I know you’re asking about syrups, but before you buy a Sodastream, have you looked into a DIY version? I made one of these a couple years ago. The tank holds way more CO2 than the ones Sodastream has. Not a proprietary tank is nice.
https://www.popsci.com/diy/article/2012-06/how-make-your-own-home-carbonation-system/
Edit: trying to make the link work.
Ah I got a soda stream specifically so I could make soda at home for cheaper. My wife has a terrible addition to Dr. Pepper and I’m hoping to find a cheaper alternative.
But making simple syrup is something we do for Amaretto Sours already, and I’m sure could make a decent seltzer have some better taste.
Let us know how it goes! I actually don't have a soda stream, but my folks do, and this is something I'd like to try. If you don't waste ingredients, it'll be way cheaper than Dr. Pepper. I admit I prefer his cousin, who happens to be a Sgt. (with a somewhat lonely heart...)
I’ve had good luck just finding food flavoring concentrates and adding a few drops to create my own LaCroix-esque drinks. Not the same as homemade CocaCola, but calorie free!
If you ever add enough to make the water taste like real soda how much flavoring do you add? Probably going to purchase from here but want to know where to start with my home mixtures.
I wouldn’t add too much of flavors like this or it ends up tasting weird. You’ll learn to dial it in with experimentation. Each one is slightly different, but as a general rule five drops and swirling to mix is my first attempt.
If you want something to taste like a sugary drink, you’ll want a syrup designed for that. And there I’m afraid I can’t help you, because it isn’t my use case for the SodaStream.
By the way, make SURE to not add flavoring until after you’ve added the carbon dioxide. Otherwise you’ll end up with a mess. Trust me. 😅
Not sure if you get it in the US the same as in the UK, but I find that even just squash is good with carbonated water, e.g. orange squash. Cheaper than syrups and it tastes good with still water too!
No squash is very different to fresh juice. It's also called cordial but cordial tends to be far "syruppier" and may be slightly different, I'm not sure.
You mix 1 part squash with 6ish parts water (depending on preferred strength) and drink.
Ribena and Robinsons are the squash kings in the UK, just a very easy way to mix up some flavoured water basically.
Monin syrups are by far the most cost effective if you can get them in a local restaurant supply that’s open to the public. Costs about $10-$12 USD in the states and makes half sugar soda (28g/12oz). Their huckleberry is delicious. Otherwise, bubly is good for no sugar syrup.
If you’re looking for fruit flavors, there are those squeeze pods of water flavorings available at most grocery stores. Mio does a really good orange vanilla, it’s like having a creamsicle soda.
Yeah, wow, their Instagram is still up (advertising a warehouse sale) but their webpage is gone and gmaps shows them as "permanently closed". Sorry to get your hopes up, seems like it happened sometime in the last year.