The Artisan Soda Workshop: 75 Homemade Recipes from Fountain Classics to Rhubarb Basil, Sea Salt Lime, Cold-Brew Coffee and Muc

I bought a SodaStream and soon started wondering whether I could make my own syrup. I quickly discovered that I was not alone and that there were several very good books out there to help me get going.This is actually a review of three books about making your own soda. I got all three books out of the trusty Baltimore County Public Library and had a wonderful time experimenting.The Artisan Soda Workshop: 75 Homemade Recipes by Andrea LynnThis is the best book for those looking for recipes for syrups to put into their SodaStream bottles for two reasons: the syrups are pretty good and the concentration is right. They recipes are typically 1.5 to 2 tablespoons per 8-10oz glass, so you will need ½ cup of syrup at the very most to work with the SodaStream 1 liter bottle - which is just perfect. Neither of the other books create syrups that have the right concentration. Indeed, this book is design for SodaStream and the author lists SodaStream as one of the essentials. The author is not affiliated with SodaStream. The book covers all the basic syrups and uses a variety of different sweeteners, picking the one that she most feels complements the recipes. As others have noted, this book is small, but that is just fine. When you only have a few ingredients on a page combined with some pretty basic instructions, you don't need to kill the trees. Two minor issues with the book: no index and no resources section. This book does not contain any information on fermentation for those interested in self-fizzing sodas.Homemade Sodas: 200 Recipes by Andrew SchlossThis the best general book on making sodas, but not the best in any particular category, although it is the only one with a recipe section for using sodas in regular cooking. You can make syrups and learn about using fermentation, and there are recipes, including the famous seltzer matzo balls. Nice index and helpful section on resources. There is also a comprehensive introduction to soda making and good information on sweeteners. For those using a SodaStream, the concentration will not work with your SodaStream bottle, but, of course, you can just put syrup into a glass and add seltzer. Unfortunately, there are some clunker recipes, and I still have nightmares about the Date + Balsamic Vinegar experience.If you are only looking for SodaStream, go for the Artisan Soda Workshop; if you are only interested in fermentation, you might want to look at True Brews: How to Craft Fermented Cider, Beer, Wine, Sake, Soda, Mead, Kefir, and Kombucha at Home by Emma Christensen; if you are looking for the best soda syrups available, then head for the next book, by Anton Nocito.Make Your Own Soda by Anton NocitoThis book is in a different league to the others. This chap is the soda-maker royal to Martha Stewart! This is the put ice in a tall glass, add 3 tablespoons of syrup (plus a tablespoon of lemon juice or a dash of this or that - depending on the recipe), add seltzer, kick off the shoes and relax book. Wonderful index and resources. Here is an example of why this book is in a different league: The cream soda in the Lynn and Schloss books consists of just vanilla beans, water, and sugar. In the Nocito book, that basic recipe is called vanilla soda. Nocito's cream soda includes boiling sugar in lemon water to caramelization before adding more lemon water, the vanilla beans, and a dash of salt.Wow! What a difference!Just a quick warning before you run off to try to make your own syrups: Cola is very, very complex, and you will not be able to reproduce Coke. Root beers are also very complex, with lots of ingredients. With such complex syrups, the effort may be more than it is worth. If you are going for cream/vanilla soda or ginger ale (basically, sliced ginger, water, sugar, plus some ground ginger for extra oomph), then you will be fine - just remember to get the best ingredients.Enjoy your soda experience!

My wife bought this so we could get my soda fix without all the sugar and sodium in regular soda and the soda stream syrups. The recipes were relatively easy and there is a lot of variety in flavors. Most of the ingredients are easily attainable. The only recipes we had trouble finding the ingredients for were root beer and golden cola. It just took a little extra leg work and a trip outside of the standard grocery store. Other then that, we had everything else on hand.Great book for those looking to get creative with beverages. Works great for alcoholic drinks, too.

Okay - the book is SMALL (fits in one hand). Saying that it is a cute book, with interesting recipes. I have tried a few of the recipes, which came out great. However, the process for every recipe is the same (making the book even shorter). The photos are well done, and the layout is nice. Though I was expecting much more information. Would I buy the book again? Yes. Compared to the other soda making books, it is the best. Just don't expect too much more than what you can find online. If nothing else, the book does cover how easy making your own soda really is.I would have liked more suggestions on how to store, more than the 7-14 days in the fridge.

Get away from the usual soda pop and treat yourself, family, and friends to delicious, healthful, simple-to-make, thirst quenchers.

I was not expecting a "soda stream" recipe book.If you have a way to carbonate water at home then the book would great for you. If you want to make everything from 'scratch' and use the fermentation carbonation method, which is what I was looking for, then this is not for you.So, as a 'soda stream' recipe book I would say this is about 4.5 to 5 stars. If you're looking for the old fashioned way then this is a 1 star. I gave it a 3 start review to be more balanced. It not a bad book, just not what I was looking for.,

I gave this to my son as a Christmas gift so he can learn to make more healthy sodas and he made two for a party we had and everyone enjoyed the syrups that he made. It was a great sense of pride for him. I like the vast variety of syrups and ways to make drinking soda fun.

Bought the sodastream as a christmas gift but like you have read 1000 times, or discovered first hand, the flavors are lacking... Besides, if you invested the money and time into a do it yourself home fountain you are either being cost conscious or the creative side had a part in what you could do with your own fizzy bubbles.Well this book was an awesome start. She utilizes a soda stream so she gets it already.... Then moves to cocktails.. A Great start to taking my sodastream to the next level!

I didn't want to use the pre packaged syrups for the Soda Stream.Why choose a healthy alternative to sodas if you are not using healthier ingredients.The first recipe I tried was the pineapple basil (hold the sugar). Basil from the garden and pineapple juice from the pineapple tidbit can. It was tasty. One of my favorites.We don't use sugar, and there are many recipes that are still great when you hold the sugar.It's a good book to have in the reference library at home.

If you have never made your own fizzy drinks - do it! Buy a soda stream and instead of sticking with the pre-prescribed syrups, make your own... it's easier than you think.

like an artisan

it came very quickly. in great shape. this book was exactly what i was looking for. you get some history on some of the sodas and the sodas are really good.