SodaStream Brings a Soda Fountain Home!

As a review blogger, I am constantly in contact with new brands and products, but I was intruiged to hear from another blogger about how much she loved her SodaStream model.  Having never heard of this company, I was intrigued and contacted them about reviewing their product. (BTW, I have to mention here that I later found ALL of their products at my local Kohl’s on sale!).  The company rep was very willing to send us their products to review, and we received the  G100 Genesis Model from SodaStream, priced around $99 on Amazon, plus a HUGE allottment of their syrups! The first thing I loved about the product is the packaging colors.  It’s fun to look at, and there’s a nostalgic excitement about making your own soda at home! The kit comes with the CO2 canister and the Sodastream maker.  We also received two reusable bottles valued at $19.99.

Above you can see were sent seven (50 serving) Syrup Flavorings (16.9 oz.) and three of the larger Syrup Flavorings (25 serving- 25.4oz.) Some of the flavors require more syrup to make their respective soda types, and need more fluid ounces (why there are less servings in a larger bottle). I noticed that these prices varied somewhat  on Amazon, but the smaller bottles were on sale at my local Kohl’s for around $5.99.

Here is a thorough listing of what we received:

• Sodastream G100 Genesis Soda Maker
• 2 Reuseable bottles
• 7 (16.9oz.) syrups
• 3 (25.4 oz.) syrups
• 12-pack of syrup samples
• 3 sampels of mywater- sparkling water flavor essence

Sodastream is touted for it’s environmentally friendly approach to soda.  You are not throwing away as much plastic, and each smaller syrup makes (33) 12-oz. cans (This varies by flavoring).  So, you are creating less waste.  However, their packaging of products is still plastic, but has a recycle symbol of “1” on the bottom in the recycle triangle.  I still feel that less is better!

As far as cost, the CO2 refill is priced at $69.99 on Amazon, and the side of our canister says it makes up to 60 liters.  So, this priced alone is about $2 for each 2-Liter of Soda.  So, the price is somewhat higher than buying soda on sale for $0.89 per 2-Liter (which is the usual price I pay).  However, I have to admit, that the convenience of not having to lug 2-Liters around and the novelty of the machine makes it more convenient and LOTS of fun!

We decided to break our new machine out Thanksgiving evening with family, and we had a lot of fun trying the different flavors- It was like a wine tasting only with soda! LOL

There are several things we have learned about our Sodastream machine over the last several weeks.

• First, make sure you shake the syrups very well upon opening, and I would shake them each time you use them.
• READ the instructions to make sure you know EXACTLY how to add your carbonation, or you may wind up with soda all over the place.
• Definitely keep the syrups cold, put the soda over ice, and keep it in the refrigerator once you’ve made your liter.
• Don’t pour the syrup in too fast. (This goes along with the second tip).
• Also, as with anything, you may like or dislike certain flavors.  We all have our favorites!

My hubby likes the Green-Tea Pomegranate Peach, and I love the Ginger Ale.  Both of us chose Root Beer as our second pick.  I have to admit that the nicest feature for me (someone who has frequent stomach upsets), I LOVE having Ginger Ale at all times.  I feel better almost instantly when I drink Ginger Ale, and I have LOVED having it close at hand when I need it! I also don’t miss lugging my 2-Liters of sodas home from the store each week!

A great suggestion would be to inquire at your local department stores to see if they do a display with taste-testings! I think this would be a GREAT way to try the product first! If you decide to purchase the Sodastream, I would also suggest buying the varieity pack of syrups to try before you purchase several of the syrups and find you don’t like them.  Once you open them, they have to be refrigerated which also makes them unreturnable!!!

Overall, I’m very happy with my soda stream, and I think it is going to do for soda what the Keurig did for coffee!!

If you are looking to purchase your own,visit  SodaStreamUSA.com and enter code BESTFRIENDS and save $10 off* any new soda maker package, within the next 30 days.

***Please NOTE, while I received all my review items free of charge, this is my honest evaluation and opinion, and I’ve also included ways to get the most out of this machine!