SodaStream is back in my life!

My mum bought a SodaStream in the 80s. It was a pretty exciting addition to the family and I associated it very much with “grown up” drinks. I wasn’t allowed to use it, but I watched my mum and my grandma make drinks with it and it quickly became a household staple. It was our only source of fizzy drinks as we didn’t buy bottled pop and seemed rather exotic compared to endless cups of still squash. So when I was asked to review the SodaStream Spirit I was instantly nostalgic for my childhood and of course, said yes.

SodaStream Spirit Review

The SodaStream Spirit is incredibly easy to use, compact and cordless (doesn’t require electricity). It works with a carbon dioxide (co2) canister, which is easy to fit. A small slim canister which slots into the back of the machine makes up to 60L of fizz and then can be refilled, which is far more environmentally friendly than buying individual plastic bottles of pop, not to mention the environmental impact of shipping those bottles around the world. It comes with a reusable bottle and you can buy extra, including sports bottles too, so you can just make and go.

Once you’ve fitted the canister using it literally takes a few seconds each time you want to fill a new bottle. You pull the bottom section out, pop the bottle in without the lid on and then push the button for a few seconds. I was worried it might be messy or fiddly, but it’s not at all – there’s no spillage and it can be done by all ages.

You can buy the syrup to make drinks direct from Soda Stream or you can be inventive and make your own. The official ones include flavours like raspberry & mint, blueberry & lime, cola, old fashioned lemonade, grapefruit and ginger, along with a whole host of different fruit flavours. But one of the reasons I love this already is that I can literally just add fruit juice or squash and make a lovely tasting fizzy drink. I also made an amazing lemonade by simply melting some sugar in some lemon and lime juice. I got to see exactly what I was putting into it and to measure my sugar out accordingly and made a traditional lemonade that quite frankly was better than the stuff I buy, without any artificial sweeteners or colourings. You really don’t need a lot of juice, squash or syrup to make a bottle.

You can of course simply make sparkling water, serve in a glass with a wedge of fresh lemon or strawberry for a bit of natural flavour.

I took a look at the Soda Stream organic blonde cola syrup and it contains quite a bit less sugar than commercial cola and only a trace of caffeine. The caffeine content of some commercial soda really bothers me, as I’m quite sensitive to caffeine and I honestly think that people drink a lot of it without even realizing, not to mention the fact that it can have a detrimental affect on teenagers who very often drink coke. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that children under 12 not consume any caffeine at all.

I did a bit of napkin math and it definitely works out way cheaper to use a Soda Stream even if you buy the official syrups than buying soda in the shop and I feel a lot more confident about what’s in it – as well as happier about the environmental use. This is going to go on my list of things that you can switch to and save the world (well, a tiny bit at a time).

So Soda Stream is easy to use, it saves money, it’s healthier than regular soda and it helps the environment. Sounds like a win all round to me.

Note: I received a complimentary Soda Stream Spirit to review, but was not otherwise compensated for this post.