I drink it more for the carbonation than the flavor, so I just buy the store brands. They’re cheaper by far.

I’ve also looked into setting up a DIY carbonator (like a Soda Stream but using a CO2 tank and a tubing kit from Amazon), but I haven’t decided if the savings is worth the trouble and cupboard space.

So far I like Bubly (green apple and mango)the best my next choice would be Polar (the vanilla orange is the best) and lastly La Croix not as good as the others.

Spindrift is by far my favorite sparking water on the market right now.

It's the only sparking water that's flavored with real fruit (it's completely free of artificial and "natural" flavors that you see in brands like bubly and LaCroix). It has no artificial sweeteners, no non-nutritive sweeteners (like stevia or monk fruit extract), and no sugar alcohols.

Because they use real fruit juice to flavor it, it's a bit higher in calories and sugar than other sparkling water brands, but not by much. My favorite flavor is Lemon, and it has only 1 calorie and o grams of sugar. Another popular flavor is Raspberry Lime, which is 9 calories and 1 gram of sugar.

To get the best deal, I'd recommend looking them up on Amazon, where they sell 24-packs (selling for $0.89 a can). Otherwise, your next best bet for being cost-effective is Target, where they sell 8-packs (typically retail for $5.99, or $0.75 a can — sometimes they go on sale for a $1 off). Trader Joe's and Whole Foods both sell the 4-packs, but they're the most expensive at $1 a can.

I am totally happy with my Kroger (grocery store brand) sparkling water in cans. It depends on the flavors you like though, since the store brand is more limited. They even have Coke & Dr Pepper flavored sparkling waters that are decent when you want the taste of soda. It’s obviously not as potent as the real deal, but it’s nice when you get used to it.

My favorite is the Ice brand that comes in the long bottles, but that one is more of my “treat.”

I also have a sodastream. It’s kind of a pain to take the cartridges for an exchange since only Target does it in my area, but it’s super good with frozen strawberries or blueberries. I always have those in the freezer for smoothies or because they’d go bad otherwise and it only takes a couple to make the water tasty.

I have a sparkling water kegerator. 5lb co2 with a 2.5 gallon Corny keg. Leaves room for 2 shelves in the mini fridge.

Is the red hose pex?

I have one of those too!! 🤣

https://preview.redd.it/4o7aja61hvue1.jpeg?width=2268&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=02966b4389e2bec227c76326268c238435982345

Headline...

Man's house explodes after home brewing accident

I’m reading that this makes a ton of sparkling water for cheap. I need to invest in this kind of crazy set up

Soda stream plus it promotes peace in the Middle East

I have a drink mate and love it

We have the most basic soda stream that was on clearance at wal mart for about $50. It downs do any flavors, just carbonates water and it came with 2 nice glass bottles. For the price I have no complaints!

Well you sorta need CO2 so you'd need to get one that links into your restaurants CO2 supply if you don't want tank refills.

At that point I'd just get a soda fountain, which does the exact same thing and usually has a spout that shoots carbonated water out.

For the same cost as a Soda Stream Bundle, $150ish will get you a much more robust solution. Jeff Morgenthaler lays it out in this post. A tank of CO₂ should last you years.

All I can say is that this Aarke brand is the BEST. First off, it looks like a statement piece, like a high end appliance, with a finish like a kitchen aid mixer. I got the white color since it goes with everything. There really aren’t any plastic pieces everywhere like the other one’s entire body. To put the gas cylinder in, you just insert it in the hole in the bottom of the unit and screw it in. Super easy. You don’t have to angle it in or something else stupid. The only drawback at all I would say is that the unit isn’t well weighted, not even with the cylinder in. It stands just fine and functions perfectly without having to hold the machine but I just wish there was more of a weighted bottom to be extra sturdy. Finally, the bottle it very chique, not like the other ones at ALL, BUT the other brand of bottles DO FIT PERFECTLY! Pay attention to the expiration dates on the bottle since it could be dangerous otherwise. I would never buy the other one again, ever. The carbonation is even better. Get a few new gas cylinders from the store so you will never run out and you can just exchange the cylinders.

Drinkmate has the added benefit of being able to carbonate liquids other than water.

Make your own home co2 setup! I'm still in the research phase myself buy plan on this being one of my winter projects. I want to make high balls, campari sodas, mojitos, and cut out the $5-10/week La Croix bill.

Was initially going to buy a sodastream but I don't like the idea of being locked into proprietary and expensive co2 tank refills. Also many people observe that you can get more highly concentrated and tasty bubbly with your own tank as compared to a retail countertop product.

I plan on following this guideline.

I have one of those - it's good for the occasional use. Soda stream always seemed so junky in comparison.

You can also buy adapters to connect a large co2 tank to some soda stream machines or to refill sodastream bottles from the larger tank (my current solution)

Have you tried Kombucha to kick soda cravings? That has helped me tremendously.

As for sparkling water, my brand is Adirondack. I have only found it at Aldi or Lidl.

I love using the fruity celestial seasonings teas and making a pitcher of ice tea. Make it hot and then chill it. More flavorful and way cheaper then buying cans of sparkling water

Passionfruit la croix is my go to

It’s something you will get used to, just takes a little time to adjust. A good squeeze of fresh lime juice or lemon juice makes a huge difference. After a few weeks of drinking the seltzer instead of soda you’ll adjust to it.

As much as it's a meme, la croix is the sweetest and is probably the closest to a soda replacement. My personal favorite is Polar Cola, which has the BEST orange sparkling water ever but it's a bit more subtle.

I really like Gerolsteiner. It’s got a high mineral content and you can taste it.

Topo Chico blows them all away. Saratoga water is also great.

Into Bubly Cherry, Grapfruit, and Lime. Wish they sold variety packs

Polar seltzer or nothing

I’ve recently fell in love with Spindrift

Waterloo Blackberry lemonade for me. Shoutout to both the Polar and Waterloo orange vanilla flavors too. All the polar seltzerade ones are great as well. I was also pleasantly surprised by the whole foods 365 black cherry. Good flavor.

Favorite overall flavor Polar Pink Raspberry Seltzerade.

Brand is hard. It is honestly a toss up between Polar and Waterloo. I love Nixie too but only 2 flavors. But what really sold me on Nixie was I had a problem with a pack of cherry limeade I got free. And I emailed them and said hey I dont want anything I got these for free but they were flat straight out of the case. They sent me coupons, a hand written note and Nixie Stickers. It was honestly the best customer service I've ever had with a company.

Nixie Strawberry Hibiscus

polar pink apple and lemon is my current favorite

Whatever is cheapest. Even the cheapest store brand unsweetened sparkling water has doubled in price in the last couple of years.

Water > sparkling water

Kroger brand is good

Topo Chico

Saratoga.

San Pelligrino is the highest end stuff, but it’s really not worth the money. Perrier is just as good and usually cheaper.