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With the idea that it is a healthier, more environmentally friendly alternative, the Sodastream machine turns tap water – and, if you want, concentrated flavours – into something fizzy to enjoy.

Recently, Sodastream partnered with PepsiCo to bring new flavours to users who enjoy using the product. With this launch of the five new flavours, this is our review.

Is it worth it?

Personally, I had never actually used a Sodastream before. Besides the looming nervousness that I would somehow blow a hole through my roof, I was a little sceptical about how the flavours would taste. Historically, when it comes to flavour concentrates that try and replicate something else, it hasn’t gone well for me.

Setting it up was not as complicated as it might seem at first glance. You take the gas canister, put it in the back of the machine, and you have your tools to create the carbonated water set to go. After that, you take the bottle that comes with the machine, fill it with water, and press the button to fizz it up. The nice new addition of guidelines to see up to where you should fill the bottle with water and flavouring really did me a favour here.

Then came time to try out the flavours. I had four available – Pepsi, Pepsi Max, Mirinda Orange, and 7 Up. I decided to try the Pepsi first (yes, I am a Pepsi woman) and poured the flavour in – watching it swirl with the water and change into a soda I would normally buy at the shop. I took my first sip with a bit of a strained face, half expecting to taste an imitation. To my surprise, I got Pepsi in my fridge that I ‘made’ by myself.

So, is it worth it? If you like fizzy drinks and want the experience of making it yourself, I would say yes. It definitely came as a surprise to me, and if I didn’t destroy my kitchen in the process, you should be fine too.