Wading Through The Soda Stream

 One of the best kitchen gadgets to have right now is the Soda Stream. This takes ordinary water and turns it into healthy plain or flavored seltzer as well as the base for homemade sodas. To be honest it took me a few years to actually get into mine. I'm sorry I came to the party late , wasting money on commercial sodas and seltzers.

This is the Soda Stream machine.

It's a long hollowed out canister with the charger being hooked up in the back. The machine itself ranges from $80.00 to an electric version costing $117. on sale. There's also the more deluxe version at $144.00 again on sale.  I bought mine at Target.All models come with a carbonating cylinder which lasts about three to four months, depending on how much you use it.  Bring back the empty to any store and you 'll receive a free replacement.  All come with a bottle or a carafe for the fizzy water.

You fill it with tap water and then set it into the canister.

My model has a large button on top and then it's just pressing so carbonation shoots (and I mean shoot - water does splash out of it) into it.  You can see the bubbles there. 

Afterwards it's then adding (and only adding afterwards) the flavors. 

I bought Soda Stream's cola flavor at my local Acme. I use only half a cap which give it a nice , light cola taste (and much better tasting than Coke or Pepsi.). I shake it up to mix and then pop into the fridge to chill. There are other flavors, like Dr Pete's which is a riff on Dr. Pepper along with their ginger ale. The company recently added Buble seltzer flavors - a definite must buy on my next Target trip. They also have fruit essences too - another must buy. Another plus  - I'm helping the environment by not buying all those cans and bottles. It's just one metal canister every few months.

Homemade soda is really the best. Get Soda Stream for a more refreshing take on soda and seltzer. Buy one today as an early Valentines' day gift for yourself. Then enjoy the fizz and bubbles.