Tuesday, July 21, 2009

Refreshing Mint Soda, Anyone?

During the summers we go through a lot of seltzer water. Sean drinks it plain and I drink it mixed with my favorite elderflower syrup or fruit juices. We aren't big fans of consumables in plastic bottles, so when our regular store brand of seltzer recently had a significant price increase, we decided it was time for a change. Sean's brother Paul had mentioned during a recent visit (thanks again, Paul!) that his family uses a "soda machine" to make their own seltzer so we decided to look into it.

We found the info online and were discussing purchasing one. Then we discovered that our area Kohls stores stocks them, so a little side trip after the CSA delivery this evening and we are now the proud owners of a SodaStream Fountain Jet, and we are LOVING it! It can produce highly carbonated fizzy water from our own rather tasty tap water and added to our own "farm-made" herb and fruit syrups, the possibilities are nearly endless. LOVE IT!


I started with a lovely Mint Lemon soda this evening and am partway through a homemade gingersnap soda. And I haven't even started thinking about the possibilities with "adult " beverages. Oh my!

5 comments:

girlwithasword said...

WHAT? Kohls has the soda streams? I am so there. I have wanted one of these for AGES!! WANT WANT WANT!!

and your mint syrup? to. die. for.

:)

BlueGate said...

Yep, we used the Kohls on university. $99 plus tax gets you the "machine", 2 water bottles, 1 CO2 canister (makes 130 liters of fizzy water), 1 box of 12 sample soda flavors (whatever) and one set of three sparkling water flavors.
LOVE it!

Glad you're enjoying the mint syrup : )

sugarcreekfarm said...

Do you have a recipe for the mint syrup? I've got lots of mint growing...well, had. Matt mistook it for a weed and whacked it down yesterday! But it will be back before long, I'm sure.

BlueGate said...

For the herb syrups we use equal parts sugar and water for a light syrup, or 2 to 1 sugar to water. Add a bunch of herbs, and bring to a boil. Remove from heat and allow to steep for 30 minutes. Remove herbs and bottle. Can store in the fridge for several weeks, freeze for longer storage or can in a water bath canner.

sugarcreekfarm said...

Thank you, I'll give it a try!!