January 1, 2013

Seltzer Rocks in a Bubbly New Year

Last night, a champagne toast was perfect.

SodaStream Alternative Consumer Go Green But today it's back to business. So I'm keeping my first resolution - to reduce my plastic waste - by using a seltzer maker to concoct my own 'mixed drinks.'

In 2012, diet cola was a vice I wanted to shake - and I knew how. I just didn't do it. So starting today, I'm clearing out the last of the Diet Pepsi in the house and filling up the SodaStream reusable bottles to get them chilling.

When I need a sparkly drink to go with lunch, I'll fizz the tap water and mix in some 100% grape juice. It reminds me of childhood, that homemade grape soda, of how I remember the sweet elixir in the glass bottles tasted.

Could I make my own diet cola with this gizmo? Yes. But - fortunately - I just don't care for the diet cola syrup the company offers with its seltzer makers. A couple bottles from the little sampler pack of flavors - root beer, cola, lemon-lime, etc, convinced me that I'm just not much of syrup user.

If I want the seltzer flavored but not syrupy, however, the little bottle of lemon-lime essence does a really nice job. In fact, that may just supply the answer to how I'll substitute the diet cola I've drinking at the office. That change could just be worth buying a second seltzer maker to keep there.  A scary idea, being left with no excuses  . . .

Here's to going well-prepared into a healthier new year!