1. Crystal Light
Looking for a cheap alternative to the Sodastream’s flavor mixes? Kraft’s Crystal Light might be just the thing for you. It can add flavor to sparkling water through its multitude of packets that come in different flavors, allowing you to create refreshing and tasty drinks. Crystal Light is a low calorie, sugarless sweetener (5 calories per packet) meaning that you can enjoy your drinks guilt free. Users gave this drink sweetener great reviews on Amazon and other sites thanks to its affordability, lack of calories and taste. While you might dislike certain flavors, there’s so many that are available (Lemonade, Pomegranate, Strawberry, Peach, Orange, Punch) that you’ll surely find one that you love.
If you’re not sure which to get, Amazon has some variety packs that come with multiple flavors and, once you’ve found a delicious flavor you love, you can buy it in bulk. Each packet of Crystal Light can add flavor to up to 2 quarts (roughly 1.9L) of water and the packets pair well with sparkling water to make delicious soda-like drinks. So if you’re looking for a delicious, healthy and affordable alternative to SodaStream mixes, Crystal Light is perfect for you.
2. Stur
Stur is an all-natural, sugar-free, GMO-free water enhancer with 0 calories. It comes in various flavor mixes, mostly tropical-inspired (Fruit Punch, Strawberry Watermelon, Blue & Blackberry, Orange Mango, Pomegranate Cranberry). Based on stevia, a natural sweetener that is up to 150 times sweeter than sugar, Stur comes in small portable bottles that can each make up to 20 cups. Plenty of users praised the Stur on Amazon reviews, as health-conscious consumers love its flavor as well its healthy nature seeing that it is one of the rare all-natural and healthy options for flavoring your drink. Another benefit is the fact that it contains 100% of the daily amount of vitamin C you should be getting. However, it is more expensive than other alternatives.
3. Torani
Torani is an American company with Italian origins that manufactures syrups and sauces. Since Torani is a large company, they have an immense variety of different flavors that are available, ranging from almond to bourbon caramel while passing by Irish Cream. They also have all your regular flavor mixes (strawberry, lemonade, raspberry, etc.). Also, on their website, they have tons of delicious recipes you can choose from to make sodas or other drinks. Most of these recommend 1 oz of syrup for 8 oz of sparkling water and with each bottle retailing at a fairly hefty price, adding Torani to your sparkling water comes out to a higher cost per liter than other alternatives. While they do have some sugar-free variants, most syrups do have sugar. Nonetheless, the amazing taste of the recipes makes Torani syrups more than a worthwhile option once in a while if you want a sublime guilty treat or if you want to seriously impress your guests. Get started with their variety pack on Amazon to begin experimenting with all their different recipes.
4. Mio
Mio is another water enhancer brand owned by Kraft, albeit more modern than Crystal Light. It is sold in small portable bottles and it is a liquid. Their products have no calories and come in many flavor mixes such as (berry pomegranate, strawberry, cherry). Each small bottle can add flavor to 5.6L of water and you can find 4 pack at a decent price on Amazon, which comes out to a relatively high cost per liter. Mio also has caffeinated versions, while other versions have electrolytes, and others with vitamin B. Also, overall, people love the taste so Mio is definitely a good option for those who want a caffeinated version of their drink or something with electrolytes/vitamins. Also, you can easily take the bottle to wherever you go.
5. Kool-Aid
With its famous red mascot, Kool-Aid is another beverage mix made by Kraft. Even though it is marketed towards children, it is still a cheap and tasty way to add flavor to your carbonated water. It comes in a wide variety of flavor mixes and a packet can make 2 quarts (1.9L). Since you can buy a 48 pack for cheap on Amazon, this option comes out to a significantly lower cost per liter than alternatives, making it one of the cheapest alternatives to the SodaStream flavor mixes. It also calorie-free which is great if you don’t want to drink too much sugar or if you want to avoid your child getting too much sugar while still giving him a tasty drink. While most people find it generally tasty, they do agree it tastes kind of artificial. Branding does what branding does, sometimes that’s the only reason why kids love it.
To help them find their favorite flavor, try out the variety pack.
6. Rio Syrup
Rio syrup is an American company that manufactures syrups that can be used for snow cones or to make soda. It comes in several flavor mixes. To make soda with Rio syrups, you must first buy the syrup concentrate. After, mix 4 ounces of concentrate with 5 pounds of sugar and enough water so that the whole mixture measures 1 gallon. After dissolving the sugar, you will be left with 1 gallon of syrup. To make soda, add 2 oz of syrup to 10 oz of sparkling water to make 12 oz of soda. Assuming you are buying your sugar at 60 cents/pound and since a 4 ounce bottle can be bought at a very low price, it comes out to a very low cost per liter, the cheapest among all mentioned alternatives. While this alternative isn’t particularly healthy, most users enjoy the flavors and it is an exceptionable deal considering the price.
7. Orange Juice
The last and simplest way to make great tasting drinks with your sparkling water is to simply mix it with orange juice. Combining the two with a 1:1 ratio (adjustable to your preferences) provides a delicious and healthier version of orange juice that isn’t overly sweet. Also, the added pep of the sparkling water makes it taste amazing. While fresh orange juice isn’t very cheap, mixing it with sparkling water makes it cheaper in general since sparkling water is less expensive.
“Italian soda” is carbonated water and one or more Italian syrups, sometimes with cream added. For syrup, I recommend Monin over Torani. Although French, not Italian, Monin created the syrup industry and they only use natural ingredients, unlike Torani. I order direct from Monin (or through their Amazon store) in enough quantity to get free shipping; I use French Vanilla for my daily cappuccino so I buy that in a four-pack and I’ll also try a couple of new fruit flavors with each order. Last time I tried watermelon; it was so fresh and naturally delicious. They have some really unusual flavors, like Desert Pear or Lavender, plus all the usual flavors. Not every flavor is available at all times. I typically add just enough to taste, so it’s not very expensive at all. They produce a lot less foam than SS when I add the water, which may be due to lack of bad things. Honestly, though, although I prefer Monin’s natural flavors, they don’t produce a “full” soda feeling the way SodaStream does. There’s just something about the way SS mixes, can’t put my finger on it.
TRUE Lemon, Lime and Orange. They have more flavors as well that are sweetened (lemon, lime, and orange are not) they come in packets and can be bought on line. JR
I drop in a teabag. Fruity herbal teas. Of course then have to wait for it to steep.
After they expire, soda stream syrups take on a bitter chemical taste that seems dangerously unhealthy. As an alternative, in addition to Mio several companies make small bottles of liquid concentrates, including Kool-aid, Hawaiian Punch, Crystal Light and Orange Crush. Sometimes I get cravings for grape soda and I am pleased to be able to make Grape Crush at a moment’s notice. Dasani kiwi-strawberry is good too.
Tang, son.
The rio brand cola and ruby red grapefruit tastes good but the ginger ale is weak in flavor.
I stopped buying rio brand because the shipping is expensive..Six 4 oz. bottles is over $15 dollars to ship to California..
I use Mio, but I have to use so much more in fizzy water than normal so it can taste good.