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SodaStream Soda Maker: Worth Gushing About?

YumSugar — Thu, 16 Apr 2009 09:00:12 -0700

I have a confession to make: if I didn't worry about what my friends and family would say to me, I'd probably drink soda all day, every day - I love it that much. So when I got my hands on SodaStream's Soda Maker, a SkyMall-like contraption that claims to "turn tap water into sparkling water in three seconds," I knew I'd be in for some fizzy fun.According to Soda-Club, the company behind the machine, the SodaStream is more convenient (since you make soda instantly at home) than buying soda, less troublesome (no need to lug soda bottles), healthier (no high-fructose corn syrup), economically sensible, and better for the environment. Did the soda maker stand up to its claims? Find out when you read more.

I received a starter kit ($99.99) with a Fountain Jet Home Soda Maker, a 110-liter carbonator, two carbonating bottles, and an assortment of diet soda flavors and sparkling water essences. Following instructions, I assembled the machine, which requires no electricity, in under 10 minutes. To make soda, you fill a carbonating bottle with water, screw it into the machine, press a button four times to create fizz, and pour in some flavoring.

The soda machine is certainly easy to use, less troublesome to transport, and better for the environment. After the initial cost for the machine, a cup of soda will set you back less than $0.10. As far as taste, however, this is no match for store-bought soda.

The pop flavors (which included diet cola, diet grapefruit, diet cranberry-raspberry, and diet root beer) taste artificial with an odd aftertaste, and the bubbles aren't as fine or long-lasting as canned or bottled soda. "It's like Italian soda meets Crystal Light," a friend lamented. The flavored fruit essence drops taste even less natural. The soda bottles, despite being BPA-free, aren't dishwasher-safe.

If you're a heavy club soda drinker, or frequently make Italian sodas with traditional syrups, then this machine would actually be a good investment for you. But if you're a regular canned Coke drinker, the soda system's syrupy flavors won't likely be the replacement you're hoping for. Have you ever tried SodaStream? Did you come to the same conclusions about it?

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Come Party With Me: Baby Shower - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 12:30:17 -0700

At a baby shower, it's incredibly important to have a nonalcholic specialty drink. That way the mother-to-be can join in the festivities. For Denise's baby shower brunch, I'll offer guests mimosas and spiced pomegranate sparklers.

The concoction is made with a cinnamon-spiced pomegranate juice and sparkling water. Do take the time to make the garnish - frozen whole cranberries - because it's a lovely addition to the drink.

Also have an assortment of juice, coffee, and tea on hand. To get the refreshing recipe to the sparkling mocktail, read more.

Spiced Pomegranate Sparkler
From Whole Living

Ingredients

1 cup pomegranate juice
1 stick cinnamon
2 cups sparkling mineral water
Frozen whole cranberries

Directions

In a small saucepan, heat pomegranate juice to near boiling, add cinnamon stick, and simmer for 10 minutes. Remove from heat and allow to cool completely, at least 1 hour. Remove cinnamon stick.
Divide the spiced juice between 2 tall glasses; add 1 cup sparkling mineral water to each glass. Stir, add ice, and serve with a garnish of frozen cranberries.

Makes 2 drinks.

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Perrier Gets a Fashionable Makeover From Paul & Joe

partysugar — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:15:31 -0800

Coveted sparkling-water label Perrier has joined forces with the popular French fashion house Paul & Joe to launch a limited-edition collection of bottles and cans. Set to be released this Summer, the three-piece collection is undeniably chic with fun and festive prints. Paul & Joe's designer Sophie Albou is extremely excited about the partnership. She states:

Perrier is well known throughout the world and it's also a French drink, just as Paul & Joe is a French brand. On top of that, Perrier evokes freshness, which is the key word for Paul & Joe - it's the perfect combination!

Known for their innovative ad campaigns and ingenious packaging, Perrier has been around since 1793. There are three designs to choose from: an adventurous safari-inspired motif; a retro gold print; and a classic French lady. I love them all and plan on filling my fridge with these fashionable bottles. How about you? What are your thoughts on the collaboration?

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Do You Drink Sparkling Water?

partysugar — Tue, 08 May 2007 11:13:58 -0700

Come Party With Me: Bold Flavorful Thanksgiving - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 15:00:49 -0800

Jump-start your Thanksgiving with a bold, flavorful cocktail like this appropriately named pear and rum concoction, spice. It's a mixture of dark spiced rum and pear and lime juices. Freshly grated nutmeg is a special garnish that makes it particularly festive.

For the rest of the meal, stock up on sparkling wine, dry rosé, and a light, fruity red like Pinot Noir. Don't forget to set pitchers of water on table as well. Flavor them with orange slices, mint, or cucumber.

To look at the cocktail recipe, read more.

Spice
From Food & Wine

Ingredients

Ice
2 large mint sprigs, torn and bruised
1 1/2 ounces spiced rum
1 ounce pear nectar or juice
3/4 ounce fresh lime juice
3/4 ounce Simple Syrup
Pinch of freshly grated nutmeg
1 thin slice of pear

Directions

Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add all of the ingredients except the pear slice and shake well.
Strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with the pear slice.

Makes 1 drink.

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Happy Hour: Codorníu Sparkling Pinot Noir Rosé

partysugar — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 16:15:23 -0700

My favorite dance scene from the 1963 Ann Margret musical Bye Bye Birdie is entitled "Lot of Livin to Do." In it, she sings of "drinking Champagne as if it were water." But, not just any Champagne - pink Champagne. When I was little, I too, dreamed of drinking pink Champagne as if it were water. Well as luck would have it, sometimes I do!

My current favorite "pink Champagne" is actually a sparkling Cava Pinot Noir Rosé from Spain. It's refreshingly dry with light airy bubbles. It's an elegant, yet playful wine that is both crisp and fruity. The aroma is reminiscent of berries and it has a light body that coats the tongue.

What I love most about this sparking Rosé is its easy drinkability. I've enjoyed it with everything from cheesy rich appetizers to roast chicken to a light green salad. The affordable $15 price is the icing on the cake. Do you sip sparkling Rosé?

Come Party With Me: Fall Lunch - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 24 Sep 2009 12:50:02 -0700

Every aspect of my Fall lunch features a quintessential ingredient that screams Autumn - including the specialty cocktail I'll be serving guests as they arrive.

Instead of making mimosas with fresh-squeezed orange juice, this refreshing recipe employs pear nectar. A splash of lime juice brings a delicious tartness to the concoction.

With the rich, cheesy butternut squash lasagna, I'll pour a dry rosé and sparkling water. To look at the pear mimosa recipe, read more.

Pear Mimosas
From Real Simple

Ingredients

2 bottles Champagne (or ginger ale), chilled
4 cups pear nectar
1 lime, cut into 8 wedges

Directions
For each serving, pour 3/4 cup of Champagne (or ginger ale) into a flute or wineglass and top with 1/2 cup of pear nectar. Squeeze and drop in 1 wedge of lime.

Serves 8.

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Must Read: Sips & Apps

partysugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 08:00:14 -0700

Thanks to shows like Mad Men, it's clear that the ritual of the cocktail hour - a time in the late afternoon where potent drinks are sipped and savory snacks are nibbled - is poised to make a comeback. A recent book, Sips & Apps ($19.95) by Kathy Casey, further promotes the idea by providing happy homemakers with a plethora of modern and classic cocktails, and a handful of incredibly tasty-sounding bar snacks. To learn more about this bartending guide keep reading.

Happy Hour: Peach Donkey

partysugar — Fri, 28 Aug 2009 16:00:34 -0700

Although this cocktail recipe has a weird name, the ingredients are pretty ordinary and the flavor is absolutely sublime. It's similar to the classic bellini - because it combines peach puree with effervescence - but, thanks to the addition of vodka and Canton, it's much more potent. When blended together, the sweetness of the peach offsets the subtle heat of the ginger. The final cocktail is refreshing and easy to drink. For a rustic feel, serve in mason jars! If you can't find ginger beer, simply substitute sparkling water. Sound interesting? Get the recipe when you read more.

Peach Donkey
From Food & Wine Cocktails 09

Ingredients

1 ounce vodka
1/2 ounce ginger liqueur
3 ounces peach puree or nectar
Crushed ice
1 ounce chilled ginger beer
Peach slices, for garnish (optional)

Directions

In a highball glass, combine the vodka, ginger liqueur and peach puree; stir.
Add crushed ice and stir again. Top with the ginger beer and swizzle by spinning a swizzle stick or bar spoon between your hands. Garnish with peach slices.

Makes 1 drink.

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Come Party With Me: Anniversary - Drinks

partysugar — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 12:50:40 -0700

There is one detail of my parents' 1976 wedding that I have always been fascinated by. No, it wasn't the fact that my mom's dress was too big or that my dad was upset when she smashed carrot cake into his face. It is the Champagne fountain that mesmerizes me. A neverending, flowing waterfall of bubbly, fizzy celebratory golden liquid - how wildly glamorous! While I considered renting a fountain for their upcoming anniversary party, I have decided instead to simply serve a Champagne cocktail. As much as I wanted to recreate the moment, the event is a casual barbecue, and a fountain of glistening Champagne just didn't seem to fit. The cocktail is a mixture of sparkling wine, strawberry liqueur, and lemon juice and was originally created in the '70s.

I'll also offer guests a selection of chilled beers, water, and white wine. To check out the recipe, read more.

Lemon Champagne
From Gourmet

Ingredients

1/2 cup sugar cubes
2 lemons, peeled and juiced
1 cup strawberry flavored brandy or fraises des bois liqueur
2 bottles chilled Champagne

Directions

Rub the sugar cubes against the lemon peels until the cubes are yellow.
In a blender or food processor fitted with the steel blade, blend the yellowed sugar with the lemon juice.
In a large pitcher set in ice, combine the mixture with the strawberry-flavored brandy or fraises des bois liqueur. Pour in the Champagne and divide the mixture among 8 Champagne glasses, chilled. Garnish each drink with a strawberry.

Makes 8 drinks.

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