It was in 1903 that the first SodaStream carbonation maker was invented.
In the 1970s and 1980s, when there were different concentrated syrups available, versions were made that could add concentrates to create carbonated drinks in popular flavors. The company merged with Soda-Club and marketed its product as a way to make healthy drinks for kids.
The SodaStream drink maker consists of a small device that infuses carbon dioxide into water, making it have a taste like soda pop. The system consists of: a) a machine; b) a canister of carbon dioxide; and c) reusable beverage bottles (suitable for pressurizing). The bottle, when filled with water, is screwed on to the machine, and with a push of the button ejects compressed CO2 from a canister into the bottle, making sparkling water (also called seltzer). There are many flavors which can be used to create regular soft drinks by adding a tiny amount to the carbonated bottle of water. When the canister is out of CO2, you return it to the market and purchase a carbon dioxide (CO2) refill.
With so many categories of concentrate, different and unique flavors of soft drinks can be made. In the years when the systems were most popular, many well-known brands were available for SodaStream in the concentrates – such as Fanta, and Sunkist.
MilkStream, is a variation of the SodaStream, and was developed for making milkshakes. By combining ice cream, milk and Crusha syrup in a glass, and utilizing an extended wand into the glass, a frothy, delicious milkshake is made.
The first machines made were rather large, and were sold to the upper classes of London, including to the royal household. There was a range of flavors with odd names, including the famous sarsaparilla introduced in the 1920s. In 1955 the first home carbonation machine was produced.
SodaStream’s super popularity in the UK during the 1970s and 1980s is fueling its current association with nostalgia for that era. “Get busy with the fizzy” was the advertising jingle in 1970s; the slogan was so popular, it was added to the company logo. In 1996 it was dropped after 17 years.
Commercially successful, there was a perception by some that the soft drinks made by these machines were a less satisfying version of their commercial counterparts. One of the noticeable differences was that in addition to slightly different flavors of the produced drink, the bubbles made by SodaStream machines are larger and shorter-lived. Today this has changed, partly because of Aromhuset flavors for carbonated water, and Sodastream now is the leader in sparkling water.
Today, SodaStream is part of Soda-Club; there are various websites where products can be purchased and supplies ordered, and reordered, when needed.
