The Sodamaker

One of the tools that I have wanted to own for two years was a sodamaker.

For those not familiar with this device, the sodamaker basically adds carbonation to most liquids. I discovered sodamakers during my time as a volunteer for Looney Labs. Andy and Kristen and Alison Looney ran Looney Labs (which is a gaming company known for Fluxx) and every summer they would throw their Big Experiment during the Origins Gaming Fair in Columbus, OH. This event was a chance for all fans of their game to come and play with other fans and win medals during their tournaments.

The volunteers (Mad Lab Rabbit) formed this little community that came together every June. I always joked it was the family reunion I never had with people that I actually liked. We would enjoy freshly baked bread and homemade jams during our break. It was a fantastic event that I look forward every year. For the last two years, a few of the Mad Lab Rabbits would bring their SodaStream. SodaStreams are long plastic devices that would hold a one-liter plastic bottle and a charger of carbon dioxide. A person would press down on a switch on top of the SodaStream, and it would add carbonation to the water or whatever liquid was in the bottle. There were also the flavor bottles that a person could add on the carbonated water to create Cherry Coke or Squirt from the machine.

I thought that was amazing.

A sodamaker would allow me to experiment with sun teas, mixed drinks, and other non-traditional drinks. I know that I drink way too many soft drinks and need to cut back. Trying the fruit flavor water kits would help me cut back on the caffeine, sugars, and calories. Plus, it would break the cycle of consistently drinking Mountain Dew every day.

We finally got one last night.

One of the major selling points of the one we got was the ability to control the fizziness of our drinks. I’m more a lighter fizzy while Brandy likes more fizziness in her bottles.