How to Make Sparkling Water at Home

On this page (10 sections)

1. How do you make sparkling water at home?
2. What equipment do you need to make seltzer at home?
3. How should you choose a machine for making sparkling water at home?
4. Why should you carbonate plain water first?
5. Does cold water help when making homemade sparkling water?
6. How do you keep the bubbles in homemade seltzer?
7. How do you add flavor to sparkling water?
8. How do you manage CO2 refills?
9. What mistakes should you avoid when making sparkling water at home?
10. Which setup should you choose for making sparkling water at home?

To make sparkling water at home, chill plain water, carbonate it in a compatible machine, and add flavor afterward if you like. A countertop carbonator uses a CO2 cylinder and a reusable bottle to turn still water into fizz on demand.

The right setup depends on how often you drink sparkling water, how much counter space you have, and whether the machine's bottle and cylinder system suit your routine. A simple manual machine can be enough for plain water, while extra bottles and flavor drops help if you want cold batches ready or several drink options.

How do you make sparkling water at home?

Use cold, plain water and a carbonation device made for home use. With a countertop machine, fill its compatible bottle to the marked line, secure it as directed, carbonate it using the machine's steps, then release and remove the bottle as the manual describes.

1. Chill drinking water in the refrigerator.
2. Fill the compatible bottle to its marked line.
3. Secure the bottle as the machine instructions show.
4. Add CO2 using the recommended button presses or lever movement.
5. Release pressure as directed, remove the bottle, and pour.
6. Add flavor after carbonation, if wanted.

Controls vary between machines, so follow the directions for your model rather than assuming every machine uses the same bottle or number of presses. For a comparison of machine types and features, see how to choose a carbonated water maker.

What equipment do you need to make seltzer at home?

A compatible carbonator, its matching CO2 supply, and an approved bottle are the basic setup. A refrigerator helps chill water before you make a batch, while flavoring is optional.

The SodaStream Terra Starter Kit includes a sparkling water maker, a 60L Quick Connect CO2 cylinder, a dishwasher-safe BPA-free bottle, and a Bubly lime drop. SodaStream says one cylinder makes up to 60 liters; how quickly it runs out depends on how much fizz you use.

This starter kit suits someone who wants the core equipment in one purchase and plans to make sparkling water regularly. Skip it if you don't have room for a countertop machine or would rather use a siphon; a siphon requires its own compatible charger and instructions.

Before buying any machine, check where it will sit and whether the bottle and cylinder fit your intended routine. For a closer comparison of starter options, see our SodaStream starter kit guide.

A soda siphon and SodaStream comparison can help if you are choosing between those formats.

How should you choose a machine for making sparkling water at home?

Choose by fit, refill routine, and how much sparkling water you drink. The machine is only part of the setup: the bottle and CO2 cylinder must match it, and you'll need a convenient way to replace or exchange empty cylinders.

A countertop carbonator is a good fit if you drink sparkling water often and want repeatable batches without carrying home ready-made drinks. Check the machine's footprint and clearance under your cabinets, then consider whether you can keep its compatible bottle cold between uses.

A soda siphon may suit someone who wants a smaller format or makes sparkling water less often. Its charger and operating steps are specific to the model, so choose one only if you are comfortable keeping the correct supplies on hand and following its manual.

Skip home carbonation if you rarely drink sparkling water, don't want to store a machine or cylinders, or can't get the required refills easily. In that case, buying ready-made sparkling water may be the simpler routine.

Why should you carbonate plain water first?

Carbonate plain water before adding syrup, juice, or drops. Other liquids can foam during carbonation and spill from a machine.

Start with water in the machine's approved bottle. Once fizzing is complete, add flavoring to a glass or pour the sparkling water over it slowly.

Don't carbonate another liquid unless the manufacturer approves it for your specific model. See whether you can put juice in a SodaStream for more guidance on juice and carbonation.

How much fizz should you add when making sparkling water at home?

Start with the lightest carbonation setting or fewest presses, then adjust the next batch to your taste. The right amount depends on both your preference and the machine's directions.

SodaStream says one slow press gives the Terra light fizz, while a few more build stronger bubbles. Other machines can work differently, so use the directions for the model you have.

If the machine stops producing bubbles, check the bottle position and CO2 cylinder according to the manual. Our guide to a SodaStream that is not carbonating covers common checks.

Does cold water help when making homemade sparkling water?

Chilled water is a useful starting point for home carbonation. Keep it plain and use the fill line marked on the compatible bottle.

Don't overfill the bottle to make a larger batch. The marked line and the space above the water are part of the setup, so follow them instead of guessing.

An extra bottle helps if you want cold water ready while another bottle is in use. The SodaStream 1L Classic Bottle, Black Twin Pack includes two 1L bottles, but it doesn't fit Aqua Fizz, Duo, or e-Duo machines.

Choose these bottles if you use a compatible SodaStream machine and want to keep a second batch cold. Skip them if you have an Aqua Fizz, Duo, or e-Duo; check your exact machine's compatibility before buying replacement bottles.

The bottles are dishwasher safe and BPA-free. Follow the bottle's care guidance and replace it when required rather than using it beyond its stated service life.

How do you keep the bubbles in homemade seltzer?

Close the bottle promptly after pouring and keep it cold between servings. Less time open and less agitation help the water retain its fizz.

Pour gently into a clean glass, and avoid shaking a carbonated bottle or opening it quickly after it has been moved or warmed. Use the bottle intended for your machine, since caps and seals vary.

If you want a machine primarily for plain water, compare options in our guide to carbonated water makers for plain sparkling water.

How do you add flavor to sparkling water?

Add flavor after carbonation, starting with a small amount. Stir gently or swirl the glass rather than shaking a sealed bottle.

Fresh lemon or lime gives a simple citrus taste. Bubly Drops Six-Flavor Variety Pack includes strawberry, grapefruit, blackberry, lime, mango, and cherry flavors, described as unsweetened and zero calorie.

Choose these drops if you want several unsweetened flavor options for sparkling water. Skip them if you prefer plain water or want a sweetened soda, since these drops have no sweeteners.

Try a few drops in one glass, taste, and add more only if needed. See how to make sparkling water taste better for more flavor ideas.

For a sweet drink, add syrup to the glass after fizzing; our guide explains how to make Italian soda at home.

How do you manage CO2 refills?

Check your machine's cylinder connection before buying a refill. A cylinder that doesn't fit your model won't help you make sparkling water, even if it has the right capacity.

The SodaStream CO2 Refill, 2 Pink Quick Connect pack includes two 60L cylinders and fits SodaStream Terra, ART, Aqua Fizz, E-Terra, E-Duo, Enso, and Gaia machines. SodaStream describes an exchange process for returning empty cylinders.

This refill pack suits owners of compatible machines who want two cylinders available before the current one runs low. Skip it if your machine uses a different connection type, and confirm compatibility before ordering.

Follow the refill or exchange instructions for your cylinder. See how to change a SodaStream CO2 cylinder for swap steps, and read how long a SodaStream CO2 cylinder lasts to plan refills.

What mistakes should you avoid when making sparkling water at home?

Use the right bottle, water level, and cylinder, and add flavor only after carbonation. Those checks address the most common setup and serving problems.

• Don't overfill the bottle. Use its marked line so you leave the space the machine requires.
• Don't use a bottle that doesn't fit your machine. Confirm compatibility before buying a spare.
• Don't carbonate juice or syrup. Fizz plain water first, then flavor it.
• Don't guess at the CO2 connection. Match the cylinder type to your machine.
• Don't ignore the manual. Button presses, levers, pressure release, and bottle removal can differ by model.

Keeping water chilled, a spare compatible bottle ready, and an exchange plan for cylinders makes the routine easier to maintain. If you're still deciding whether regular home carbonation fits your budget, see our SodaStream cost-per-liter guide.

Which setup should you choose for making sparkling water at home?

Choose a countertop carbonator if you drink sparkling water often and want convenient batches; choose a siphon if you prefer a smaller setup and accept its charger routine. Either way, use plain water, the correct bottle or vessel, and the device's instructions.

The SodaStream Terra Starter Kit is a practical fit if you want a machine, bottle, cylinder, and a flavor drop together. Add the compatible twin-pack bottles if keeping another cold batch ready matters, and choose the two-cylinder refill pack if your machine uses Pink Quick Connect cylinders.

If you only want plain fizz, you can skip flavor drops. If you rarely drink sparkling water or don't want to keep a machine and CO2 supply, ready-made drinks may suit you better.

Start with how to choose a carbonated water maker if you haven't picked a machine. Once you have one, chill plain water, carbonate it according to its manual, and add flavor afterward.

Frequently asked questions

Can you make sparkling water at home without a machine?

Yes, if you use a carbonation method designed for home use, such as a soda siphon with the correct charger. Follow that device's manual for water, charger, pressure, and handling instructions.

Don't try to carbonate water in a sealed household bottle or with improvised gas equipment.

Does cold water make better sparkling water?

Cold water is a practical starting point for home carbonation, and many machine instructions recommend chilling water before fizzing. Follow the temperature and fill guidance for your model, since bottle shape, water level, and button or lever steps vary.

Chill the water before filling the machine's bottle.

Can you flavor water before carbonating it?

Use plain water in a carbonator unless its manufacturer explicitly approves another liquid. Syrups, juice, and drops can foam or spill during carbonation, so add them after fizzing and pour slowly.

Start with a small amount of flavoring and adjust to taste.

How do you make sparkling water taste better?

Add citrus, fruit drops, or a small amount of syrup after carbonation. Start with less flavoring than you think you need, stir gently, and taste before adding more.

For unsweetened flavor, choose drops labeled unsweetened and check their ingredients.