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Soda and sparkling water can make up a surprisingly large portion of a grocery bill if a person isn't careful. But it is possible to bring down the cost by making your own. The Sodastream Fountain Jet can carbonate a 1-liter bottle of soda in a matter of seconds: it's a matter of mixing water and a soda syrup for a drink. Even better, the soda syrups available from Sodastream do not use high-fructose corn syrup and are better for you. There are more than 25 flavors available, in regular, diet, and caffeine-free versions. There's even an energy drink version.
The Sodastream Fountain Jet comes with a starter kit that includes not only the soda maker but also carbonators and reusable carbonating bottles where you can store soda. The bottles are BPA-free and reusable, as well as available in a variety of designs. The system does not require electricity to run, instead relying on carbonators filled with CO2. A small carbonator will prepare up 60 1-liter bottles, while a large carbonator can add fizz to up to 110 1-liter bottles. It's priced at $84.99 and additional flavors, carbonators, and bottles are available from Sodastream. Carbonators can also be refilled by authorized retailers.
(Credit:
Hammacher Schlemmer)
The soda siphon pumps carbonation into any liquid of your choosing by adding pressure to it. Contrary to the more common one-glass models, it makes an entire carafe of fizzy refreshments for your family, kid's birthday party, or the next time you invite guests over for dinner. The carafe is placed inside the siphon and the external lever is pressed a few times to infuse the water or juice inside with carbonation.
My favorite feature of the soda siphon is the flexibility of the product that comes out of it: you can adjust the amount of fizz you add to fit your tastes, pressing a few times for light fizz and many times for dense bubbles.
The kit comes with two carafes with stoppers, the Siphon, and two CO2 cartridges, both of which can fizz up to 45 carafes of soda and sparkling water. You can buy it on Hammacher Schlemmer's Web site for $249.95.
Anyone can open the fridge and grab a soda. And even the minifridge under the bar doesn't have quite the cachet it used to. So what's the solution, if you'd like something that sets your kitchen apart from the ordinary? How about this 1950s-style refrigerated vending machine from Nostalgia Electric? With this in your kitchen, you can serve drinks in real style. The fridge loads easily--just open the front door and pack in up to 18 cans of your favorite soda. When you push the button under your beverage of choice, the can rolls to the bottom for quick retrieval. Refrigeration keeps your cola icy cold for that store-bought feeling. The machine isn't full size, so it should fit in your space. It's about 12 inches wide, less than a foot deep, and just over 2 feet tall. Pricing for the machine varies online--you can find it anywhere from $139 plus shipping to $199 with free ground shipping. If you're looking for a creative gift idea, this vending machine could bring (cold) cheer to someone on your holiday list.
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