Google the most common New Year’s resolutions and you’ll find that eating better or losing weight come up on most lists. I’m here to help.
A good way to start: Cut soda out of your life.
“The more soda you consume (regular or diet), the more hazardous your habit can become,” Amanda MacMillan wrote in a 2015 article on cnn.com. “And whether you’re a six-pack-a-day drinker or an occasional soft-drink sipper, cutting back can likely have benefits for your weight and overall health.” The article continues with tips, one being to “Give seltzer a try.”
Enter DrinkMate’s home carbonation system. The iDrink product adds bubbles to beverages, pulped juices excluded.
I tested the DrinkMate on water, juice, tea and cold-brew coffee — all were fun to do and drink, except the coffee. I would have to add my usual cream and sugar to lessen the bitterness. But the flavored tea and juices were refreshing and delicious. A coworker even said the tea tasted more like soda. Plain water turned out nice and spritzy, so that even though I love flat water, after a few glasses I found myself being pulled toward the seltzer.
>> Does it work? Yes! Fill the bottle; twist on the cap, aka Fizz Infuser (make sure it is locked — if not, water will explode everywhere); slide the bottle into the base; then press the indented silver section of the base in short spurts to add carbon dioxide. Slide the bottle out. A silver lever on the Fizz Infuser releases any extra CO2. Open and pour.
Just a note: Different liquids produce different amounts of foam, so I wouldn’t fill the bottle all the way to the marked fill line except with water. Try half the amount for other liquids on your first attempt.
>> Pros: Easy to use, but do read the instructions. Brings bubbly fun to most drinks. Leftover liquids can be stored in the bottle using an enclosed cap — the carbonation lasts a couple of days — but the plastic bottle may hold onto strong smells if a liquid is left in too long.
>> Cons: Not dishwasher safe, so a brush is needed to clean the bottle. There’s an ongoing cost for the CO2, but after the initial purchase of a 14.5-ounce cylinder (labeled 60L, which makes about 60 liters worth of drinks), Bed Bath & Beyond will refill it for $15. A 60L Sodastream canister will fit (not the 130L) and can be found at Target ($35.49) and Bed Bath & Beyond ($30).
>> Cost and availability: A DrinkMate device at idrinkproducts.com is $82 without a cylinder and $92 with a 3-ounce (10L) cylinder. Shipping is $35 more.
>> Worth it?: Definitely, as the gadget adds bubbles to almost all liquids. If you’re trying to kick a soda habit, remember to check the sugar content of liquids you use — you don’t want to get addicted to another sugary drink. Also, DrinkMate also can be used to revitalize beer and flat soda, but that would defeat the purpose of this year’s resolution.
Got a gadget that you love? Curious about one you’d like us to test? Email crave@staradvertiser.com or write Crave, Honolulu Star-Advertiser, 7 Waterfront Plaza, Suite 210, Honolulu 96813.
