How to Make Your Own Sparkling Water at Home

If you’re an apartment dweller looking for a way to elevate your drink game, reduce waste and save money, making your own sparkling water products might just be the answer! Plus, it’s a fun way to control exactly what goes into your drinks — no artificial flavors or excessive sugar. Whether you’re a fan of bubbly water, flavored fizzy drinks or even sparkling water cocktails, you can make them all in the comfort of your own home.

In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know: from making sparkling water from scratch to infusing it with natural flavors and creating refreshing sparkling water cocktails. Let’s dive in!

How to make your own fizzy drinks at home

How to make sparkling water at home

Sparkling water is just water that’s been injected with carbon dioxide, giving it a fizz that’s free of any kind of fermentation. Though it’s been around for a while, sparkling water varieties have become more and more readily available in most grocery stores under popular brands like LaCroix, Perrier and Bubly. 

It’s a great alternative to sugary sodas, but if you’re tired of spending money on cans or bottles that end up cluttering your recycling bin, making your own sparkling water at home can be a game changer.

What you need:

• A sparkling water maker (SodaStream is one of the most popular brands)
• CO2 cartridges
• Cold water

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Fill the bottle that comes with your sparkling water maker with cold water.
2. Attach the bottle to the machine, making sure it’s securely in place.
3. Press the carbonation button for a few seconds (or longer, depending on how fizzy you like it).
4. Once it’s carbonated to your liking, remove the bottle and enjoy!

Making sparkling water at home saves you money, reduces plastic waste and allows you to adjust the carbonation level to your personal preference. Plus, you get to skip the added sugars and artificial flavors found in some store-bought options.

Pro tips:

• Cold water tends to carbonate better, so always use chilled water.
• Experiment with the carbonation levels to find your perfect amount of fizz.

How to make flavored sparkling water

Flavored sparkling water is simply carbonated water that’s been infused with natural or artificial flavors — brands like Spindrift (which uses real fruit), LaCroix and Hint are some of the more popular examples that you can see on store shelves today. 

While these drinks are certainly refreshing, many might want to avoid the artificial ingredients or sweeteners used in some commercial varieties. Luckily, you can make it for yourself! 

Natural flavoring options:

• Fresh fruits (think berries, citrus, blueberries, pineapple, coconut etc.)
• Herbs (like mint, basil, rosemary)
• Other aromatics (like ginger)

Infusing the flavors:

1. Direct infusion method: Add fresh fruits or herbs directly to your sparkling water. Give them a little press with a muddler or spoon to release the flavors. Let it sit in the fridge for a few hours to allow the flavors to mingle. Strain them out of the water or keep them in for added flavor!
2. DIY flavored ice cubes: Fill ice cube trays with fruit, herbs or spices and freeze.

Making your own flavored sparkling water means you can avoid added sugars, artificial sweeteners and preservatives — or at least, you can control them. Plus, you can get creative with flavor combos that aren’t available at the store.

Pro tips:

• If you’re after a stronger flavor, muddle the fruits or herbs before adding them to the water. You’ll get a more intense infusion.
• Freeze fruits and herbs in ice cubes to add flavor without watering down your drink.

How to make a ginger bug

A ginger bug is a fermented starter used to make naturally fizzy beverages like ginger ale and ginger beer — it’s essentially a homemade version of store-bought ginger ale, but without the high-fructose corn syrup and artificial ingredients! 

Commercial ginger ales, like Canada Dry and Seagram's, often rely on artificial flavorings and preservatives, but with a ginger bug, you can control the ingredients and enjoy a healthier, more probiotic drink.

What you need:

• Fresh ginger root
• Sugar (granulated or brown)
• Water

Step-by-step instructions:

1. Grate fresh ginger and mix it with sugar and water in a glass jar. Use about 1 tablespoon of both grated ginger and sugar for every cup of water.
2. Stir the mixture well, cover it with a clean cloth (to allow the mixture to breathe) and let it sit at room temperature.
3. Every day, “feed” the ginger bug by adding another tablespoon of grated ginger and sugar. Repeat for 5 days. 
4. Once your ginger bug is bubbling and has a slightly sour smell, it’s ready to use! You can either strain out the liquid and use it immediately, or you can keep it in a sealed jar in the fridge and feed it every week.

To make ginger beer or ginger ale, mix a bit of the ginger bug with some sparkling water and lime juice — you can control how much of the ginger concentrate you use! 

Not only does a ginger bug give you full control over the sweetness and flavor of your ginger ale, but it also gives you a naturally carbonated, probiotic drink that supports gut health. It’s perfect for anyone looking to avoid overly processed drinks!

Pro tips:

• Make sure the jar is loosely covered to let the fermentation process work without allowing contaminants in.
• Keep the ginger bug away from direct sunlight, as it can affect the fermentation process.

Sparkling water cocktail recipes

Sparkling water isn't just for hydration — it can also be the base for some deliciously fizzy cocktails! These recipes are perfect for adding a little extra sparkle to your evening without relying on sugary mixers. Plus, they’re easy to make and perfect for apartment-sized kitchens.

Classic mojito fizz

A refreshing twist on the traditional mojito, this cocktail is crisp and invigorating.

What you need:

• 1 oz white rum
• 1/2 oz lime juice
• 1 tsp sugar or simple syrup
• Fresh mint leaves
• Sparkling water
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Muddle the mint leaves and sugar in the bottom of a glass.
2. Add rum, lime juice and ice to the glass.
3. Top with sparkling water and stir gently.
4. Garnish with extra mint leaves and a lime wedge.

Citrus gin fizz

This cocktail brings the zesty flavors of citrus together with the refreshing bubbles of sparkling water.

What you need:

• 2 oz gin
• 1 oz orange juice
• 1/2 oz lemon juice
• 1/2 oz honey syrup (honey diluted in water)
• Sparkling water
• Ice

Instructions:

1. In a shaker, combine gin, orange juice, lemon juice and honey syrup with ice. Shake well.
2. Strain into a glass filled with ice.
3. Top with sparkling water and garnish with an orange or lemon wheel.

Sparkling berry cooler

This berry-forward drink is both sweet and tart — a great way to cool off on a hot day.

What you need:

• 1/2 cup mixed berries (blueberries, raspberries or strawberries)
• 1 oz vodka (optional)
• 1 tsp honey or agave syrup
• Sparkling water
• Ice

Instructions:

1. Muddle the berries and honey in a glass.
2. Add vodka (if using) and ice, then top with sparkling water.
3. Stir well and garnish with extra berries for a fun pop of color.

Why add cocktails to your DIY repertoire?
Using sparkling water in cocktails lets you enjoy a refreshing, low-sugar alternative to heavy mixers like soda or tonic water. Plus, it’s customizable — play around with fruits, herbs and spirits to create your own signature drinks!

Pro tips:

• Always serve your sparkling water cocktails over ice to keep the fizz alive.
• For added complexity, try adding bitters or flavored syrups.

Making your own sparkling water products is a rewarding and fun way to enjoy fizzy, flavorful drinks without the added sugar, artificial ingredients or plastic waste of commercial options. From sparkling water to flavored waters, ginger ale and sparkling cocktails, the possibilities are endless. Plus, it’s a great way to experiment with flavors and ingredients that align with your health-conscious, sustainable lifestyle. So why not give it a try? Your taste buds (and the planet) will thank you.

Enjoy!

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Featured photo by Wafer WAN on Unsplash