Many people enjoy sparkling water; it offers an excellent alternative to sugary soda drinks while providing a refreshing fizz and is highly hydrating. Unfortunately, store-bought seltzer or soda cans and bottles can be costly as well as plastic waste-producing; but you don’t have to spend as much on carbonated drinks at home thanks to DIY kits! Plus making homemade carbonated drinks at home saves both money and the environment by eliminating unnecessary additives! Additionally, making beverages at home may even be healthier since avoiding unhealthy ingredients will save added ingredients from being added during manufacture!
Seltzer water, often known by its initials “plain or unflavored”, is one of the most beloved forms of carbonated beverages, produced by mixing flat water with carbon dioxide gas to give it its distinctive fizz. Plain versions contain no additional ingredients; while flavored varieties can include citric acid, fruit juices and even artificial sweeteners for flavoring purposes.
Seltzer water is an ideal hydrator and versatile ingredient in zero-proof cocktails, pairing nicely with fresh sliced fruits or added to fruit smoothies as an enjoyable and healthy treat. Furthermore, you can substitute seltzer for club soda or soda water in any recipe calling for these beverages.
No matter your taste preference for seltzer water, a soda maker makes making your own easy at home. Relatively inexpensive and user-friendly, all that’s necessary to start making bubbly waters at home is carbon dioxide canister, filtered water and soda bottles with tight-fitting lids to start the bubbling process. For optimal results, choose clean bottles that feature tight-fitting lids; otherwise carbon dioxide may escape during bubbling process and you won’t achieve best results.
Once you have a clean bottle, begin by filling it with filtered water, leaving approximately two inches of headspace at the top of the bottle. Next, carefully add dry ice (solid carbon dioxide). Do not handle this item without thermal gloves to avoid burns! The ice will quickly decompose into CO2 gas and make your liquid bubbly; test this by pouring some into a glass!
To add flavor to your seltzer water, simply mix in your chosen amount of natural ingredients now. Be careful not to overdo it though as too much flavor could cause too much weight in your beverage – citrus, mint and ginger are some great choices that could add an extra kick!
Once you’ve added your ingredients, close and enjoy! If you need help using your soda maker, there are numerous online tutorials and videos that can walk you through each step. As soon as your homemade carbonated drinks have finished brewing, you can enjoy them knowing that their environmental impact has been minimized while simultaneously decreasing carbon emissions and footprint.