Madeleine Hull
SodaStream offers a variety of diet tonic syrup options, including the Classics Diet Tonic Drink Mix, which makes about 24 12-ounce servings (9 litres) of flavoured sparkling water. The Classic Diet Tonic has zero calories and zero sugar, with a more traditional tonic flavour than most modern tonic syrups. For those who prefer to make their own syrup, a simple recipe involves mixing one part syrup to six parts sparkling water, with the option to taste-test and adjust accordingly. Cinchona bark, the hardest ingredient to source, can be purchased online. Additionally, SodaStream users can explore various tonic syrups available in the market, such as Bootblack Classic Citrus Tonic Cocktail Syrup and Bradley's Kina Tonic, or opt for local mixes and syrups from bars or grocery stores.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Ingredients | Water, Acid (Citric acid), Natural Flavouring, Acidity Regulator (Sodium Citrate - E331), Sweeteners (steviol glycoside, sucralose), preservative (potassium sorbate), Flavouring (quinine) |
| Taste | Bitter, clean and bracing, with a faint apple note |
| Sugar Content | Zero sugar |
| Calories | Zero calories |
| Mix Ratio | Ideally 1 part syrup to 6 parts sparkling water |
| Yield | 1 bottle of mixture makes up to 9 litres of flavoured sparkling water |
| Syrup Options | SodaStream Diet Tonic Syrup, Bootblack Classic Citrus Tonic Cocktail Syrup, Bradley's Kina Tonic, Tomr's Tonic, Jack Rudy Syrup, Rose City, Indian Tonic Syrup |
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What You'll Learn
Buying tonic syrup
There are a variety of tonic syrups available for purchase to use with your SodaStream. SodaStream itself offers a Classics Diet Tonic Drink Mix, which makes about 24 12oz servings (9L) when prepared according to instructions. This syrup has zero sugar and zero calories.
There are also other brands of tonic syrup that can be purchased and used with a SodaStream. Some options include:
- Bootblack Classic Citrus Tonic Cocktail Syrup (good with citrus-forward gins)
- Bradley's Kina Tonic (good with spice-forward gins)
- Tomr’s Tonic (a quinine syrup that you add to seltzer water to make a tonic)
- Jack Rudy syrup
- Rose City syrup
- Indian Tonic Syrup (an organic, ultra-dry, bittersweet syrup with natural quinine sourced from cinchona bark)
When purchasing a tonic syrup, it is important to consider the flavour profile that you are looking for. For example, some syrups may have more pronounced apple notes, while others may be more bitter or sweet. It is also worth noting that some syrups may be thicker and not spread as easily as others, which can affect the final drink's viscosity. Additionally, some syrups use artificial preservatives, while others use only organic ingredients, so it is important to check the ingredient list if you have any preferences or dietary restrictions.
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Making your own syrup
Firstly, you will need to source your ingredients. One of the key ingredients in tonic syrup is quinine, which can be sourced naturally from cinchona bark. This ingredient can be purchased online and will last a long time as only a small amount is needed. Other ingredients you may wish to include are natural flavourings such as burnt bergamot peel extract, botanical extracts, and citrus or spice notes. You can also add sugar or a sugar substitute, such as monk fruit juice or brown rice syrup, to sweeten the syrup.
Once you have your ingredients, you will need to mix them together. The exact measurements will depend on your personal taste, but a good starting point is a ratio of 1 part syrup to 6 parts sparkling water. It is important to taste the mixture as you go to ensure it is to your liking.
After mixing, it is important to store your syrup properly. If you have used all-natural ingredients, your syrup should be refrigerated to maintain freshness and prevent spoilage.
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Carbonating the water
Firstly, prepare your machine by ensuring it is clean and set up correctly. Fill the carbonating bottle with cold water, as this will help the carbonation process. The water should be chilled, ideally at a temperature of around 4-5 degrees Celsius. Chilled water can hold more carbon dioxide, resulting in fizzier tonic water.
Next, you will need to carbonate the water using your Sodastream machine. Secure the bottle tightly into the machine, ensuring a tight seal. Follow the machine's instructions to inject carbon dioxide (CO2) into the water. You may need to press the carbonation button several times, depending on how fizzy you prefer your tonic water. A good rule of thumb is to press the button until the water volume has increased by about 25%.
Once carbonated, you can release the bottle from the machine. Open the bottle slowly to release some of the pressure and prevent overflow. Take a small taste of the carbonated water to check the fizziness. If it is not fizzy enough, you can always add more carbonation. Simply secure the bottle back into the machine and repeat the carbonation process.
After achieving the desired level of carbonation, you can add the tonic syrup. The amount of syrup will depend on your taste preferences. A common ratio is 1 part syrup to 6 parts carbonated water, but you can adjust this to your liking. Stir the syrup well to ensure it is thoroughly mixed with the carbonated water.
Finally, your diet tonic water is ready to be served or stored. If storing, keep it refrigerated to maintain freshness and fizziness. You can also add extra flavours or essences to your tonic water before serving, such as citrus or spice notes, to create a unique taste profile.
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Adding the syrup
When adding the syrup, it is recommended to use a ratio of 1 part syrup to 6 parts sparkling water. This ratio can be adjusted to match your taste preferences. If you are making a 1-litre bottle, fill the syrup to the start of the bottle neck after carbonating.
For Sodastream's Classic Diet Tonic syrup, simply carbonate your water using the Sodastream machine and then add the syrup afterward. You can add as much or as little syrup as you prefer.
Some people have also recommended using local mixes or syrups from bars with house tonics. You can also make your own syrup at home, with the hardest ingredient to source being cinchona bark, which can be found on Amazon.
If you are using a syrup with your Sodastream machine, it is important to note that you may need to stir the mixture after adding the syrup to ensure it is evenly distributed. Some syrups, like the Sodastream Tonic syrup, are thick and do not spread out easily.
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Stirring and tasting
When making diet tonic water concentrate for SodaStream, the stirring and tasting process is crucial to achieving the perfect flavour. Here's a step-by-step guide:
Stirring:
- Start by carbonating your water using the SodaStream machine. This will create the sparkling water base for your tonic water.
- Add the desired amount of diet tonic syrup to the carbonated water. The ratio of syrup to water may vary depending on your taste preferences and the specific syrup you are using. A common ratio is 1 part syrup to 6 parts sparkling water, but you can adjust this to your liking.
- Use a long-handled spoon to gently stir the syrup into the sparkling water. Stirring helps to ensure that the syrup is evenly distributed throughout the water, creating a consistent flavour.
- Stir slowly and carefully to avoid excessive foaming or carbonation loss. You don't want to stir too vigorously, as this may cause your beverage to fall flat.
Tasting:
- After stirring, take a small sip of your tonic water to assess the flavour. This is an important step as it allows you to make any necessary adjustments.
- Evaluate the balance of bitterness and sweetness. Tonic water typically has a bitter taste due to the presence of quinine, but the level of bitterness can vary between different syrups and brands. Adjust by adding a small amount of additional syrup or sweetener if needed.
- Consider adding a twist of citrus juice or a slice of citrus fruit to enhance the flavour. Some popular options include lime, lemon, or grapefruit, which can add a refreshing touch to your tonic water.
- If you find the apple notes too strong, as some SodaStream users have noted, you can experiment with different brands of syrup or try adding a few drops of bitters to balance the flavour.
- Finally, adjust the carbonation level if needed. You can add more carbonation using your SodaStream machine to create a more effervescent beverage.
Remember, the key to successful stirring and tasting is to personalise the flavour to your preferences. Don't be afraid to experiment with different ratios of syrup to water and explore various syrup brands and flavours until you find the one that suits your taste.
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Frequently asked questions
SodaStream's own Classics Diet Tonic syrup is a good option, with one bottle making up to 9 litres of flavoured sparkling water. Other options include Bootblack Classic Citrus Tonic Cocktail Syrup, Bradley's Kina Tonic, Tomr’s Tonic, and Indian Tonic Syrup.
Ideally, use a 1 part syrup to 6 parts sparkling water ratio. However, you can adjust this according to your taste preferences.
You can buy SodaStream's diet tonic syrup online from Amazon. You can also find it at Whole Foods and other grocery stores.
To make your own diet tonic syrup, you will need to find a recipe online or create your own. You can find the necessary ingredients, like cinchona bark, on Amazon.
