For the Dads: SodaStream Genesis

When I first heard about SodaStream, I said “Soda what!? What’s all the hoopla!?” Then I read a review of SodaStream soda makers, and thought, “My dad and husband would love that!”

My dad and husband BOTH love seltzer. A lot! So I had to check it out.

Once I received the Gensis SodaStream, I got hooked! Making flavored seltzers and sodas is easy. You get two bottles with your machine, and it takes about 30 seconds to fizz up some water or soda! And delights your guests too!

The first time my parents came over after we got our SodaStream, I said, “Who wants a seltzer?” I went right to the machine and whipped up a bottle of lemon-lime seltzer water. Boy, was my dad impressed (I think he wanted to take our SodaStream home with him!).

We have seltzer with dinner just about every night now! Even our 15-month-old gets in on the action! When we give him a sip of “Fuzzy Water,” he makes the most hilarious faces, and then BEGS for more!

So how does it work? Easy. You fill the bottle to the max line. Screw it into the SodaStream. Press the button three times, or until you hear a big popping noise that indicates it’s done, and Voila: Seltzer or Soda.

Now, we have had some “explosions.” If you press the button too long or too many times, you’ll over carbonate and the pressure will cause your water to fly everywhere when you unscrew it. I learned this the hard way! Once you figure out the appropriate length/number of presses, you’re good!

Flavor-wise, I love the selzter flavors lemon-lime, raspberry, and mint. So yummy! Sometimes I mix a little cranberry juice in for color and more flavor.

The sodas come in popular flavors – Cola, Root Beer, Orange, and there’s even diet versions of most flavors. They really taste like the originals in every way but one – the regular soda flavorings use artificial sweeteners, and, personally, these have an aftertaste I don’t like. Although I tried the sodas for this review, I’ll be sticking to the seltzer flavors! (which are awesome!).

But GOOD NEWS! … SodaStream has a new line of SodaStream Sparkling Naturals – with no artificial sweeteners – in cool flavors like Black Currant Pear, Apple Mango, Pink Grapefruit and more! Now those, I want to try!

I like the variety of flavors.

The convenience: no more running to the store for beverages for dinner guests.

Less waste: no more bags of bottles to sit around the basement until you have time to recycle them!

I think SodaStream soda makers also make a great Father’s Day Gift idea!!

Buy it: Check out the SodaStream online store to find a variety of soda makers!

Win it: One lucky reader will win a Genesis Soda Stream machine! ARV $110

Disclosure: I was sent a product to facilitate this review. I was not compensated in any other way, and all opinions are 100% my own.