Wednesday, May 20, 2015

Grapefruit Basil Soda Recipe

In honor of summer’s impending arrival, we’re showcasing another original recipe based on a refreshing, delicious cocktail: the grapefruit and basil martini. Don’t be turned off by the unconventional flavor pairing in our grapefruit basil soda recipe. It’s the perfect balance of sweet & refreshing, with a hint of cooling mint, pepper, and anise flavors from the basil.

Ingredients
Zest of 1 pink grapefruit
Juice of 2 pink grapefruits
Pinch of salt
½ cup of Stevia
2 cups of water
10-12 fresh basil leaves

Soda base preparation
  1. Combine stevia, grapefruit zest & juice, water in medium saucepan
  2. Bring to boil over medium to medium-high heat
  3. Remove from heat and add basil leaves
  4. Let steep for 1 hour
  5. Strain out & discard any solids
  6. Place in ½ quart Mason jar & keep for up to two weeks
To make a glass of grapefruit basil soda
  1. Fill glass ½ full with ice
  2. Muddle & add two basil leaves (optional)
  3. Add 3 tablespoons of syrup
  4. Add carbonated water
  5. Stir
Like our grapefruit basil soda syrup recipe? Pin it to a Pinterest board for later, using the button below!

Friday, May 15, 2015

Healthy Kiwi Cucumber Soda Recipe

The idea for our kiwi cucumber soda recipe comes from a delicious Latin-American summertime beverage: agua fresca. Kiwi cucumber agua fresca is perhaps the most refreshing, perfect on a hot summer afternoon. The kiwi gives it a slight tropical sweetness, while drinking cucumber has numerous health benefits including restoring electrolytes. Creating a puree base instead of syrup makes our kiwi cucumber soda recipe superior for restoring energy drained
by the heat.

Ingredients
6 peeled kiwis
1 large cucumber
6 packets of Stevia (or to taste)
6 cups of water

Soda base preparation
  1. Peel & de-seed the cucumber
  2. Puree kiwi, cucumber, Stevia & 1 cup water in blender 3-4 minutes
  3. Transfer mixture to a mason jar
  4. Keep refrigerated for up to a week
To make a glass of kiwi cucumber soda
  1. Fill glass halfway full with ice
  2. Shake or stir soda puree
  3. Add 1/3 of mixture to cup
  4. Fill with carbonated water
  5. Stir
We think making a puree vs. cooking a syrup makes this even better than a kiwi cucumber soda syrup. It’s much healthier, tastes fresher, and refreshes you more than a syrup-based soda.

Like our kiwi cucumber soda recipe? Pin it to a Pinterest board with the button below!

Wednesday, May 6, 2015

Sodastream Crystal Review

Features Overview:
  • Uses glass carafes instead of plastic bottles (we advise buying a 2nd if you go with this model)
  • Improved carbonating mechanism vs. Penguin, the only other model with glass containers
  • Elegant-looking design that we didn’t mind having on our counter-top
Today’s Sodastream Crystal review covers our favorite of the two Sodastreams offering glass carafes instead of bottles. If you’re searching for an elegant-looking soda maker that you won’t mind displaying on your counter, then the Sodastream Crystal might be for you. As serious soda drinkers, we at SodaMod found it worthwhile to spend the $179.99 on this model.

The major advantage the Crystal offers is the use of dishwasher-safe 620ml glass carafes instead of plastic bottles. Only it and the Penguin model offer glass containers. Many users prefer not to have plastic in contact with their food or drink, BPA-free or not. After all, BPA isn’t the only chemical in plastic.

While we tend to agree, and have come to believe that the soda water made in glass tastes better and stays fizzy longer, we do wish the U.S. models came with two glass bottles instead of one. We hear that at least some overseas models come with two. We advise purchasing a second if you decide to go with this model.

The Crystal’s construction is an improvement over previous Penguin models. It uses a button instead of using a lever as the Penguin does, which is less cumbersome to operate and makes it easier to keep on the counter beneath cupboards. We also didn’t like how the Penguin’s lever is awkwardly placed at the back of the machine. Excess gas is released automatically on removal of the carafe.

The glass bottle’s design has improved since originally being released with the Penguin, with screw-on caps instead of the awkward, slide-on caps they used to use. These are relatively sturdy, easy to use, and help retain carbonation longer than store-bought soda.

Did you find our Sodastream Crystal soda maker machine review helpful? Let us know via the social media buttons or comments section below!

All Sodastreams offer advantages versus buying soda and soda water by the can or bottle. They’re more environmentally friendly, saving tons of plastic and aluminum from landfills (or saving the energy it takes to recycle them). You control what goes in the water (use filtered instead of tap water and choose or create your own flavors!) and the level of carbonation.

And of course, we can’t forget the cost savings. While new Sodastream users are excited at the savings they’ll make, we can ensure those savings are much greater! The SodaMod Sodastream CO2 adapter lets you use medical-grade paintball tanks instead of Sodastream’s proprietary CO2 tanks, which you can inexpensively refill locally. Buy one today and start saving money the way you hoped!

Friday, May 1, 2015

Pineapple Mint Soda Recipe

The inspiration for this pineapple mint soda recipe is a favorite variation on a tropical summertime beverage, the Mojito. Never had a pineapple mojito? Add a shot of rum for a delicious cocktail!

Ingredients
1c coconut water
1 lime
.75c sugar
3c diced pineapple
10 mint leaves

Pineapple mint syrup preparation
  • Muddle mint with 1 tbsp. sugar, ½c pineapple & squeezed lime juice & set aside
  • Blend remaining pineapple to puree
  • Add coconut water & remaining sugar to medium saucepan
  • Stir mixture until sugar is dissolved
  • Heat over medium-high heat until sugar is caramelized 
  • Turn off heat & immediately add pureed pineapple 
  • Strain out solids and add liquid to a 1 quart mason jar
  • Add muddled mint mixture to mason jar and shake vigorously
  • Save syrup in fridge for up to two weeks
To make a glass of pineapple mint soda
  • Fill a glass ¾ full with ice
  • Add ¼c syrup
  • Fill glass with carbonated water
  • Gently stir
Interested in our pineapple mint soda syrup recipe but not sure you’ll have time to make it any time soon? Pin it to Pinterest for later, with the button below!

Tuesday, April 28, 2015

Raspberry Limeade Soda Recipe

This deliciously sweet and mildly tart raspberry limeade soda recipe is a twist on the classic cherry limeade.

Ingredients
1c water
1c sugar
1.5c lime juice
1c raspberries

Preparation
  1. Blend raspberries with lime juice to puree
  2. Combine sugar & 1/2c water in medium saucepan over medium heat
  3. Heat & stir until sugar is caramelized
  4. Add puree and remaining water slowly
  5. Remove from heat 
  6. Pour in 1 quart mason jar & save for up to two weeks
To make a glass of raspberry limeade Soda
  1. Fill glass ¾ full with ice
  2. Shake or stir soda syrup
  3. Add ¼ cup of syrup to glass
  4. Fill glass with carbonated water
  5. Gently stir
Did you enjoy making our raspberry limeade soda syrup recipe? Let us know in a comment or on social media!

Thursday, April 23, 2015

Sodastream Revolution Review

Find our Sodastream Genesis review helpful? Let us know via social media or comment!

Today’s Sodastream Revolution Sparkling Water Maker review will cover what is by far the most feature-rich and easiest-to-use Sodastream model. It’s the only powered Sodastream and isn’t quite as portable as other models but makes up for this with feature richness and ease of use. If you’re looking for a model to take on the go, consider a base unit like the Fountain Jet, Play, Genesis, or Source.

The Revolution has LED indicators that show you the fizz level of your soda and the CO2 canister’s usage status. Four buttons help you select from four preset carbonation levels: low, medium, high, and turbo. This contrasts with other Sodastream models that require the user to manually carbonate to the right level (some with indicators showing the current level, like the Source, and some without). Snap in the bottle using the easy snap-lock mechanism, and hit the desired carbonation level for automatic creation of the perfect carbonated water.

The form factor is slightly larger than most models, and can accommodate either the standard 14.5 oz. CO2 tanks most Sodastream models use or a double-capacity 33 oz. tank for fewer tank changes. The only other models that can accommodate these are the Play, Dynamo, Fizz and Fountain Jet.

The Revolution comes in two color schemes: one black with nickel plating and one almost entirely nickel plated. This design looks great as a permanent appliance in your kitchen, with the added benefit of increased durability.

If you’re looking for a dead-simple Sodastream that will let you make the perfect soda water every time, consider the Sodastream Revolution. If you’re just getting started with Sodastream and aren’t sure if you want to spend the money on this unit just yet, we’d recommend the Sodastream Genesis, Source, or Play.

Features Overview:
  • Four preset carbonation levels: low, medium, high & turbo
  • LED indicators for fizz level & CO2 usage status
  • Easy snap-lock mechanism to hold bottle in place
  • Nickel plating for attractive & durable design
  • Can accommodate 14.5 or 33 oz. Sodastream CO2 tanks or our Sodamod 12oz and 24oz tanks.
If you enjoyed our Sodastream Revolution review, let us know in the comments!

All Sodastreams offer advantages versus buying soda and soda water by the can or bottle. They’re more environmentally friendly, saving tons of plastic and aluminum from landfills (or saving the energy it takes to recycle them). You control what goes in the water (use filtered instead of tap water and choose or create your own flavors!) and the level of carbonation.

And of course, we can’t forget the cost savings. While new Sodastream users are excited at the savings they’ll make, we can ensure those savings are much greater! The SodaMod Sodastream CO2 adapter lets you use medical-grade paintball tanks instead of Sodastream’s proprietary CO2 tanks, which you can inexpensively refill locally. Buy one today and start saving money the way you hoped!

Monday, April 20, 2015

Strawberries & Cream Soda Recipe

This delicious strawberries and cream soda syrup recipe combines strawberries, a dash of lemon juice, and vanilla to create a supremely delicious soda. Use whipping cream or half & half (optional) to make it a creamy Italian soda, for a true strawberries and cream soda experience.

Ingredients
1c sugar
1c water
1 tbsp. lemon juice
1 tbsp. pure vanilla extract
1.5c strawberries (stems removed)
2 tbsp. half & half OR 1 tsp. heavy whipping cream (optional)

Syrup preparation
  1. Blend strawberries with lemon juice in blender
  2. Put sugar & 1/4c water in medium saucepan
  3. Stir mixture until sugar is dissolved
  4. Heat mixture over medium-high until the sugar is caramelized
  5. Slowly add the water and strawberry-lemon juice puree
  6. Add vanilla extract & remove from heat
  7. Pour into 1 quart mason jar & save for up to two weeks

To make a glass of Strawberries & Cream Soda
  1. Fill a glass 3/4 full with ice
  2. Add 2-3 tbsp. syrup
  3. Fill glass with carbonated water
  4. Gently stir
  5. Top with half and half or cream for a delicious Italian strawberries & cream soda
Did you enjoy our strawberries and cream soda recipe? We’d love to hear from you!