fees for a $13 product.
You could likely make a "simple syrup", keep in fridge and add things like pureed lime and such.
(it actually never occurred to me that you could buy syrups - but I suppose that makes sense!)
Ah I got a soda stream specifically so I could make soda at home for cheaper. My wife has a terrible addition to Dr. Pepper and I’m hoping to find a cheaper alternative.
But making simple syrup is something we do for Amaretto Sours already, and I’m sure could make a decent seltzer have some better taste.
For my part I started ordering baking extracts, which I was surprised number in the thousands now, and mix and match whatever flavor I want.
Let us know how it goes! I actually don't have a soda stream, but my folks do, and this is something I'd like to try. If you don't waste ingredients, it'll be way cheaper than Dr. Pepper. I admit I prefer his cousin, who happens to be a Sgt. (with a somewhat lonely heart...)
I’ve had good luck just finding food flavoring concentrates and adding a few drops to create my own LaCroix-esque drinks. Not the same as homemade CocaCola, but calorie free!
Wow this is pretty much exactly what I wanted!
If you ever add enough to make the water taste like real soda how much flavoring do you add? Probably going to purchase from here but want to know where to start with my home mixtures.
I wouldn’t add too much of flavors like this or it ends up tasting weird. You’ll learn to dial it in with experimentation. Each one is slightly different, but as a general rule five drops and swirling to mix is my first attempt.
If you want something to taste like a sugary drink, you’ll want a syrup designed for that. And there I’m afraid I can’t help you, because it isn’t my use case for the SodaStream.
By the way, make SURE to not add flavoring until after you’ve added the carbon dioxide. Otherwise you’ll end up with a mess. Trust me. 😅
Not sure if you get it in the US the same as in the UK, but I find that even just squash is good with carbonated water, e.g. orange squash. Cheaper than syrups and it tastes good with still water too!
Ah basically fresh squeezed orange juice then? I can see that being very good. I’ll keep that in mind!
No squash is very different to fresh juice. It's also called cordial but cordial tends to be far "syruppier" and may be slightly different, I'm not sure.
You mix 1 part squash with 6ish parts water (depending on preferred strength) and drink.
Ribena and Robinsons are the squash kings in the UK, just a very easy way to mix up some flavoured water basically.
I've got you, fam. These folks (Bakto) have a dozen different flavors. You'll need to mix them with simple syrup, because they're unsweetened.
Try Northwoods Soda, they make some good syrups and even do custom ones on request
Looks promising but sheesh those shipping costs are high. I suppose that should be expected for basically shipping heavy liquids. Thanks!
Has anyone found a good tonic water syrup?
Monin syrups are by far the most cost effective if you can get them in a local restaurant supply that’s open to the public. Costs about $10-$12 USD in the states and makes half sugar soda (28g/12oz). Their huckleberry is delicious. Otherwise, bubly is good for no sugar syrup.
If you’re looking for fruit flavors, there are those squeeze pods of water flavorings available at most grocery stores. Mio does a really good orange vanilla, it’s like having a creamsicle soda.
Lime cordial works pretty well. Far better than any of the official syrups, assuming they are the same in the US as they are across the pond.
Try Jo Snow, it's a local brand in Chicago.
It seems like this one is out of business? I can’t find their page if so. Could you link it?
Yeah, wow, their Instagram is still up (advertising a warehouse sale) but their webpage is gone and gmaps shows them as "permanently closed". Sorry to get your hopes up, seems like it happened sometime in the last year.
Don’t buy SodaStream brand. They support genocide.
Because they are an Israeli company?
Yes, exactly.
I get boycotting Israeli companies because of the actions of the Israeli state, but characterising a private organisation as explicitly endorsing genocide simply because they are Israeli owned is bullshit
The very basis of the Israeli state is dependent on two things.
Both of which inevitably lead to genocide of the native population.
The existence of Israel is inherently evil as well as anyone who supports its continued existence.
Don’t try to circumvent your complicity in genocide.
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