DIY seltzer

[wolfie]

Anyone know of a good source (either bricks-and-mortar near Toronto, or failing that, mail order) for flavourings to make seltzer?

One of the local stores had large quantities of flavoured (but unsweetened) seltzer (Be'er Mayim brand), and their black cherry flavour was delicious. A couple problems with it, though:

1) It's a bit pricey, at $1 for a 1 litre bottle. Store-brand soda water is usually $1 for a 2-litre bottle.
2) More serious, it's certified kosher for Passover. While that on its own isn't a problem, it means that it only gets ordered once per year (staff at the store said they wished they could get it year-round). As a result, stocks are running low. Since there's still some left nearly 6 months later, it looks like they did a massive over-order, meaning they're unlikely to order this much again next year.

There's another brand at another store that appears to be year-round, but it tastes awful. Also, a bottled water supplier sells flavoured sparkling water, but their cash-and-carry outlet is only open 9-5 M-F, their stuff is sweetened (one thing I like about the seltzer is it's zero-calorie, zero-carb, and no artificial sweeteners), and at $13 for a case of 24 500ml bottles, it's even more expensive than the seltzer.

I figure that if I can add my own flavouring to soda water, I can make an equivalent product. Checking the extracts section at local grocery stores shows a poor selection - vanilla is common, as are rum and lemon, but no sign of cherry. Where can I get flavourings to make my own seltzer? Thanks.

[Sunshine]

There is a product called soda stream that has flavoring for carbonated beverages that you can make at home...hope this helps!

[AccountingDrone]

Back in the day [early 90s] low carbing was difficult and interesting because stuff simply wasn't available easily. There were interesting places to buy syrups and such online for flavoring waters and making icees. At one time I bought a selection of tiny dropper bottles of fruit flavors from DaVinci, I believe.

mrAru came in and corrected me, it was from NaturesFlavors.com.

[cindybubbles]

The easiest way is to buy club soda and mix in some Crystal Light powder.

[lordlundar]

All you really need is a simple syrup flavoured as you like. A 2:1 ratio of fruit to sugar will work wonders, strain the syrup when it reaches a looser than desired consistency (it will thicken as it cools so you want it runny while warm), then you just put in enough of the syrup into the soda water as you deem fit. Just bear three things in mind:

It's not going to be crystal clear. This is a syrup done from the fruit directly, not an extract. That's going to take a lot more effort and specialized equipment that isn't worth it.

This stuff is STRONG! A very little amount can go a long way. Even more so if you're going for seltzer and not soda. Put a little amount in, taste, and keep going until you reach the desired taste.

It can keep very well and can even be canned, but do not mix until serving. The soda water will break down the syrup and the syrup will accelerate the soda water going flat. You can make a pitcher quite easily and it will last through the night but don't count on long term storage while mixed.

[BookstoreEscapee]

Have you ever tried adding plain juice? I get cherry juice and it is pretty strong stuff on its own; I'm not big on carbonation but I usually mix it with water (usually more water than juice). Not sure where you are but the brand I get is R.W. Knudsen tart cherry juice.

[Seshat]

Bakers, including home bakers like me, use flavour extracts. These are extremely strong: recipes will call for something like three drops or a quarter of a teaspoon for an entire cake or batch of cookieis.

If your grocery store doesn't carry them, a specialist store which caters to home bakers will.

[Deserted]

Another option is to use the recipe for OpenCola or OpenSoda (which are really just two versions of the same thing).

[SongsOfDragons]

There is a product called soda stream that has flavoring for carbonated beverages that you can make at home...hope this helps!

Soda Streeeeaaaammmm

It's a lot bigger in the UK and Europe than in the States. Some pet Yanks who were over this summer couldn't get their heads round it. I think there's a big thing somewhere with loads of syrup recipes but their own are pretty good. Dandelion and Burdock FTW.

[fireheart]

Soda Streeeeaaaammmm

It's a lot bigger in the UK and Europe than in the States. Some pet Yanks who were over this summer couldn't get their heads round it. I think there's a big thing somewhere with loads of syrup recipes but their own are pretty good. Dandelion and Burdock FTW.

OK, is the soda stream actually worth getting? We Aussies also have it down here and I'm seriously debating about getting one...

[dalesys]

... Dandelion and Burdock FTW.

And in England only: Brussels Sprouts!

[BearLeeBadenaugh]

I own a SodaStream and have a Sprizzi drink machine on order because I don't like the soda stream that well. Too much work and waste. My big peeve with the soda stream is having to measure and mix the flavors, you're never consistent, unless you use a syringe or similar. The Sprizzi interested me because they use flavor cartridges and are plumbed into your water supply with a chiller. It actually IS the home soda fountain that Soda Stream was touting itself as.

[SongsOfDragons]

Uh? There's measuring involved now?

Naaaah. Fill the bottle until it's vaguely around the line, fart it and whack in a capful of syrup. Done. You don't need to be precise.

Yes it is wonderfully worth it. Many of the machines need no batteries or mains power, just one of their bottles of gas. I got a huge kit from their website - machine, 3 bottles, 2 gas bottles and 3 bottles of syrup for £85. And I've found the website is the best deal for more syrups - 8 for £20 + 6 shipping. Each country has different flavours available. It's made me cut down on the bottles I buy and the crap pop I drink.

[AccountingDrone]

I got a huge kit from their website - machine, 3 bottles, 2 gas bottles and 3 bottles of syrup for £85. And I've found the website is the best deal for more syrups - 8 for £20 + 6 shipping. Each country has different flavours available.

We also have the soda stream boxed set - we got it when Linens and Things or whichever of those housegoods clones went out of business a few years back. I didn't know there were different flavors by country, maybe we should get a thread going to swap flavors!

[SongsOfDragons]

When I went to the Nethrrlands last summer, well actually we'd gone to Antwerp for the day, and I picked up several flavours they don't sell in the UK. Orange and mango, raspberry and cassis. I'm almost out of the middle one >.< that said I do badger them on their FB a lot and they did recently bring out some new flavours like Elderflower.