“Dancin’ at your, Long Island, jazz age parties
Waiter bring us some more Bacardi’s
We’ll order now, what they ordered then
‘Cause everything old is new again” ~ Peter Allen
I owned a SodaStream once, back in the 80s. When they first came out on the Australian market I thought they were a brilliant idea (SodaStream has been around since 1903, please note I haven’t been around that long). No more lugging bottles of carbonated soft drinks and water from the supermarket. Shear brilliance!
Initially it was used continuously, then over time it made its way into the cupboard, and then sadly to the tip. I think that all took place in the space of a year. When I reflect back I think the main reason why this happened is nobody in the household was keen on the flavours available. Plus it didn’t seem to stay carbonated as long as store bought beverages.
If you are a child of the 80s you may remember this SodaStream ad.
Ah yes, Alakazam the SodaStream man!
It seems today that SodaStream is back with a vengeance. Ready to stake its claim in our kitchens once again. So sing it with me folks, loud and with lots of energy Peter Allen style.
‘cause everything old is new again!’.
Ever since they first came back on the market Josh has been pestering me for one. I‘m not sure if they actually ever went ‘off’ the market, maybe I should say they started to actively advertise and push them again. Each time he would ask if we could get one I would respond with “well son, back in the 80s when I was a young girl…… bla bla bla…… No, we aren’t getting one!”.
Then I received an email asking if I would like to try a SodaStream Play (RRP $99.95) and give one away to a reader. Josh just happened to be in my office looking over my shoulder. Talk about timing, he then turned on the big round puppy dog eye act. Mum…. Please….. say yes.
It is evident that puppy dog eyes work on me and I have been playing around with a SodaStream Play.
I am pretty positive that the SodaStream would have lasted longer in my kitchen in the 80s if I had thought to make my own soda syrups. I have been doing a bit of research and I am quite excited about the possibilities. I don’t drink a lot of soft drink and generally I used them as a mixer with booze, but I do like soda water and sparkling mineral water.
Therefore being able to make more adult tasting syrups really appeals to me. Of course you need to start somewhere, and where better to start than a classic cola syrup recipe.
The below recipe is based on one I saw in The New York Times back in 2011. They had adapted the recipe from Brooklyn Farmacy & Soda Fountain located on Henry Street in Brooklyn. I haven’t actually visited their establishment but they have a solid reputation and a cookbook out on the market as well (hint hint Santa).
When you make this syrup, don’t think Coke or Pepsi, because it isn’t going to taste like it. It is a cola flavour with its own little uniqueness.
You will need a piece of cheesecloth (muslin) for this recipe.
- 2 oranges, zest only finely grated
- 1 lemon, zest only finely grated
- 1 large lime, zest only finely grated
- ½ teaspoon ground cassia (substitute cinnamon if not available)
- ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg, freshly ground is best
- 1 star annis
- ½ teaspoon ground tonka bean, freshly ground is best
- ¼ teaspoon dried fennel seeds, bruised
- 2 teaspoons ginger, freshly grated
- Vanilla bean pod, 5cm length split
- ¼ teaspoon citric acid
- 1 ½ cups sugar
- 3 tablespoons light muscovado sugar
- In a heavy based medium size pot place all ingredients EXCEPT the sugar with 2 cups of water. Bring to the boil, and then gently simmer with lid on for 20 minutes.
- Remove the pot from the heat. Line a fine sieve with a square of cheesecloth and place sieve on top of another medium sized pot. Pour your liquid through the sieve, gather the sides of the cheesecloth and squeeze out all the liquid (be careful not to burn yourself). Remove sieve and cheesecloth aromatics from the top of the pot.
- Place sugars into the pot with the liquid. Place on a very low heat and stir until sugar has dissolved. Do not bring it to the boil or simmer. As soon as the sugar has dissolved remove from the heat.
- Place cola syrup in a clean bottle and store in the fridge. Will make around three cups.
The beauty of making your own soda and syrups is you can make them as sweet or as strong as you like. A tablespoon of flavouring mixed into a glass of soda water may be perfect for one person, another may like it sweeter with two or more tablespoons. I suggest you start with less and add more if needed.
What did I think of the SodaStream Play?
It’s fun and easy to use, but it does take up more bench space than I thought it would. I think it’s twice the size of the units in the 80s. Of course it is a lot sexier to look at.
To use the machine it is as simple as filling the provided bottle with water up to the fill line. Pushing the bottle up into the SodaStream Play, pushing the bottle back and then pushing the top of the machine down. Hold for a few seconds and release. Remove the bottle from the machine and screw on the cap. It is at this stage you add your flavouring if you wish.
The SodaStream Play comes with a starter cylinder, which you can then swap for the full size 60L cylinder (I’ve not attempted to do that yet). You will also get six mini sample syrups to try, orange, diet cola, cola, pink grapefruit, xstream energy and lemon lime.
Again the flavours aren’t really doing it for me. The cola is quite good, but I am not a fan of the pink grapefruit or the xstream energy. Josh is younger and male, so is more forgiving on the flavours than I am, he is enjoying some of them. It really is all about personal taste.
One important tip, if you are using it to make soda/fizzy plain water. Make sure you let your water breath from the tap (lets the chemical smells escape) for a while before gassing it up, or use cold boiled water. Otherwise it will just taste like fizzy Sydney tap water. I’m not knocking Sydney tap water at all, it is some of the best drinkable water straight from the tap in the World. But if you are adding it to some gin etc, you may not want the added ‘Sydney’ flavour.
Will I keep it?
Yes, Josh loves it. How long the novelty and honeymoon phase will last I am not sure, but I’m also enjoying it. The home made syrup possibilities are what have won me over. So yes, I think our SodaStream Play has a home in the Belly Rumbles kitchen.
Update May 2016
The novelty of the SodaStream ended very swiftly. It has been “sent to a farm” to live out the rest of its days frolicking in the sun.
Sara xxx
Belly Rumbles was gifted the SodaStream Play to road test.
Giveaway terms and conditions: Giveaway is open to Australian residents only. You can leave as many comments as you wish. The most original and creative comment will be chosen. Winner will be contacted by the email you use when leaving your comment. Winner will need to respond to me within 5 days or another winner will be chosen. Winner will be announced on FB once they have been confirmed. Giveaway entries close midnight Sunday 23rd November 2014.
Ohmygosh. Sean and I have just decided that we need a soda stream (mainly because I’m addicted to sparkling water and, like you am completely sick of dragging bottles of water up and down the stairs).
First cab off the rank would definitely be a vanilla, ginger and orange zest syrup. Perfect for mixing with a spot of caramelly rum.
Shez recently posted..beef noodle soup
I bought my folks and I soda streams about a year ago and we love it. I just got the base models which are no where near as stylish. Conveniently, my brother (or moreso, his kids) have been on at me to get them one. I’d happily give them mine if I could win a beautiful new one.
We don’t tend to drink a lot of cordial or squash but I love the idea of a tart gooseberry syrup on a hot day.
Sue recently posted..So There’s That
Oh I’ve always wanted a sodastream! Bubbles, I love fizzy bubbles 😀
I wonder what fizzy coconut water would taste like! Would be great for cocktails ^^
Only new to enjoying sparkling water….. however it is becoming a slight addiction!! Soda stream would make my addiction full blown… which I’m ok with (considering I’ve almost given away the soft bubbles!!)
Ohh I have wanted a soda stream since I was about 5 and a family friend had one! They have always fascinated me.
I’m in to water flavoured with fruit at the moment and fizziness would make them so much more fun.
I’d love to try lemon, cucumber and mint with a splash of bitters!
I have two options: 1) I would mix lemongrass, sugar and artificial banana flavouring to try to recreate my country’s national soft drink (Inca Kola), which is meant to be lemongrass-flavoured but most foreigners swear it tastes like banana bubble gum. 2) I would use ginger, maple syrup, and lime juice to make a base for chilcano (with added pisco).
Gaby recently posted..Review: Phyco Food Co. (Eveleigh markets)
My ultimate soda stream flavour will be ‘Pina Colada’ – imagine having a gorgeous non alcoholic cocktail to sip after work, made without a moment of fuss? Yes please!
I challenge you to make a Strawberry, Watermelon and Rose flavour which is inspired by the famous Black Star Pastry’s Strawberry Watermelon Cake with Rose Scented Cream. Then you can have you cake and drink your soda to match 🙂
Simon Food Favourites recently posted..Make your own Magnum at Westfield Sydney (29 Aug 2014)
When I was living in the states, the diner near my apartment sold a chocolate soda that was perfect for summer. Can’t get it here in Australia though.
I love trying new sodas. Since the big C, I’ve been trying to eat and drink cleaner. Been playin around with different flavors, but my fav is the homemade Raspberry/Orange syrup. All my recipes call for honey. They are dam good. If you want some more receipes to try, you know where to find me. xoxo
sara, this is a brilliant recipe, i can see that cola syrup being used in many other things!
I would love to get my hands on the sodastream with summer around the corner, ive got a few gatherings planned so it will come into good use!
milkteaxx recently posted..Saké Restaurant and Bar- The Rocks
oh and i forgot to mention a flavour! If possible i would like to try and recreate a carbonated version of my favorite tea. A mix of turkish apple, rose and vanilla with a hint of ginger or cardamom.
milkteaxx recently posted..Saké Restaurant and Bar- The Rocks
So you mentioned gin in there…. I challenge you to make tonic water to go with said gin! This looks like it will get plenty of use this summer!
I’m hooked on the Mojito Soda Stream syrup which seems only to be on sale @ Christmas. Have stocked up on this syrup to last me thru summer but it really needs the enhancement of bubbles to appreciate the full flavour so I’m saving up for the Soda Stream machine. To win one would be fantastic!
I love the idea of cherry cola, but really dislike the fake cherry flavour – why not a cherry cola with a real cherry flavour? Maybe with morello cherries for a bit of a sour hit!
LOL great minds think alike Shez, I have made cherry cola popsicles using the above syrup. Recipe will be on Belly Rumbles shortly 🙂
Wow, Sara! This is one healthy, spice-packed cola soda syrup! Love the combination here!
Gourmet Getaways xx
Gourmet Getaways recently posted..What is Paleo?
lol I remember those ads in the 80s! And being insanely jealous of a school mate who had one – soft drink on top was a mindboggling concept. Your homemade cola syrup is an awesome idea but have you tried tom yum coke? Normally you add pounded kaffir lime leaves, bruised lemongrass and galangal to coke but incorporating these into your cola syrup would be even better! And I’m trying to work out how you could make scones with strawberry jam and cream in syrup form – your homemade jam is still on my mind. lol.
Helen | Grab Your Fork recently posted..Two Sticks at The Quay, Haymarket Chinatown
I would have try your recipe.. I get the puppy dogs eyes too, but I say ‘If I didn’t have it as a kid…” but then I remember life was so unfair too.
Anywho.. I wonder would this work, its an italian recipe for sparkling soda. Using sparkling water or soda water with cucumber, orange and lemon thyme. sweeten with honey or/and sugar and the grown ups can add limoncello.
I going to see if i can find this as a recipe on google!!! My mother-in-law used to make it all the time.
Lime, passionfruit and mint. Deliciously zingy!
A vanilla, raspberry & pink peppercorn syrup could be very classy for a fun pink drink with a hint of zest!
(Clearly I”m angling for a win here. Or, you know, an early Christmas present. No shame.)
shez recently posted..tapeo, redfern
Remembering the Sodastream from when I was younger, mum said i wasnt old enough to make one. I dreamt up a recipe and unfortunately never got the chance as my sister broke it!!
My recipe was all the foods and lollys that were my favourite and to make it bubble and fizz was the icing on the cake.
Sherbert bombs
lolly teeth
snakes
red frogs
musk sticks, that were rolled in the mouth to look like a pencil!!
wizz fizz
I called it The corner deli weekly pocket money fab grab!! So my fantastical drink….
Candy Conundrum crush :*
Oh goody! This looks and sounds like so much fun! My suggestion would be an intergalactic creamy soda that sings of popping candy stars and rainbow unicorn neighs, spiked with a double dose of Absinthe, and a Maraschino cherry on top – yes, yes, yes! Sounds delicious – heaven knows how it tastes. 🙂
Padaek recently posted..A poem a day – Haiku – Sausage
We are loving ours… and I did a giveaway recently too… I’m with you on the flavours… not my cup of tea either.
Lizzy (Good Things) recently posted..Choc-hazelnut frozen banana pops
Please make anything with lychee in it!
Oh my! Trying the syrups immediately! The rare times I’m in the mood for a fizzy drink I usually go for one of the Italian flavours like chinotto or blood orange. The “grown up” tastes really appeal in this.
My memory of soda streams is from my aunts house. They switched to the machine after getting Loys home delivered soft drink(anyone remember?). My cousin was quite a character and at age 9 or something he would pretend to get a high from the machine by giving himself a dose of Co2 (mouth right on the aperture – ew!) made us giggle though. 🙂
Wow, that syrup sounds incredible.
Amanda@ChewTown recently posted..Semi-Dried Tomatoes
How about an apricot and ginger bevvy with the fresh stone fruit that’s just come into season?
shez recently posted..tapeo, redfern
The cola sounds YUM!! We have an old soda stream and use it daily. It saves buying all those extra bottles and is friendlier on the environment. We just don’t like the sugar loaded syrups, so mostly just drink carbonated filtered water. Sometimes add juice though. We would love one of the new sexy white soda steam plays 🙂
My suggestion would be to mix ~
Fresh Strawberries,
Fresh Mangoes,
Fresh Mint.
Have it muddled or blended or both!!
~YUM YUM YUM~
Pineapple and pear for a refreshing summer drink.
Mango!
choc berry would be insane
I think lemon and ginger and mint would be wonderfully refreshing
Rockmelon and Lime with a twist of Bitters…
I love superfoods so any superfoods
Ultimate flavour raspberry as love it !!
Pink Grapefruit so refreshing and great with Gin for a summers evening drink.
IT MAY SOUND A LITTLE BIZARRE, BUT I’M KEEN TO TRY AN ICED CUCUMBER FLAVOURED SODA AS I ADORE CUCUMBERS, AND WHAT’S GREAT IS THAT MY KIDS HATE THEM SO I’D BE ABLE TO DRINK MY SODA WITHOUT THEM PLEADING FOR ‘JUST ONE SIP’!!
With Christmas coming up, I reckon it would be great to have a mulled wine or glogg flavoured soda. All the fun and spice of Christmas, but on ice. And fizzy.
What is a Tonka bean?? Haha I need to google. Who knew Cola was so many flavours in one.
My all time favourite flavour is Vanilla. So I’m thinking a vanilla cola because it’s sometimes hard to find to buy. Oh wait scratch that. I want candy flavours. Skittles soda. All the rainbow.