If you like fizzy drinks or sparkling water, you know how difficult it is to buy them at the supermarket. It is heavy, takes up a lot of space and leaves the recycling filled with plastic bottles.
There is another way: make it yourself at home. Carbonated water using CO2 — carbon dioxide — is quick and easy with a countertop machine like the humble SodaStream.
Just fill a bottle with tap water, press the button on top a few times depending on how fizzy you want it, and bingo, you’ve got fresh sparkling water.
Add a slice of lemon or some liqueur and you have a tasty drink that is considerably healthier than a carbonated drink filled with sugar or sweetener. And if you want sparkling water or other mixers for an event, you can make as much as you need on the day without having to lug around heavy bottles.
It’s also better for the environment because you can reuse the plastic or glass bottle that comes with a SodaStream. Since each cylinder holds up to 60 liters of water, that’s a lot of single-use plastic bottles that you don’t buy and recycle or – worse – throw away. Still, there are the delivery emissions to consider: you have to order gas bottles and return the empty bottles for reuse when they are ready.
Having sparkling water available at the touch of a button is a great incentive to stay hydrated, and a SodaStream has a small countertop footprint, so it’s easy to place on your kitchen worktop.
To actually make sparkling water with a SodaStream, fill the bottle to the line with tap water. Cold water works best, so it’s best to have more than one carbonated bottle on hand and keep it in the fridge ready to use.
Insert it into the machine at an angle so that the spout is just below the water level and push it in so that it is vertical. Depending on the type of machine you have, the carbonation process is slightly different. Traditional machines require you to hold the button on top for two seconds and release. You should do this three times for light carbonation and five times if you want more fizz.
Newer machines may have different mechanisms. For example, the Art has a lever that you push down to carbonate. The electric, plug-in E-Terra has three buttons, for more or less carbon dioxide. Just tap the one you prefer.
soda stream
If you want to make lemonade, cola, and other classic flavors, you can buy flavorings from SodaStream and add them once the water is fizzy.
Four new SodaStream models are available. They are all compatible with the new quick connect gas cylinders.
The Terra is the simplest – and most budget-friendly model. The Art has a classic design and a unique lever control. After that, depending on where you live, you can buy the Aqua Fizz, which can use glass bottles, or the Duo, which can buy both reusable plastic and glass bottles. Finally, there’s the E-Terra plug-in, which lights up as it carbonates. We just tested the E-Terra. Check out our review to find out what we thought of it.
You can view all models on SodaStream.
soda stream
Best SodaStream Deals
Are you considering buying a SodaStream? These are the best deals we can find right now.
If you’re in the US, you can use code Memorial20 to get a 20% sitewide discount from SodaStream.
In the UK, SodaStream has a brilliant half-price offer on the Terra flavor pack (note that this is the basic, not the light-up model). It’s normally £167.92, but the current offer is £83.96, saving you 50%. Get the deal from SodaStream. In the package you get the Terra machine, a gas bottle, two reusable plastic bottles and five different flavors, including Pepsi and 7-Up.
Amazon UK has an offer on the Terra starter pack. In addition to the machine, you get a reusable two-liter BPA-free plastic bottle and a gas bottle. This pack would normally cost you £109.99, but you can buy it from Amazon now for just £84.02 – you save almost a quarter of the price.
Amazon also has an offer for the Art Starter Pack – it costs a little more, but it’s even more affordable. You get the fancy Art machine, a plastic bottle and cylinder for just £89.99, down from £139.99, saving a whopping 33% or £50. Get the deal from Amazon.
