Best Soda Stream Flavors, Ranked
We ranked 15 SodaStream flavors from worst to best.
SodaStream soda makers are a popular way to create flavored water at home. It’s good for the environment (you can avoid using a lot of plastic bottles) and is also convenient because you can make flavored sparkling water at the push of a button. And with such a wide range of flavors available, there’s something for everyone. Stock up on an assortment of flavors and you can adjust your drink selection according to whatever you happen to be craving on any particular day.
Of course, everyone’s tastebuds are different, so it’s a good idea to experiment and try the different flavors for yourself. You just might be surprised to discover some flavors you love (and, on the other hand, maybe find a few you don’t). It's also important to keep in mind that product availability can fluctuate, and flavors are sometimes discontinued.
Note that while SodaStream doesn’t use high-fructose corn syrup or aspartame, many of the varieties do use some combination of sugar and at least one sweetener (primarily sucralose, acesulfame potassium and/or stevia leaf extract), so it’s a good idea to read the labels if you are trying to avoid any specific ingredients.
Here are our picks for the best SodaStream flavors, from worst to best.
Here at Parade.com, we're all about sharing products we love with our audience. When you make a purchase on an item seen on this page, we may earn a commission, however, all picks are independently chosen unless otherwise mentioned.
SodaStream Flavors
Cream soda
If you’re a cream soda fan like I am, you will be disappointed to hear that cream soda is one of the least liked SodaStream flavors, earning negative feedback from many reviewers who have tried it. Many commenters used terms like “sugary” and “syrupy,” and the unpleasant aftertaste was also a common complaint.
Related: Can Drinking Soda Increase Your Risk of a Stroke?
Colas
Those who are loyal to a particular brand of soda might not be impressed with SodaStream’s cola offerings, which for the most part have tastes that might remind you of store-brand versions of popular soda brands—meaning they achieve the basic taste and may even come fairly close to your favorite name brand, but somehow seem to be missing one key secret ingredient.
Common feedback on the cola flavors are that some had a medicine-like taste—and a lingering, undesirable aftertaste is also frequently mentioned. Interestingly, many online reviewers preferred the diet versions of the SodaStream cola varieties to their non-diet cohorts.
Cola. This provides a cola taste that is satisfying and enjoyable, if not as distinctive as the famous cola brands. The fact that it has half the sugar of those leading brands is a plus.
Diet Cola. While some reviewers found the taste of this diet cola to be less than exciting, you may be won over by its lack of calories without containing high fructose corn syrup or aspartame.
Diet Caffeine Free Cola. Like the other diet cola variety, this zero-calorie cola syrup has no high fructose corn syrup or aspartame – but it’s also a good option for those who want to avoid caffeine.
Cherry Cola. Reviewers praised this flavor, which some say comes close to that of the well-known cherry cola products.
Pepsi lovers will be excited to hear the news that the company recently added authentic, official Pepsi flavors (Pepsi Zero Sugar, Pepsi, Diet Pepsi, Sierra Mist Zero Sugar, and Sierra Mist) to the SodaStream lineup – look for them at California retailers or on the SodaStream website.
Energy
Many online reviewers felt the essence of SodaStream’s Energy flavors were very similar to that of popular name-brand energy drinks—and that could be good or bad, depending on how you feel about their taste, which is often described as “chemical-like” or akin to cough medicine.
Related: 9 Best Healthy Energy Drinks to Keep You Going
Bubly Drops
SodaStream is part of PepsiCo, which also owns sparkling water line Bubly, so it makes sense that the company would find a way to team up the two beverage brands. Your feelings about the SodaStream versions of Bubly would likely mirror how you feel about the canned varieties. Some people love Bubly, while others (particularly loyal LaCroix devotees) claim the taste is too artificial or just underwhelming. Reviewers frequently noted the need to use more syrup with these Bubly varieties than with the thicker, more syrupy SodaStream flavors.
Original Bubly Drops flavors: Strawberry, Mango, Lime, Blackberry, Cherry and Grapefruit. These all have zero calories, zero carbs, and no sugar – but vary widely when it comes to the taste. The Cherry flavor seems to be the star of the bunch, although some users say the flavor can easily lean towards the tart and overpowering side, so it might help to go a bit light on the syrup. The Blackberry variety also earns good feedback for its rich, satisfying flavor. As for the Mango, according to many reviewers, this one misses the mark. Most seemed to feel the mango element was lacking, and instead, the dominant taste was something much less appealing.
Raspberry, Orange, Peach and Pineapple Bubly Drops. These varieties all have earned positive feedback, with many reviewers saying the flavors are “just the right amount” although others say it’s a tad too subtle for them.
Lemon Bubly Drops. This seems to be a “love it or hate it” flavor, as some people rave about it, but many others aren’t a fan of its overpowering (not in a good way) taste, which some compared to cleaning products.
Ginger Ale and Diet Ginger Ale
Both versions of the Ginger Ale flavor get mostly favorable reviews, with many noting that the flavor is as good as—or at least close to—that of name-brand ginger ales. Some people mentioned a slight aftertaste, although others said they didn’t notice that at all.
Fruits
The line of fruit flavors will appeal to anyone seeking a refreshing, thirst-quenching drink that doesn’t go overboard on the sugary component. They have no calories, no sugar, and no caffeine. While all get generally favorable reviews, the Pink Grapefruit seems to be the least popular of the group.
Related: 16 Healthy Sodas and Soda Alternatives
Soda Press Co.
The Soda Press Co. line features organic sodas and kombucha varieties – and of course the fact that they’re organic earns them some fans right off the bat. The feedback on the individual flavors varies, though. Some of the strong favorites:
Raspberry & Mint. The flavor is subtle yet pleasant, and users also liked that this variety is vegan-friendly, gluten-free, and has 50 percent less sugar than regular soda.
Passionfruit & Mandarin Kombucha. Many reviewers deemed this flavor delicious, with one noting it was “close to my fave store-bought kombucha.”
Ranking lower on the rating scale: Pink Grapefruit—which many felt wasn’t refreshing and didn’t taste like grapefruit at all—and Old Fashioned Lemonade, which some reviewers felt had a chemical taste.
Bubly Bounce Drops
Bubly Bounce Drops are caffeinated Bubly varieties, and the Triple Berry flavor gets high marks for being “crisp and refreshing.” The Blueberry Pomegranate and Citrus Cherry flavors also earned good feedback—and all the varieties offer a great pick-me-up thanks to their caffeine content.
Root Beer and Diet Root Beer
The root beer varieties get generally positive reviews, with many deeming this flavor close to that of popular name-brand root beers. Some commenters felt the taste was too strong or overly sugary, so you may want to use a bit less of the syrup than recommended.
Dr. Pete and Diet Dr. Pete
Given the name, it probably won’t come as any surprise that the Dr. Pete varieties are aiming to achieve a taste similar to that of Dr. Pepper – and by most accounts, they perform pretty well in that regard.
Fountain Mist and Diet Fountain Mist
While these Fountain Mist flavors earn generally good ratings, some commenters caution that while the name and packaging might make you think of clear soda brands like Sprite or Sierra Mist, the taste is actually closer to that of Mountain Dew. This is an example where the diet version seems to have a bit of an edge, garnering slightly more favorable reviews.
Homestyle Lemonade Zero Calorie
Reviews of this homestyle lemonade syrup are strongly positive, with many citing its delicious taste. The fact that it has zero calories is a bonus. Some reviewers did feel the flavor was a bit “watered down,” while others suggested adding a small amount of a fruit flavor to enhance the taste.
Diet Tonic Water
Reviewers love that this Diet Tonic Water variety provides the taste of tonic water without all the sugar, and suggest it is great for using in cocktails and mixed drinks.
Orange and Diet Orange
Both varieties of the Orange flavor get respectable reviews, with many commenters noting the taste reminded them of an orange ice cream product. Assessments of the sweetness factor seem to vary depending on individual preference, with some reviewers saying it’s a bit too sweet and suggesting you use slightly less syrup than recommended.
Lemon Lime and Diet Lemon Lime
The Lemon Lime varieties are a popular choice, with many reviewers noting the delicious, refreshing flavor. Fans also love that it delivers the taste of some name-brand alternatives but without as many calories or artificial ingredients.