Quick Answers
No, there is currently no official Coca-Cola branded syrup available for use in SodaStream machines. SodaStream does offer their own line of syrups and flavors to add to carbonated water, including cola flavors, but none are officially licensed or approved by The Coca-Cola Company.
About SodaStream and Coca-Cola
SodaStream is a manufacturer of home carbonation systems that allow users to turn plain water into sparkling water and soda at home. The devices work by injecting carbon dioxide gas into water, creating carbonation. SodaStream machines are sold with reusable BPA-free plastic bottles that can be filled and refilled with carbonated water or soda.
To make flavored sodas, SodaStream offers a wide variety of syrups and flavorings that can be added to carbonated water. They sell both regular and diet/zero calorie versions of syrups in popular soda flavors like cola, lemon-lime, root beer, and more. However, none of their syrups are officially licensed or approved by major soda brands like Coca-Cola, Pepsi, Mountain Dew, etc.
The Coca-Cola Company does not currently have any partnership or collaboration with SodaStream. So there are no official Coca-Cola branded syrups or flavors available for use in SodaStream machines as of 2023. Coke and other major soda brands have their own proprietary formulas and syrup recipes that they do not share with third-party companies like SodaStream.
SodaStream Cola Flavor Syrups
While there is no official Coca-Cola syrup for SodaStream, SodaStream does offer their own cola flavored syrups:
- SodaStream Cola Syrup – Their regular cola flavored soda syrup.
- SodaStream Diet Cola Syrup – A zero calorie, diet cola flavored syrup.
- SodaStream Cherry Cola Syrup – Adds a cherry flavoring to cola syrup.
- SodaStream Vanilla Cola Syrup – A cola syrup with added vanilla flavor.
These syrups allow SodaStream users to create fountain-style cola drinks at home. However, they will have a different taste profile compared to Coca-Cola or other major cola brands. This is because SodaStream’s syrup recipes are unique and not the highly guarded Coca-Cola formula.
Why There is No Official Coke Syrup for SodaStream
There are a few likely reasons why Coca-Cola has not partnered with or licensed their syrup to SodaStream:
- Formulation secrecy – The Coca-Cola formula is one of the most tightly kept trade secrets in the world. They may not want to share it with or license it to another company.
- Quality control – Coca-Cola has very strict quality control standards for how their drinks are made. They may be unable to guarantee consistent quality if consumers are making it themselves.
- Brand control – Allowing their syrup to be used on a third-party device may dilute their brand image and identity.
- Profitability – Coke makes enormous profits selling finished bottles and cans of soda. They would lose out on that revenue by licensing to SodaStream.
Additionally, there could be legal restrictions in Coke’s contracts and agreements with their bottling partners that prevent them from partnering with or licensing syrups to another carbonated beverage company like SodaStream.
Comparison of SodaStream Cola and Coca-Cola
Since there is no official Coke syrup for SodaStream machines, you may be wondering how SodaStream’s cola syrup compares to real Coca-Cola in taste and quality. Here is a overview:
| Attribute | SodaStream Cola Syrup | Coca-Cola |
|---|---|---|
| Flavor profile | Similar cola flavor, but not exact match to major brands | Unique and iconic Coca-Cola flavor |
| Sweetness | Adjustable – add more or less syrup to taste | Consistent sweetness in every sip |
| Carbonation | Adjustable carbonation from SodaStream machine | Standard carbonation in every bottle/can |
| Quality | Good, but can vary batch to batch | Strict quality control standards |
| Price | Around $5 for 2 liters of syrup | Around $2 for 2 liters of soda |
While SodaStream’s cola won’t be identical to Coca-Cola in taste, many users feel it provides a close enough experience for a fraction of the cost. Since you control sweetness and carbonation levels, you can tweak it to suit your preferences.
Alternatives to Get Coca-Cola Flavor with SodaStream
While there is no official Coke syrup from the Coca-Cola Company, there are some alternative options SodaStream users have come up with to get as close as possible to that Coca-Cola flavor at home:
Adding Coca-Cola Concentrate
Some active members of the SodaStream online community have reported good results adding a small amount of Coca-Cola concentrate to carbonated water. This isn’t officially recommended by SodaStream, but some users have managed to replicate the Coke flavor quite well.
Using Coke-flavored Syrup from Third Parties
There are a few soda and beverage flavoring companies that offer cola syrups designed to taste like Coca-Cola. Brands like DaVinci Gourmet and Monin have Coke-flavored concentrates that work with SodaStream. Reviews are mixed on how close they get to the real thing.
Mixing SodaStream Syrups to Get Close
Some creative SodaStreamers have had success mixing different syrups together to replicate Coke’s flavor profile. A common recipe is mixing cola and cherry cola syrup along with a splash of lemon-lime. While not exactly the same, some find this mix gets pretty close to Coca-Cola with some tweaking.
Adding Coffee, Vanilla, or Citrus Oils
To enhance SodaStream’s basic cola syrup, some users have experimented with adding a drop or two of coffee, vanilla, orange, or lemon oils to a bottle. These oils can help brighten up the flavor to more closely mimic Coca-Cola.
Using DIY Coke Syrup Recipes
There are numerous DIY recipes online that aim to clone the Coca-Cola syrup using simple household ingredients. Most combine sugar, vanilla, citric acid, cinnamon, and other flavors commonly associated with Coke. Results will vary, but some DIYers claim they’ve replicated the iconic soda quite well.
Recreating the Coke-at-a-Fountain Experience
Part of Coca-Cola’s appeal is enjoying that perfect fountain soda experience. While not exactly the same, SodaStream users can recreate elements of that Coke fountain drink at home:
- Add lots of ice to your glass for chilled bubbly Coke.
- Adjust carbonation levels for that fizzy fountain soda bite.
- Customize sweetness by using more or less syrup to taste.
- For smoother bubbly texture, let soda go flat then re-carbonate.
- Mix in a splash of grenadine syrup for the classic Cherry Coke taste.
With some experimentation, SodaStream fans can dial in their home carbonation machine to deliver a Coke-from-the-fountain drinking experience.
Benefits of Making Your Own Soda at Home
While Coca-Cola syrup isn’t available for SodaStream machines, making your own soda at home does come with many benefits:
- Major cost savings – Around 60 cents per liter compared to $2-3 per liter for pre-bottled soda.
- Customization – Control flavors and carbonation to suit personal preferences.
- No preservatives – Homemade soda has no artificial preservatives added.
- Environmentally friendly – Reusable bottles drastically reduce plastic waste and pollution.
- Fun activity – Kids can get involved in making their own special soda creations.
While it may not be exactly the same as big soda brands, many SodaStream fans love the ability to customize flavors and carbonation levels to their liking for a fraction of store soda prices.
The Future Possibilities of Coca-Cola Partnering with SodaStream
While there is currently no official Coke syrup for SodaStream, that doesn’t necessarily rule out a partnership down the road. As home carbonation and making your own soda grows in popularity, it’s possible Coca-Cola may revisit working with SodaStream or releasing their own home carbonation device.
Some possibilities that could make Coke syrup for at-home use a reality:
- SodaStream or a rival could develop improved technology and convince Coca-Cola it can reliably replicate their proprietary formula and rigorously control quality.
- Coke sees consumers shifting away from sugary, unhealthy sodas and wants to get in front of more health-conscious homemade soda drinking trends.
- They realize the enormous profit potential if they can find a way to monetize the home carbonated beverage market.
Particularly with more consumers concerned about excess sugar, artificial ingredients, and plastic waste from packaged sodas, Coca-Cola has incentive to explore new delivery models. While speculative, it’s quite possible in the not-too-distant future official Coke syrup could make its way into the hands of at-home soda DIYers.
Conclusion
As of now, there is no official Coca-Cola branded syrup available for use with SodaStream or other home carbonation machines. Coke and SodaStream have no formal partnership, likely due to formulation secrecy, quality control concerns, and brand identity on Coke’s part. However, SodaStream does offer their own line of cola-flavored syrups that provide a similar but not identical soda-drinking experience. Additionally, some creative at-home soda makers have found methods to mimic the Coca-Cola flavor profile by combining syrups, extracts, and DIY recipes. While currently unavailable, in the future it’s conceivable that Coca-Cola may change their stance given the growing popularity and profit potential of home-made sodas.