It was just over a month ago I was struck by a wave of nostalgia when my new SodaStream Genesis arrived at my desk. So I was looking forward to reviewing it for Kitchen Geekery.
I can remember my brother and sister making loads of drinks (and noise, and mess) with one of these, and I remember asking my mother to buy the syrups for them all the time.
Quite some time has passed since then, and the design of the products has changed too.
Setting up the SodaStream Genesis was about as easy as it could be, remove the wrapping, screw the gas cylinder in the back and you are ready to go. The unit itself is quite simple, and the build quality seems high, so I would expect it to last a few years with normal domestic use.
I got a selection of flavoured syrups with the SodaStream Genesis (sold separately); cola, lemonade, and a mojito mix for cocktails.
I use the lemonade syrup the most, it’s really good for making up mixers for alcoholic drinks on the fly. Using the SodaStream ensures I always have some fresh, fizzy lemonade when I need it (I don’t drink very often so big bottles always got wasted!). The environmental credentials are a big part of the pitch, as they claim that “one SodaStream reusable carbonating bottle can save up to 2,000 bottles and cans, plus it reduces the energy wasted by transporting billions of litres of ready-to-drink soft drinks”.
I have spent some time experimenting with fizzing up other liquids too, Ribena (the blackcurrant cordial) works well, and I have tried making a strawberry milkshake in it too – which was strange but cool.
I waited so long to post a review as I wanted to give a better indication of its long term value, after the novelty has worn off. I do still use it a few times a month, and I have been trying to get ahold of some Pepsi Max syrup to carbonate at home with the SodaStream Genesis – although the fruit based SodaStream syrups are pretty good, I just wasn’t a fan of their cola syrup.
Some other things worth a mention are; fill the bottle with water and keep chilled until you want to make a drink, as it helps the taste, and pour the syrup in the bottle slowly, or it will fizz over making a sticky mess. The fizz in the bottles does last for a few days if you seal the cap tightly – which was a concern of mine beforehand.
If you like fizzy drinks, or you like your cocktails then I can recommend this, a family or a heavy soda drinker will gain the most use from it, but occasional soda drinkers will benefit from fresh soda when they need it too.
You can buy the models including the cheaper Sodastream Spirit on Amazon, they vary in price quite a lot, but the end results will be the same regardless of the unit you use – but there is no harm in spending a bit more if it’s going to occupy a kitchen bench!
