Who is this for?

Water-first mocktail hosts

You carbonate drinking water, then add mocktail ingredients in individual glasses or a jug. Usable bottle capacity and compatible spare bottles matter more to this routine than carbonating ingredients directly.

Table-service hosts

You want sparkling water ready to pour for visiting friends and would use a glass carafe at the table. Check that the carafe is designed for the exact machine you choose.

Direct-drink experimenters

You want the option to carbonate a cold mocktail or one of its ingredients, rather than always adding ingredients after carbonating water. That calls for a model expressly designed for drinks beyond water.

What matters when choosing?

Water-only soda maker

Choose when: You will carbonate drinking water and add mocktail ingredients afterwards.

Bear in mind: Mixed drinks go in the glass or jug, not in a water-only machine’s carbonation bottle.

Glass-carafe soda maker

Choose when: You want to carbonate water and serve it to guests in a glass carafe.

Bear in mind: Glass vessels are model-specific and must not be swapped into a machine that is not designed for them.

Multi-drink carbonator

Choose when: You also want to carbonate permitted cold ingredients or finished mocktails directly.

Bear in mind: This capability is unnecessary for water-first mixing; follow the model’s release and cleaning instructions for other drinks.

For mocktails served to visiting friends, decide what will go into the carbonation bottle before comparing serving vessels and batch capacity.

Concern What to check Who this matters to
Water ready for guests Compare the usable fill line and the number of compatible bottles you can have ready. If friends want another round, I would rather have sparkling water chilled than stop to prepare each serving. Around 36% of consumers put batch readiness first.
Water-first mixing Check the exact model’s instructions for permitted drinks and when to add flavours. I plan to add juice or cordial after carbonating water, so I need a machine intended for that sequence. For around 29% of consumers, correct water-first operation is the primary concern.
Serving and cleanup Confirm glass-carafe compatibility and whether the chosen vessel is dishwasher-safe. When guests sit down, I would like to pour from a carafe and have a manageable cleanup afterwards. Around 21% of consumers place table service first.
Carbonating other drinks Confirm that the model permits the intended cold drink, then follow its pressure-release and cleaning instructions. I want to fizz a chilled mocktail ingredient or finished drink rather than use sparkling water as the base. That is the leading need for around 14% of consumers.

Mistakes to avoid

  • Assuming every machine can carbonate a finished mocktail

    SodaStream UK says its standard sparkling-water makers carbonate water, with MIX as an exception for other drinks. A water-only model should not be treated as suitable for juice or syrup.

    For a water-first mocktail, carbonate drinking water and add the other ingredients afterwards. If direct carbonation matters, check the exact model’s permitted beverages.

  • Buying a glass bottle by brand or size alone

    Glass compatibility depends on the machine. Aarke says its glass bottle is for Carbonator Pro, not Carbonator 3; SodaStream identifies a dedicated glass carafe for DUO.

    Match every spare bottle or carafe to the exact machine model before ordering it.

  • Overlooking the cylinder arrangement

    Making sparkling water for guests depends on having a compatible CO₂ cylinder available when you need it. Bundle contents and return arrangements can differ.

    Check which cylinder comes with the selected machine, its compatible replacement format and how you will obtain an exchange or refill.

Brands to consider for these uses

SodaStream

SodaStream UK offers water-carbonation models for mixing drinks afterwards, the glass-carafe DUO and the multi-drink MIX.

  • DUO accepts its compatible glass carafe as well as reusable plastic bottles, giving water-first hosts a table-serving option.
  • The standard sparkling-water makers are described as water-only; check bottle compatibility and cylinder terms for the particular model and bundle.

Aarke

Aarke offers distinct PET-bottle and glass-bottle carbonation systems.

  • Aarke describes Carbonator Pro as using a dishwasher-safe glass bottle within a protective cover.
  • Aarke says its glass bottle must not be used with Carbonator 3; choose bottles for the exact model.

Drinkmate

Drinkmate positions OmniFizz for carbonating cold beverages beyond plain water.

  • Drinkmate lists juices, tea and mocktails among drinks OmniFizz can carbonate directly.
  • Direct-drink capability is not needed if you will only carbonate water before mixing.

Joybuy products

Related products coming soon.

Frequently asked questions

Should I carbonate mocktail ingredients or just water?

With a water-only soda maker, carbonate plain water and add mocktail ingredients afterwards. Only carbonate another drink directly when the exact model expressly permits it: SodaStream identifies MIX as an exception to its standard water-only range, while Drinkmate lists cold mocktails among drinks for OmniFizz.

Can I use any glass bottle with a soda maker?

No. Glass bottles are machine-specific: SodaStream identifies a compatible glass carafe for DUO, and Aarke says its Glass Bottle Pro is for Carbonator Pro, not Carbonator 3. Check the exact bottle and machine pairing before buying a spare.

How many bottles should I plan for when friends visit?

Plan around usable fill capacity and when each serving will be needed, rather than nominal bottle size alone. SodaStream UK lists a 0.84 L fill line for the 1 L bottle in its Fresh bundle; a second compatible bottle can hold another prepared batch while you serve the first.