Soda for Kids?

via Soda Club

via Soda Club

Why not? I’m not talking about the cheap sodas full of artificial ingredients. Nor am I suggesting buying your tots the expensive all-natural Italian sodas. Though not as easy as popping open a can, you can easily make all-natural soda simply by mixing club soda with natural syrups. It’s like fizzy watered down juice!

That is what we did at home until I discovered an easy way to make seltzer using the soda machine from Soda Club. (Credit to SFHandyman who posted a comment on my Instructable on lotion-making. Check out his Instructable on making soft drinks for other useful tips). Here’s what I like about the soda maker:
Soda Club USA

  • You can have club soda anytime. Just fill the bottle with your drinking water and carbonate. No batteries, no electricity.
  • It is cheaper than buying bottles of club soda.
  • It is easier on the environment.
    • Not as many bottles to recycle. Soda Club’s plastic bottles are BPA-free, will last several years, and are recyclable.
    • Soda Club collects your empty carbonators when you order a gas refill. No disposable chargers here!
    • You are contributing less to pollution. Your seltzer doesn’t have to travel at all! Considering how much water weighs, the impact of transporting high water content products quickly adds up.

Soda Club USA
As much as I rave about their soda machine, I can’t say the same for the flavorings. Here’s what I use instead:

  • Syrups made with real sugar, like the Monin brands.
  • Juice concentrates (in the freezer section).
  • My own sugar syrup: One part water, 2 parts sugar, by volume. Heat on low until dissolved. I store it in the refrigerator and add it to fresh squeezed citrus fruits and water or soda.

And here’s a great holiday treat for the kids that you can feel good about: sparkling apple cider! Mix soda with 100% apple juice concentrate.

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