SodaStream

'Mummy, I can't decide if 2013 is a good year or a bad year. On the down side, we lost poor Arthur, but on the up side, we got a SodaStream.'
(An actual quote from a son who's clearly starting to rally after our dog's recent demise.)

I do very few reviews on this blog, as you regulars know, but now and again something comes along that I simply can't refuse- let's face it, we all have our price. And anyway, my fizzy drink obsessed offspring would never have forgiven me if I had turned down such an opportunity. (See quote above.)

Unlike most, we never had a SodaStream growing up but I thought it was the Best Thing Ever. Those were the days, when I could be easily bribed to clean the whole house from top to bottom for my own can of Tab. (To put it in perspective, a thimbleful was dispensed when one was divided between four of us as a Special Treat). Consequently, owning a SodaStream was the absolute holy grail, and anyone lucky enough to have one was guaranteed regular visits from l'il old me...how lucky were they?




Today the latest product is the SodaStream Source, and just like its predecessors, it uses water direct from the tap, to create an array of fizzy drinks, from classic colas and ginger beers to custom flavours-over 100 to be exact!
It looks pretty funky too-it's designed by top US designer Yves Behar and comes in a selection of colours.



It's still just as easy to use to-you just put the bottle of water in, push the button and there's that lovely familiar fizzing sound-  the light on the display comes on when you're done. The kids LOVE it- they take turns to choose the flavour (a decent selection comes free with the product) and fizz up the drink before dinner.

 By the way, on the issue of sugars and tooth decay, I looked into it, and apparently the SodaStream syrups have only one third of the sugar and calories of the soft drink brands. Even better, there's a whole new range of all natural, entirely sugar free flavour options. 

For me, its all about the sparkling water- expensive bottled water is a weakness of mine, but the SodaStream does it every bit as well.... no more Pellegrino for me then! It 's worth keeping in mind though that ALL fizzy carbonated drinks, even water, will cause tooth erosion, so should be limited accordingly.

Which brings me to the environmental aspect- did you know the average house wastes 550 bottles a 
year? Each single 500ml bottle of SodaStream concentrate produces up to 12 litres of soft drink, replacing 24 500ml plastic bottles. So in one easy step, you're saving the environment AND saving money...to put towards your mortgage, for example. (I TOTALLY mean for shoes)

What about cost? The retail price is £79.99 for the plastic ones, and £129.99 for the aluminium, while the syrups are from £3.49 each, and they're all available just about everywhere. Perfect for Christmas, and to put you in the mood, I've even got a few cocktail recipes lined up for the festive season-don't say I'm not good to you! Latersxxx

Cocktail Recipes * All recipes are fitted to 35 cl highball glass * Method: shake, strain over ice, top up VODKA - Dutch & Bubbly Set the mood and welcome your guests with a delicious aperitif to stimulate the appetite with a Dutch & Bubbly 30ml                  Vodka 10ml                  Apricot brandy  10ml                  Fresh lime juice 20ml                  Ginger syrup To finish top up with extra fizzySodaStream Passion fruit & Mango soda Garnish: lemon peel and half a passion fruit GIN – Mint & Red Berry Fizz The Mint & Red Berry Fizz is made with Gin, the come-back spirit, and creates the perfect festive SodaStream cocktail for those with a more fruity-pallet 40ml                         Gin 20ml                         Lime juice 20ml                         Raspberry puree 20ml                         Sugar syrup To finish top up with extra fizzy SodaStream Cranberry & Raspberry soda Garnish: mint sprig WHISKY - Coffee Cooler Finally, when the holiday stress becomes overwhelming, take three minutes to create a Coffee Cooler; the ultimate liquid luxury pick-me-up 40ml                  Whisky 20ml                  Kahlua To finish top up with extra fizzy SodaStream sparkling water Garnish: grapefruit peel and coffee beans