Can you make energy drinks with a SodaStream?

Quick Answer

Yes, you can make energy drinks at home with a SodaStream but with some limitations. The primary ingredients in energy drinks like caffeine, taurine, B vitamins and herbs/extracts would need to be purchased separately and added to the carbonated water. The SodaStream allows you to control the level of carbonation but does not provide the other key ingredients.

What is a SodaStream?

A SodaStream is a home carbonation system that allows you to turn plain water into sparkling water or soda. The main components are:

  • Carbonator – This is the unit that carbonates the water by adding CO2
  • CO2 Cylinder – This provides the carbon dioxide gas to the carbonator
  • Flavor Syrups – SodaStream sells a variety of branded syrups to flavor the sparkling water
  • Carbonating Bottles – These sturdy reusable bottles hold the water during carbonation

To make sparkling water or soda you simply fill the bottle with water, attach to the carbonator, press the button to inject CO2 then add flavor if desired. The level of carbonation can be adjusted with multiple presses of the carbonation button.

Are energy drinks just carbonated caffeine water?

While caffeine is the primary active ingredient, most energy drinks contain a unique combination of other stimulants, vitamins and extracts designed to provide an energy boost. In addition to caffeine, some other key ingredients often found in popular energy drinks include:

  • Taurine – An amino acid that can enhance mental and physical performance
  • B Vitamins – Important for energy production and focus
  • Herbal Extracts – Such as guarana, yerba mate, rhodiola which provide additional stimulants
  • Sugars – Simple carbohydrates improve flavor and provide an energy boost
  • Electrolytes – Like sodium, potassium, magnesium help hydrate the body

So while the carbonated water provides the bubbly, refreshing base, it is really the combination of supplements that provide the “energy” aspect people are seeking.

Can you add supplements to SodaStream drinks?

Yes, there is nothing preventing you from adding your own ingredients to SodaStream sparkling water to make customized energy drinks or soda. However, there are some important factors to consider:

  • You’ll need to source and measure out your own caffeine, herbs, vitamins etc. SodaStream doesn’t provide these.
  • The carbonation process may alter the flavor depending on ingredients used.
  • Carbonation can reduce potency of certain supplements over time.
  • Final nutrition will depend on type and amount of additives used.
  • Safety depends on not exceeding recommended dosages, especially of stimulants.

While SodaStream doesn’t prevent DIY additives, for best results it’s ideal to use ingredients suited for carbonated beverages.

What are the key ingredients in popular energy drinks?

Here is an overview of key active ingredients contained in 5 of the top selling energy drink brands (per 8.4oz serving):

Brand Caffeine Taurine B Vitamins Herbal Extracts
Red Bull 80mg 1000mg Niacin, B6, B12
Monster 80mg 1000mg Niacin, B2, B3, B6, B12 Guarana, Ginseng
Rockstar 80mg 1000mg Niacin, B2, B3, B6, B12 Guarana, Milk Thistle
NOS 130mg B3, B6, B12 Guarana
AMP 142mg B6, B12, D Guarana, Ginseng

As you can see, while caffeine is always present, the other ingredients and amounts vary between brands. Taurine, B vitamins and herbal extracts are very common. When making DIY energy drinks, these would be good ingredients to include.

Should you make your own energy drinks?

Here are some pros and cons to consider when deciding if homemade energy drinks are right for you:

Potential benefits:

  • Control the ingredients and their amounts
  • Avoid artificial sweeteners or colors
  • Tailor to your own nutritional needs
  • Adjust caffeine strength
  • Potentially cheaper than store-bought
  • Fun DIY beverage project

Potential downsides:

  • Need to purchase all ingredients separately
  • Proper measuring is critical, especially for stimulants
  • Carbonation can influence flavor and potency
  • May not taste as good as commercial versions
  • Health risks if using too many stimulants
  • Time consuming to create each individual drink

Overall, it’s certainly possible to make custom energy drinks at home using a SodaStream but requires effort to get the recipe and proportions right. Pre-made energy drinks provide a convenient option if you just want an occasional energy boost.

What basic recipe can you use to make energy drinks with SodaStream?

Here is a basic framework you can start with to make your own energy drink using a SodaStream:

Ingredients:

  • 8-12 oz carbonated water (amount to taste)
  • 60-150mg caffeine (powder or tablets)
  • 1000mg taurine powder
  • B vitamin complex capsule or drops
  • Herbal extract powder(s) like guarana, ginseng etc. (optional)
  • Sugar, stevia or other 0 calorie sweetener (optional)
  • Fruit juice or flavorings (optional)

Directions:

  1. Carbonate water in SodaStream bottle as desired
  2. In a separate container, dissolve/mix the caffeine, taurine and any powdered ingredients into 2-4 oz water
  3. Pour carbonated water into serving glass filled with ice
  4. Add vitamin B complex and any other water soluble vitamins
  5. Pour dissolved supplement mixture into serving glass
  6. Add any juice, flavors or sweetener as desired
  7. Stir gently and serve

For best results, consume immediately after preparation. Store any unused dissolved supplements in refrigerator for later use. Avoid direct contact between supplements and SodaStream to prevent build up.

What are good sources for energy drink ingredients?

It’s easy to find basic supplies like caffeine tablets and powder, electrolyte mixes and generic supplements. However, for more unique energy drink-specific ingredients, here are some good sources:

  • BulkSupplements – Large selection of powders including taurine, guarana, yerba mate, white tea extract and more.
  • PureBulk – Sells individual herbs and extracts often found in energy drinks.
  • Amazon – Look for supplement brands like Nutricost, Zhou Nutrition or PureEncapuslations.
  • iHerb – Wide range of vitamin, mineral, herbal and amino acid powders and capsules.
  • Vitamin Shoppe – Carries many sports nutrition brands of supplements.
  • GNC – Large supplement retailer with both private label and name brands.

When buying ingredients, be sure to get information on the recommended dosages and don’t exceed those amounts when formulating your own drinks.

What precautions should you take when making energy drinks yourself?

While it can be fun to create your own customized beverages, keep these precautions in mind when making energy drinks at home:

  • Accurately measure ingredients especially stimulants like caffeine and herbal extracts.
  • Research safe dosages, drug interactions and side effects before using any new ingredient.
  • Avoid too many herbal extracts at once as combinations may have unintended effects.
  • Get doctor approval if you have any medical conditions or take medications.
  • Children, teens, pregnant women and seniors should exercise greater caution or avoid entirely.
  • Store vitamin tablets/capsules separately from dissolved powders for maximum potency.
  • Don’t make more than you can drink in 1-2 days to maintain freshness.

Consuming commercial energy drinks also comes with risks if exceeding recommended intake. Making your own allows control over contents, but safety should still be the top priority.

Conclusion

While the SodaStream itself doesn’t provide any of the “energy” ingredients besides carbonated water, it can certainly be used as the base for DIY energy drinks. With the right combination of additional supplements, herbs, vitamins and flavors, it is possible to formulate your own energy boosting beverage. However, extra caution is warranted when measuring and mixing stimulants yourself. For occasional use, pre-made commercial energy drinks may provide a simpler option. But for frequent use or desire to control the formula, the SodaStream can be a useful tool to carbonate custom energy drink recipes.

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