Sometime a couple of years ago my sister gifted me with a Soda Stream soda maker. I didn’t use it much, partly because I didn’t really know what to do with it, and partly because my kids both hate fizzy drinks. While the latter fact works out for me in that I don’t have to work to keep them away from pop, it also means that my plans to make fizzy orange juice as an exciting treat haven’t panned out.
Recently, however, I was offered the chance to review The Artisan Soda Workshop, a book that offers 70 recipes to help you make your own pop at home. Some of them are fountain classics, some of them are very exotic, and some are even alcoholic. Unlike store bought, all the recipes use natural ingredients like fruits, herbs, and actual sugar. Thinking that I would finally have a chance to figure out what to do with the Soda Stream, I seized the opportunity.
I have spent the past few weeks sampling six different soda recipes, so that I could give you a thorough review. Here’s what I tried:
- Sparkling Rosemary Lemonade
- Blackberry Lavender
- Cream Soda
- Concord Grape
- Chocolate
- Egg Cream
On the whole, the syrups were easy to make, and they kept well in my fridge. It takes a little bit of planning because you have to cook and cool them before you use them, but it’s something you can easily do in the afternoon to have pop with dinner. I also found that the homemade sodas were, by and large, less sweet than store-bought. This could be good or bad depending on your point of view, and you could always adjust the sugar to taste.
As for the sodas themselves, I was a big fan of the cream soda (so easy, so tasty), the blackberry lavender and the concord grape. I was sort of mixed on the sparkling rosemary lemonade, but once I added a little bit of gin it was quite delightful. As for the chocolate soda and the egg cream, which are quite similar, I was not a fan. However, this is really a matter of personal taste, and your mileage may vary, for sure.
I do enjoy sharing the love, as you know, so I thought I’d give you a chance to try making your own homemade soda. If you don’t have a Soda Stream, you can either see if my sister is willing to give you one too (unlikely) or you can just buy seltzer water to mix it up with. I’m giving away my copy of the book, as soon as I finish writing down a few of my favourite recipes. I’m also throwing in a copy of Mommy Mixology: A Cocktail for Every Calamity. You can find out more about that book by listening to my podcast with author Janet Frongillo.
If you’d like to win The Artisan Soda Workshop and Mommy Mixology, leave a comment on this post on or before September 30, 2012. I’ll draw a name at random and pop the books in the mail.
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Making your own cream soda?! My husband would love that!
Laura’s last post … Giveaway: Plastic Free Book $20 ARV {9.29; US}
Twitter: sadderbutwiser
says:
Are you sure your sister doesn’t want to give me one too? Pretty please?
I admit I am quite intrigued by the idea of the Soda Stream maker. I personally I have an unhealthy addiction to diet lemon flavored pop. Someday perhaps I hope to try it. In the meantime, I’d love to win a copy of that book. I’d gladly buy seltzer to mix it up!
The Sadder But Wiser Girl’s last post … Where Have All the Humans Gone?
Twitter: jenarbo
says:
Oooh I’d love this. We’ve been making soda with jam! Jam mixed into soda water, usually with some mint added. YUM!
Jen’s last post … Picture Tuesday
Twitter: blauelibelle
says:
“…but once I added a little bit of gin it was quite delightful.” So true of so many things…
Lisa C’s last post … Wordless Wednesday: The Food Cart Fest Edition
I think I’m addicted to pop (soda). Maybe there’s a way for me to still have it and be healthier. I’d love to try out this book!
Oh, I love cream soda! And rootbeer too. Sounds like a fun book!
-Dana
Dana’s last post … First Week of School Lunches Gluten Free
We have a soda syphon bottle, so the books would be very useful.
These books sound great! I got a sodastream last year, and it has been well used; but we have gotten pretty tired of the syrup you can buy in stores. I would love to try out some new recipies.
Also, I would be excited to make something that I know what all the ingredients are!
I just got a soda stream! And I have been looking for great recipes to use with it. This book looks awesome!
Right now, I just make carbonated water with our Soda Stream. These recipes sound yummy.
I am not a big soda person, but everyone in awhile I have a craving for some sparking something! Would love that book!
Good Girl Gone Green’s last post … Apple Pie Smoothie
Twitter: Oolawoola
says:
We have a soda stream. Two years now. Best invention ever! We wee spending a fortune on imported Italian sparkling water. Why import water when ours is awesome! But it is hard to find good syrups. The almost all of the soda stream ones have sorbitol. Gross! Bosa has some syrups that have no artificial flavors or colors. I would love to see this book and make my own!
Twitter: fentonslee
says:
You wrote the words “homemade” and “cream soda” and my heart nearly stopped beating.
Slee’s last post … Color Me Flustered
Twitter: Cloudphile
says:
My husband have me a soda stream for our wedding anniversary and we have almost exclusively been drinking fizzy water. I have made a couple of syrups that have been delicious, and I was preparing to make lavender syrup today, but I think I will try to buy some blackberries at the farmers marker today and make the blackberry lavender syrup! There is also a vendor who makes awesome syrups so I’ll be picking up a couple of those too. I made a yummy “tummy tonic” syrup with ginger, orange, mint an anise seed. My favourite so far.
I’d love this – thanks!