Worth the counter space: Soda Stream Penguin

I grew up before corn syrup. In Ireland back then, soda ("minerals") was made with real sugar, and as a result it was expensive, and as a result it was something you only had on special occasions, like Christmas or Eurovision. It came in huge bottles. Individual cans were an extravagance (I still remember being stunned at how cheap soda is in the States), much like those tiny individual cereal boxes which had an irresistible glamor and which I wanted more than anything.

So when the Soda Stream arrived one Christmas ... well, it must have been awful. We were in heaven. Limitless minerals! Any flavor you wanted! All flavors mixed up together! It was just amazing. You put a bottle of plain tap water into the gadget, pulled a lever like a  one-armed bandit, added something syrupy and sweet ... and you had Coke, practically. Was a time since then I practically lived on Diet Coke and cigarettes, but I've kicked both - I've had maybe 2-3 Diet Cokes in the last couple years. I still love sparkling water, though, the more effervescent the better, but I hate the bottles and the waste.

Enter the Soda Stream Penguin. I love this gadget. Fizzy water! Whenever I want! From the tap! And it's a penguin. Now normally I don't do cute. I get a rash from the whimsy. But unlike the other Soda Stream models, the Penguin comes with glass bottles, so I ordered him ... and that little guy waddled onto the countertop and straight into our hearts.


The Penguin starter kit comes with two bottles and a CO2 cartridge which you insert gently into the front of the penguin. It's good for 60 liters. Then you just put in a bottle, press down on the penguin beak, and - sparkles! The penguin is much bigger than I expected, and feels a little light - but look how adorable.

So far I've used it only for water. I did buy a bottle of Diet Tonic syrup mix, which the Tall Fella said was a little sweet. We'll try to dilute it further - I like the idea of very effervescent tonic water on hand, given that my idea of hell is a flat G&T. But I'm going through several bottles of sparkling water a day, so this is a strong recommend for the Penguin. He's not cheap (we paid $200 on Amazon for the starter kit) but if you love sparkling water, I think he's worth it.