The SodaStream has revolutionized home beverage creation, particularly for seltzer enthusiasts. Beyond seltzer, SodaStream offers a variety of flavorings, including a diet tonic option. This article delves into a comprehensive review of the SodaStream Diet Tonic, examining its ingredients, taste, cost-effectiveness, and user experiences.
Unpacking the SodaStream Tonic Syrup
The SodaStream Tonic syrup stands out due to its unique ingredient composition. Unlike many tonic syrups, it contains fructose and apple juice as sweeteners, while omitting other herbs and spices. The syrup has a thick, almost gooey consistency and an amber lager color. Its aroma carries notes of citrus and quinine. Its powerful sweetness is immediately apparent, reminiscent of honey but even sweeter, accompanied by an edgy bitterness.
Taste and Mixing Experience
When mixed with seltzer, the SodaStream Tonic requires stirring due to its thickness, which prevents it from dispersing as easily as other syrups. Once properly mixed, the resulting tonic flavor is surprisingly traditional. However, the presence of apple juice is noticeable. When paired with gin, the apple notes become more subtle, allowing the bitterness to shine through, resulting in a decent gin and tonic. The primary criticism is its excessive sweetness.
Kegging with SodaStream Diet Tonic: An Experiment
Some users have experimented with using SodaStream diet tonic flavor bottles to create larger batches of tonic water for kegging. A single bottle of SodaStream flavor makes 9 liters. The idea is to mix two bottles with 18 liters of water directly in a keg, then carbonate. One user, who previously used Still Spirits Tonic Water Mix for kegging, decided to try SodaStream.
The Still Spirits mix included three sachets: quinine/flavoring, sweetener, and preservative. The process involved dissolving the sachets in a half-full keg of water, filling the keg, shaking to mix, and carbonating with 30 PSI CO2 for a few days, then reducing to 10 PSI for serving.
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User Experiences and Comparisons
One user shared their experience of adding a bottle of SodaStream tonic mix to 9L of water and carbonating at 15 PSI for a week. They found the flavor not as good as the Still Spirits mix, but comparable to store-bought diet tonic water. The cost was about $0.50 per liter, significantly cheaper than name-brand ($2/liter) or store-brand ($0.80/liter) options.
Carbonation Levels
When kegging, maintaining the right carbonation level is crucial. While 10 PSI at 36F is suitable for many beers, tonic water typically requires higher carbonation to avoid becoming flat.
Verified Purchase Reviews
Verified purchasers have generally positive feedback on the SodaStream Diet Tonic:
- Great for mixed drinks: Allows users to adjust the mixer to their taste and saves money compared to buying retail tonic.
- Environmentally friendly: Making diet tonic with SodaStream is considered better for the environment.
- Great taste: Many users find the tonic to taste great, particularly with gin.
- Better than bottled: Some reviewers prefer it over store-bought bottled tonic water.
- Good value: The flavor, price, and delivery are considered a great deal.
- Best tasting tonic water: One user found it to be the best tasting tonic water, even better than name brands, recommending one capful of flavoring for a small bottle and two for a large bottle.
Potential Drawbacks
Despite the positive reviews, some users have noted that the product can be hard to find.
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