DIY Soft Drinks

Original Article ↗ Hacker News Discussion ↗

DIY Cola & Other Flavors

  • Several people discuss recreating Coca‑Cola, including a year‑long GC/MS reverse‑engineering project and open recipes like OpenCola and Cube‑Cola.
  • Opinion is mixed on value: some find concentrates cheaper and easier than sourcing many essential oils; others like full DIY despite cost and effort.
  • Root beer, kvass, tonic‑style bitters drinks, and mate/Club‑Mate clones are popular DIY targets.
  • Resources frequently mentioned: historical/technical soda books and YouTube channels focused on flavor chemistry.

Carbonation Methods & Hardware

  • Some are disappointed when recipes omit carbonation; others suggest simply mixing syrups with store‑bought sparkling water.
  • Detailed tips for very fizzy water: de‑gas by boiling, chill to near 0°C, then carbonate.
  • Many describe setups using CO₂ cylinders, regulators, ball‑lock caps on PET bottles, or adapters to refill countertop carbonator cylinders from bulk CO₂.
  • Trade‑offs: countertop units are convenient but have expensive refills; DIY CO₂ is cheaper, more flexible, but needs safety precautions.

Emulsifiers, Gums & Flavoring

  • Gum arabic is highlighted as tricky; pre‑hydrated forms and mixing with dry ingredients first are recommended.
  • Some suggest using water‑soluble flavor concentrates to avoid emulsions altogether, noting that clear commercial sodas often use these.
  • Other emulsifiers (sucrose esters, polysorbate 80, propylene glycol) are discussed for better stability.

Fermented & Tea-Based Drinks

  • Kombucha, water kefir, kvass, switchel, and shrubs are cited as cheap, healthy, or fun alternatives to soda.
  • Recipes and experiences: 20L kombucha with ginger/lemongrass, homemade kvass from toasted rye bread or malt, cold‑brewed yerba mate “Club‑Mate” clones.
  • Alcohol levels in kvass and similar drinks are discussed; usually low but non‑zero.

Sweeteners, Health & Taste

  • Some avoid sugar; others avoid artificial sweeteners due to taste or distrust, despite acknowledgment that aspartame is well‑studied.
  • DIY zero‑sugar recipes use data from labels (e.g., Canadian disclosures for aspartame/ace‑K levels).
  • Concerns about acidic drinks and dental health are mentioned; some prefer unsweetened sparkling water with citrus or vinegar.

Politics, Ethics & Access

  • SodaStream and its parent company come up in the context of boycott movements; opinions differ on boycott effectiveness.
  • Broader suggestions include avoiding all large corporations, though practicality is debated.
  • Small‑town grocery viability and distributor minimums are discussed as barriers to accessing ingredients and products.