this post was submitted on 29 Nov 2023
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I live in the US, and can only seem to find a variety of soda syrups that ship to Canada here.

https://www.sodacentre.com/collections/syrup

This was my best lead but am looking for sometime similar.

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[–] [email protected] 23 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

I know you’re asking about syrups, but before you buy a Sodastream, have you looked into a DIY version? I made one of these a couple years ago. The tank holds way more CO2 than the ones Sodastream has. Not a proprietary tank is nice. https://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2012-06/how-make-your-own-home-carbonation-system/ Edit: trying to make the link work.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Thank you I have wanted to do this for a long long time.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

You’re very welcome. I hope it works out for you.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

I’m getting a 404 error. Regardless the system is bought already. Just looking for some syrup recommendations mostly.

Edit: working now! Thanks!

[–] ryathal 18 points 1 year ago (2 children)

If you haven't bought a soda stream yet, I'd recommend a drinkmate as they can carbonate more than just water. Sodastream recommends only water.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 year ago (2 children)

What else do you want to carbonate?

[–] ryathal 8 points 1 year ago

Juices, mixed drinks, fruit, flat pop/beer.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Someone from the UK suggested I add carbonated water to orange juice, so maybe just sparkling juices?

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago

As someone from Germany, I recommend apfelschorle: sparkling water with apple juice. It's a very common drink here, especially in summer.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 year ago

soda stream is also made in apartheid israle, and is currently owned by pepsi co, you can and should certainly find an alternative

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago (1 children)

You could likely make a "simple syrup", keep in fridge and add things like pureed lime and such.

(it actually never occurred to me that you could buy syrups - but I suppose that makes sense!)

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (2 children)

Ah I got a soda stream specifically so I could make soda at home for cheaper. My wife has a terrible addition to Dr. Pepper and I’m hoping to find a cheaper alternative.

But making simple syrup is something we do for Amaretto Sours already, and I’m sure could make a decent seltzer have some better taste.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

For my part I started ordering baking extracts, which I was surprised number in the thousands now, and mix and match whatever flavor I want.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Let us know how it goes! I actually don't have a soda stream, but my folks do, and this is something I'd like to try. If you don't waste ingredients, it'll be way cheaper than Dr. Pepper. I admit I prefer his cousin, who happens to be a Sgt. (with a somewhat lonely heart...)

[–] [email protected] 7 points 1 year ago

Oh how the tables have turned, America! How does it feel??

In case anybody doesn't know, this happens (or at least use to) for a lot of stuff in Canada. Or like $28 of import fees for a $13 product.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I’ve had good luck just finding food flavoring concentrates and adding a few drops to create my own LaCroix-esque drinks. Not the same as homemade CocaCola, but calorie free!

This is where I ordered my last batch from a couple years ago. Small bottles last a LONG time if you’re only using 3-7 drops per liter!

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Wow this is pretty much exactly what I wanted!

If you ever add enough to make the water taste like real soda how much flavoring do you add? Probably going to purchase from here but want to know where to start with my home mixtures.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 1 year ago

I wouldn’t add too much of flavors like this or it ends up tasting weird. You’ll learn to dial it in with experimentation. Each one is slightly different, but as a general rule five drops and swirling to mix is my first attempt.

If you want something to taste like a sugary drink, you’ll want a syrup designed for that. And there I’m afraid I can’t help you, because it isn’t my use case for the SodaStream.

By the way, make SURE to not add flavoring until after you’ve added the carbon dioxide. Otherwise you’ll end up with a mess. Trust me. 😅

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago
[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Not sure if you get it in the US the same as in the UK, but I find that even just squash is good with carbonated water, e.g. orange squash. Cheaper than syrups and it tastes good with still water too!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Ah basically fresh squeezed orange juice then? I can see that being very good. I’ll keep that in mind!

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

No squash is very different to fresh juice. It's also called cordial but cordial tends to be far "syruppier" and may be slightly different, I'm not sure.

You mix 1 part squash with 6ish parts water (depending on preferred strength) and drink.

Ribena and Robinsons are the squash kings in the UK, just a very easy way to mix up some flavoured water basically.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

I've got you, fam. These folks (Bakto) have a dozen different flavors. You'll need to mix them with simple syrup, because they're unsweetened.

[–] StunningGoggles 2 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Try Northwoods Soda, they make some good syrups and even do custom ones on request

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

Looks promising but sheesh those shipping costs are high. I suppose that should be expected for basically shipping heavy liquids. Thanks!

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)
  1. I was there.
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

If you’re looking for fruit flavors, there are those squeeze pods of water flavorings available at most grocery stores. Mio does a really good orange vanilla, it’s like having a creamsicle soda.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

Monin syrups are by far the most cost effective if you can get them in a local restaurant supply that’s open to the public. Costs about $10-$12 USD in the states and makes half sugar soda (28g/12oz). Their huckleberry is delicious. Otherwise, bubly is good for no sugar syrup.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

Lime cordial works pretty well. Far better than any of the official syrups, assuming they are the same in the US as they are across the pond.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago

You can get the same mix boxes as fast food soda fountains have, on ebay

[–] Reverendender 1 points 1 year ago

Has anyone found a good tonic water syrup?

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Don’t buy SodaStream brand. They support genocide.

[–] [email protected] 0 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Because they are an Israeli company?

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)
[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I get boycotting Israeli companies because of the actions of the Israeli state, but characterising a private organisation as explicitly endorsing genocide simply because they are Israeli owned is bullshit

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 year ago

The very basis of the Israeli state is dependent on two things.

  1. Settler colonialism
  2. apartheid

Both of which inevitably lead to genocide of the native population.

The existence of Israel is inherently evil as well as anyone who supports its continued existence.

Don’t try to circumvent your complicity in genocide.

[–] [email protected] -1 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Try Jo Snow, it's a local brand in Chicago.

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

It seems like this one is out of business? I can’t find their page if so. Could you link it?

[–] [email protected] 3 points 1 year ago

Yeah, wow, their Instagram is still up (advertising a warehouse sale) but their webpage is gone and gmaps shows them as "permanently closed". Sorry to get your hopes up, seems like it happened sometime in the last year.