Friday, December 4, 2009

SodaStream {Review & Giveaway} Fountain Jet Soda Maker

{This giveaway is now closed. Thanks to those who entered!}

Although I no longer live there, I was born and raised in good old Minnesota. The land of 10,000 usually-frozen lakes, a game called Duck, Duck, Gray Duck (much cooler than your boring Goose) and tasty pop. Not "soda," not "soda pop," just "pop." I have since been converted to "soda" but there was quite a transition period. As for the Goose, I don't know if I'll ever be able to give up my Gray Duck.

There's something about soda that it just hits the spot sometimes. The tasty flavors, the yummy bubbles, you just can't go wrong. However, the idea of spending a large amount of money on a big case of soda or to have a 2-liter go flat before it gets finished... well, that's just old-fashioned these days. As the only ingredients in soda are just water, fizz and flavor, there should be an easier way.

In fact, there is. It's SodaStream and it is delivered right to your front door.


Using one of SodaStream's home drink makers, it's easy to see for yourself just how simple creating soda can be. By adding carbon dioxide to ordinary tap water, you've achieved the fizz and all that's left? The flavor. Choose any of SodaStream's concentrated syrups, add just the right amount for your taste buds, and the perfect glass of soda awaits.


As there are no batteries, electricity or plumbing required with SodaStream, it was easy to bring along with us to my in-law's house to try our Fountain Jet Starter Kit out for the first time. Have a boat or an RV? What an easy thing to bring aboard to save you from having to lug a ton of soda with you, not to mention you won't have to find as much space to store both the full and empty containers.

I assumed the initial set-up would be complicated, but in fact all that was required was screwing the bottle of CO2 into the back and filling one of the carbonating bottles with cold water. After sliding the water into the slot on the front and attaching it tightly, we were ready to go. Simply press the button on the top of the soda maker to add the carbonation and listen for the loud buzz to let you know it's working (and to make your mother-in-law jump and cause everyone to laugh).

It's up to you how much fizz to add to your soda, as there really is no "right" amount. After one buzz, your soda will be lightly carbonated (recommended for fruit flavors) and after five buzzes it will be strongly carbonated (recommended for colas and other dark syrups).

From there, remove the carbonated water and add the flavoring of your choice. (Note: Be sure to notice that the directions state to tilt the bottle and pour the syrup in slowly, so you don't end up with a small fizzy puddle on the table due to your husband's eagerness in creating your orange soda. Just a thought.) Screw on the cap and gently move the bottle to mix and your soda is complete.

As well as controlling the level of carbonation, you are also able to determine the flavor of your soda when adding the syrup. If you have a sweet tooth, add a little more. If you like your drinks less sweet, don't add as much. If you aren't really a soda fan at all, try making plain seltzer or flavor it with SodaStream's MyWater Flavor Essence for a sparkling drink. Another option is to add your own fresh lemon, lime, orange, berries or juice to your carbonated water for a healthy and refreshing treat. Yum!

In just a few quick steps, we had homemade soda. We tried out the orange and the lemon lime first and were surprised at how similar these taste to store-bought soda. I am definitely a fan of how quick and convenient it is to use a SodaStream machine, as well as the positive environmental impact it makes. Instead of the constant flow of bottles and cans, the reusable BPA-free bottles and concentrated syrups are all that are necessary on a regular basis (aside from keeping this stylish and modern machine handy).

When given an option Big Sister E chooses to mainly drink water and actually would pick it over juice or soda. As she gets older, however, I love the idea of being able to control just how much sugar are in her drinks and the SodaStream will make that a breeze. Plus, there is no high-fructose corn syrup in the regular SodaMix flavors and no aspartame in the diet flavors. Who needs those?

The Fountain Jet Soda Starter Kit sells on SodaStream's website for around $100, making it a pretty terrific gift for any soda or seltzer-lover on your holiday list, as well as anyone who loves to entertain. After that initial investment, bottles of concentrated SodaMix (which contain enough syrup to make around 12 liters/33 cans of soda) cost only $4.99 or $5.99, depending on the flavor. Think it sounds like a convenient, money-saving, eco-friendly, tasty thing you would like to try? Thanks to the generosity of SodaStream...

One lucky person will win a Fountain Jet Soda Starter Kit* of their own!


*The Fountain Jet Soda Starter Kit (ARV $100) includes the winner's choice of black/silver, white or red/silver Fountain Jet, 1 60 liter bottle of CO2, 2 reusable carbonating bottles and choice of 2 SodaMix flavors.

To enter to win your own Fountain Jet from SodaStream: Visit SodaStream and tell me TWO of their tasty flavors that you would like to try. Please do me the favor of leaving an email address or making absolutely sure it is visible in your profile. I have to have a way to contact the winner.

Extra Entries (available after the mandatory entry above is completed; please leave a separate comment for each entry in order for them to be counted. For example, if you subscribe, leave one comment saying "I subscribe #1" and a separate comment saying "I subscribe #2")

1 Extra Entry (per method) if you follow SodaStream on Twitter or sign up for their mailing list.
1 Extra Entry (per giveaway entered) - Enter any (or all) of the giveaways running on Thanks, Mail Carrier for the duration of this giveaway. See the list on the top of my right sidebar - there are some really great ones going on right now and coming up!
1 Extra Entry if you follow me on Twitter and tweet about this giveaway by copying and pasting the tweet below and leaving me the link. Tweet daily for an extra entry every day!

SodaStream Fountain Jet giveaway (ARV $100) @thxmailcarrier from @sodastreamusa! Soda-lovers rejoice! http://bit.ly/6AvDxM #win #giveaway

2 Extra Entries per follow method (leave 2 separate comments for each type) if you follow me with Google Friend Connect (see sidebar), subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email.
3 Extra Entries (leave 3 separate comments) if you put my cute button up on your blog. Please leave an address where it can be found.
3 Extra Entries (leave 3 separate comments) if you blog about this giveaway linking back to Thanks, Mail Carrier and SodaStream. Please leave an address where it can be found.
Giveaway will end on December 18th at 11:59pm CST. The winner will be chosen by random.org and announced here as well as emailed. The winner will have 48 hours to contact me or respond to notification or a new winner will be chosen. Giveaway open to continental U.S. residents only.

A big thank you to SodaStream for providing me with the Fountain Jet Soda Starter Kit (including 9 flavors of syrup and a pack of MyWater Flavor Essence) as well as 1 Kit for a lucky giveaway winner. What a fantastic invention! The opinions shared are my own and if you really need to see more, click here to see how I roll.

667 comments:

«Oldest   ‹Older   1 – 200 of 667   Newer›   Newest»
Amy said... 1

I want to try orange and grape! amythomas at gmail dot com

Amy said... 2

Following Sodastream on twitter

Amy said... 3

Entered WeeSqueak

Amy said... 4

Entered Buddytop hat

Amy said... 5

Following on google friend connect #1

Amy said... 6

following on google friend connect #2

annies home said... 7

lemon lime and diet cola

Anonymous said... 8

We are Cola and Root Beer lovers in this house
iheartsweeping@aol.com

Anonymous said... 9

I follow SodaStream on Twitter (eyzofblu63) and signed up for their mailing list. (iheartsweeping@aol.com)

Anonymous said... 10

I follow you on twitter (@eyzofblu63) and tweeted http://twitter.com/eyzofblu63/status/6342153352

Anonymous said... 11

I follow you with Google Friend Connect (Nadine Laarsen), subscribe to my RSS feed or subscribe to Thanks, Mail Carrier by email.(iheartsweeping@aol.com)

Unknown said... 12

would love to try cream soda and diet cola. amypugmire@live.com

Unknown said... 13

I follow sodastream on twitter. 1amypugmire. amypugmire@live.com

Unknown said... 14

I follow your blog. 1. amypugmire@live.com

Unknown said... 15

I follow your blog. 2. amypugmire@live.com

Unknown said... 16

email subscriber. 1. amypugmire@live.com

Unknown said... 17

email subscriber. 2. amypugmire@live.com

Unknown said... 18

I have your button. amypugmire@live.com
#1

Unknown said... 19

I have your button. amypugmire@live.com
#2

Unknown said... 20

I have your button. amypugmire@live.com
#3

Unknown said... 21

follow u on twitter and tweeted. amypugmire@live.com
http://twitter.com/1amypugmire/status/6342561936

Heather @ Girl Gone Mom said... 22

Yey you got one! I bet you don't want to part with it now eh? FIL will have to get his own LOL

LV said... 23

I want to try the diet root beer and Energy drink flavors!! I've been coveting one of these for years!!

LV said... 24

I follow with google friend connect #1

LV said... 25

I follow you with Google Friend Connect #2

LV said... 26

I follow SodaStream on Twitter

LV said... 27

I signed up for the SodaStream mailing list.

LV said... 28

I subscribe to your RSS feed #1

LV said... 29

I subscribe to your RSS feed #2

Daniel M said... 30

cranberry raspberry & cream soda - regnod(at)yahoo(d0t)com

peg42 said... 31

I would really love to try the Diet Root Beer and the Diet Orange flavors. I'd love to win this. We go through so much soda in our house.
Thanks so much and Happy Holidays.

peg42 said... 32

I follow Soda Stream on twitter (peg42)

peg42 said... 33

I'm signed up on their email list

peg42 said... 34

I'm a google friend
Entry 1

peg42 said... 35

I'm a google friend
Entry 2

peg42 said... 36

I'm a subscriber
Entry 1

peg42 said... 37

I'm a subscriber
Entry 2

Missybeez said... 38

I Would Try Grape and Lemon Iced Tea!


honeybeez80@yahoo.com

Missybeez said... 39

follow SodaStream on twitter as Missybeez


honeybeez80@yahoo.com

Toby said... 40

I would try diet cream (my favorite flavor) and diet pink grapefruit. Great prize!

Missybeez said... 41

follow on google connect

honeybeez80@yahoo.com

Anonymous said... 42

I would try diet cola and lemon iced tea. Nice contest.
elyaklang@hotmail.com

Missybeez said... 43

follow on google connect

honeybeez80@yahoo.com

Courtney B said... 44

i like diet grapefruit and orange

vanitizebaby@yahoo.com

Courtney B said... 45

cute button scrolling!

http://meandbella.blogspot.com #1

Courtney B said... 46

following your twitter tweet

http://twitter.com/MeandBells/status/6348242853

cookiert said... 47

I'd like to try Pete's Choice and lemon-lime.

cookiert at yahoo

Melissa said... 48

I would love to try Diet Pete's Choice and Diet Root Beer!

xmeliss182x (at) yahoo (dot) com

Melissa said... 49

I also entered the WeeSqueak giveaway

xmeliss182x (at) yahoo (dot) com

Melissa said... 50

Also entered the CafePress ornament giveaway!

xmeliss182x (at) yahoo (dot) com

Melissa said... 51

Also entered the BuddyTops Hats giveaway.

xmeliss182x (at) yahoo (dot) com

Andrea Kruse said... 52

I would love to try the Cream Soda & MyWater Berry flavor. Yum!
andrea.kruse at gmail dot com

Andrea Kruse said... 53

I am following Soda Stream on twitter (notimeMom)
andrea.kruse at gmail dot com

Andrea Kruse said... 54

I am signed up for Soda Stream's newsletter.
andrea.kruse at gmail dot com

Andrea Kruse said... 55

I follow on twitter (notimeMom) & tweeted
http://twitter.com/notimeMom/status/6352435550
andrea.kruse at gmail dot com

Andrea Kruse said... 56

I entered the Cutest Animal Hat giveaway here
andrea.kruse at gmail dot com

Andrea Kruse said... 57

I follow on Google Friend Connect
andrea.kruse at gmail dot com
entry #1

Andrea Kruse said... 58

I follow on Google Friend Connect
andrea.kruse at gmail dot com
entry #2

Andrea Kruse said... 59

I subscribe by email
andrea.kruse at gmail dot com
entry #1

Andrea Kruse said... 60

I subscribe by email
andrea.kruse at gmail dot com
entry #2

Andrea Kruse said... 61

I subscribe to your RSS feed
andrea.kruse at gmail dot com
entry #1

Andrea Kruse said... 62

I subscribe to your RSS feed
andrea.kruse at gmail dot com
entry #2

A said... 63

grape and ginger ale



jkalstrup@unomaha.edu

A said... 64

following sodastream on twitter (jkalstrup)


jkalstrup@unomaha.edu

A said... 65

tweeted!
(http://twitter.com/jkalstrup)

jkalstrup@unomaha.edu

Dawn said... 66

I would like to try cola and energy.

Dawn said... 67

I follow sodastream on twitter @dawn408

Dawn said... 68

I follow on Google Friend.

#1

Dawn said... 69

I follow on Google Friend

#2

Robert Lamb said... 70

Root beer Cream soda
robswindowcleaning at yahoo

christine said... 71

This is so cool...I would love to try Diet Cranberry Raspberry and Diet Pink Grapefruit...

mamamouse@comcast.net

theconners4 said... 72

I want to try cream soda and orange! Thanks for the great giveaway!

theconners3@yahoo.com

theconners4 said... 73

I follow on google friend connect #1

theconners3@yahoo.com

theconners4 said... 74

I follow on google friend connect #2

theconners3@yahoo.com

vrtish55 said... 75

Grape and Orange would be the two I'd want to try. vickers_73460(at)yahoo(dot)com

vrtish55 said... 76

Goggle friend connect entry 1 Vickie Riddle

vrtish55 said... 77

Google friend connect entry 2 Vickie Riddle

vrtish55 said... 78

Subscriber via email. entry 1

vrtish55 said... 79

Subscriber via email entry 2

Anonymous said... 80

I would like to try the Diet Pete's choice and the diet grapefruit
singermagic1(at)yahoo(dot)com

ANNE S said... 81

Sure would like to try Diet Cola and Diet Pete’s Choice. Thanks.

Anonymous said... 82

I would love to try the cranberry raspberry, or the cream soda!

clctaube @ yahoo.com

Anonymous said... 83

Following Sodastream on Twitter - clctaube @ yahoo.com

clctaube @ yahoo.com

Anonymous said... 84

Follower via GFC #1

clctaube @ yahoo.com

Anonymous said... 85

Follower via GFC #2

clctaube @ yahoo.com

Anonymous said... 86

Subscriber via Google RSS feed #1

clctaube @ yahoo.com

Anonymous said... 87

Email subscriber #2

clctaube @ yahoo.com

Andrea Kruse said... 88

Daily tweet!
http://twitter.com/notimeMom/status/6382749023
andrea.kruse at gmail dot com

Heidi Gail said... 89

The diet pink grapefruit sounds delicious. I would also try the ginger ale.

Linda said... 90

I'd like to try Cream and Lemon Lime

Tegan said... 91

I would like to try cream soda and diet cola.

sharonjo said... 92

How about Pink Grapefruit and Cranberry Raspberry?! The Ginger Ale sounds good too. I haven't had ginger ale in a long time!

Thanks for the chance!

sharonjo said... 93

I follow Sodastream on twitter.
@sharonjo2

sharonjo said... 94

I signed up for Sodastream mailing list.

sharonjo said... 95

I follow you on twitter @sharonjo2

Today's tweet
http://twitter.com/sharonjo2/status/6389079828

sharonjo said... 96

I follow on Google Friend Connect.
sharonjo

sharonjo said... 97

I follow on Google Friend Connect. #2

sharonjo said... 98

I subscribe on Google Reader. #1

sharonjo said... 99

I subscribe on Google Reader. #2

sharonjo said... 100

I'm an email subscriber. #1

sharonjo said... 101

I'm an email subscriber. #2

sharonjo said... 102

I entered the PosePrints Stationary giveaway.

sharonjo said... 103

I entered the Beibi Shoes giveaway.

sharonjo said... 104

I entered the Baby Dipper giveaway.

sharonjo said... 105

I entered the BuddyTops Hats giveaway.

sharonjo said... 106

I entered the CafePress giveaway.

sharonjo said... 107

I entered the Sweet Arts design giveaway.

Veronica said... 108

I would love to try the Cream Soda & Orange. Thanks for a great giveaway :)

Wendi P said... 109

I would really love to try the cream soda and root beer flavors. Thanks so much for the chance!

parodi821 at yahoo dot com

Wendi P said... 110

I follow you on twitter (WendiP) and tweeted:

http://twitter.com/WendiP/status/6393314893

Wendi P said... 111

I follow you on google friend.
thanks for the chance to win this cool soda maker!

Tracey said... 112

I'd like cream soda and ginger ale.
traymona[at]aol.com

Anonymous said... 113

Daily tweet 12/6
http://twitter.com/clctaube/status/6401755133

clctaube @ yahoo.com

clc408 said... 114

I'd li8ke to try Ginger Ale and Cola flavors. Thanks!

sharonjo said... 115

today's tweet
http://twitter.com/sharonjo2/status/6405178940

Unknown said... 116

I'd like to try the Diet cola and the regular cola. (and a lot of the other ones!)

stephhov (at) hot mail (dot) com

Unknown said... 117

I'm following them on Twitter.

stephhov (at) hot mail . com

Unknown said... 118

I'm following them on Twitter.

stephhov (at) hot mail . com

Punked Mom said... 119

I would like to try the root beer and energy drink flavors!

Punked Mom said... 120

following Soda Stream on Twitter (sondrabelle)

Punked Mom said... 121

email subscriber

Punked Mom said... 122

email subscriber

Punked Mom said... 123

follow your blog

Punked Mom said... 124

follow your blog

Andrea Kruse said... 125

Tweet!
http://twitter.com/notimeMom/status/6410981764
andrea.kruse at gmail dot com

sphinx63 said... 126

Root Beer and Ginger Ale. Thanks!

sphinxcw at aol dot com

Wendi P said... 127

12/6 tweet. Thanks again for the chance to win!

http://twitter.com/WendiP/status/6412876614

Unknown said... 128

I like Orange and Pete's Choice

kissyjensen at gmail dot com

Unknown said... 129

RSS subscriber

kissyjensen at gmail dot com

Unknown said... 130

RSS subscriber

kissyjensen at gmail dot com

Unknown said... 131

Follower

kissyjensen at gmail dot com

Unknown said... 132

follower

kissyjensen at gmail dot com

Nikki57 said... 133

Cranberry Raspberry and lemon lime both sound amazing

mandala said... 134

Lemon lime and diet grapefruit would be the first 2 flavors I would try! :)

dkbsharma@yahoo.com

mogrill said... 135

Id like the cream soda and cola. Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net

kanaha said... 136

would like to try the cola and cream soda

kanaha said... 137

follow & tweet
http://twitter.com/kanaha/status/6419453488

kanaha said... 138

follow sodastreamusa on twitter - kanaha

kanaha said... 139

google friend #1

kanaha said... 140

google friend #2

kanaha said... 141

email sub #1

kanaha said... 142

email sub #2

kanaha said... 143

rss sub #1

kanaha said... 144

rss sub #2

kanaha said... 145

have your button #1 - kanaha.wordpress.com

kanaha said... 146

have your button #2 - kanaha.wordpress.com

kanaha said... 147

entered weesqueak giveaway

kanaha said... 148

entered baby dipper

kanaha said... 149

entere buddytops

Mommy 2 Bears said... 150

I would like to try Energy and Diet Pink Grapefruit.

Mommy 2 Bears said... 151

Following with Google Friend. #1

Mommy 2 Bears said... 152

Following with Google Friend. #2

EmmysBoosAndRawrs said... 153

id love to try fountain mist and cola! my email is littleheathen9109 at yahoo dot com

EmmysBoosAndRawrs said... 154

i follow sodastream on twitter as @boosandrawrs

EmmysBoosAndRawrs said... 155

i entered the animal hat giveaway

EmmysBoosAndRawrs said... 156

i follow you via googlefriendconnect

EmmysBoosAndRawrs said... 157

frend connect 2

EmmysBoosAndRawrs said... 158

subscribed to your email udpates

EmmysBoosAndRawrs said... 159

email updates 2

EmmysBoosAndRawrs said... 160

blogged
http://emmysboosandrawrs.blogspot.com/2009/12/recent-giveaways-i-have-entered.html

EmmysBoosAndRawrs said... 161

blog2

EmmysBoosAndRawrs said... 162

blog3

Saph said... 163

Would love to try Cranberry Raspberry and Orange Mango.

Saph said... 164

Following SodaStream on Twitter

Saph said... 165

Following you and tweeted: http://twitter.com/walkwithme/status/6424092225

Heather! said... 166

Oh, yum! Root Beer and Cream Soda are two flavors I'd love to try! This is such a great giveaway, thanks!

h4schaffer at gmail dot com

Heather! said... 167

I follow on Google Connect. #1

h4schaffer at gmail dot com

Heather! said... 168

I follow on Google Connect. #2

h4schaffer at gmail dot com

sharonjo said... 169

Today's tweet
http://twitter.com/sharonjo2/status/6432155061

Anonymous said... 170

Daily tweet 12/7
http://twitter.com/clctaube/status/6432574896

clctaube @ yahoo.com

Wendi P said... 171

12/7 tweet, thanks!!

http://twitter.com/WendiP/status/6436914869

Andrea Kruse said... 172

Daily tweet!
http://twitter.com/notimeMom/status/6438440152
andrea.kruse at gmail dot com

Celeste said... 173

cream soda & root beer :)

contact me at:
celeste@mail4me.com

Celeste said... 174

#1 google friend

contact me at:
celeste@mail4me.com

Celeste said... 175

#2 google friend

contact me at:
celeste@mail4me.com

Kristie said... 176

I would love to try Diet Cream Soda and Diet Cola!

khmorgan_00 [at] yahoo [dot] com

Unknown said... 177

I'd like to try root beer and orange.

Ruth Savard said... 178

I would love to try Grape (my favorite) and Cream Soda (my husband's favorite)!

ruth(dot)savard(at)yahoo(dot)com

Mijal Photography said... 179

I would try the orange and grape!
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Mijal Photography said... 180

follow with google friend #1
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Lo said... 181

Orange and cola!

Mijal Photography said... 182

follow with google friend #2
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Lo said... 183

I follow Sodastream on Twitter (I'm @prizealert)

Lo said... 184

Here's my tweet: http://twitter.com/prizealert/status/6452530889

Mijal Photography said... 185

subscriber to RSS #1
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Mijal Photography said... 186

subscriber to RSS #2
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Mijal Photography said... 187

entered Beibi shoes giveaway
info(at)mijalphotography(dot)com

Lo said... 188

Here's my tweet: http://twitter.com/prizealert/status/6452607746

jlafount said... 189

Diet orange and Diet Root Beer

sharonjo said... 190

Today's tweet
http://twitter.com/sharonjo2/status/6465374946

sharonjo said... 191

I entered the Harlem Globetrotters giveaway.

Anonymous said... 192

Daily tweet 12/8
http://twitter.com/clctaube/status/6466839140

clctaube @ yahoo.com

stepperB said... 193

Root beer and Orange are always favorites.

stepperB said... 194

Subscriber to Google friends #1

stepperB said... 195

Subscriber to Google friends #2

stepperB said... 196

I subscribe via email. #1

stepperB said... 197

I subscribe via email. #2

A Cooking Bookworm said... 198

I want to try the Cola and Cranberry Raspberry! YUMM!

Thanks for the chance!

mybabyblessings[at]gmail[dot]com

Unknown said... 199

I would like to try lemon lime and diet cola

DavidLeavitt at Gmail dot Com

Amy said... 200

following you in email #1

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