We've all wondered. You're standing there with your soda maker and a carton of milk, thinking... what if?
Let's answer the weird carbonation questions nobody else will.
🥛 Can You Carbonate Milk?
⚠️ Short Answer: Technically yes, but please don't.
What happens: You CAN carbonate milk, but the results are... unpleasant. The CO2 reacts with the milk proteins and creates a sour, curdled texture. The carbonation also causes foaming that makes a mess. And the taste? Imagine sour, fizzy cheese water.
Will it damage your machine? Yes, potentially. Milk residue in a SodaStream is a hygiene nightmare. Fat and protein can clog valves and seals. Your warranty will be void.
The verdict: There's a reason carbonated milk isn't a thing. Don't do it.
🍊 Can You Carbonate Juice?
✓ Yes — but only with the right machine.
In a SodaStream: NO. Juice in a SodaStream will cause explosive overflow when you release the bottle. Sugar and acidity create violent fizzing. You'll have juice everywhere except in the bottle.
In a DrinkMate: YES. The DrinkMate is specifically designed to carbonate any beverage safely. Its controlled release valve prevents overflow.
The result: Sparkling orange juice is actually delicious — like adult Orangina. Same with apple cider, lemonade, and most fruit juices.
Get a DrinkMate if you want to carbonate juice →
🍷 Can You Carbonate Wine?
✓ Yes — makes budget prosecco.
In a SodaStream: NO. Same overflow problem as juice.
In a DrinkMate: YES. And it actually works surprisingly well. Still wine + carbonation = sparkling wine. It's not champagne, but a cheap bottle of white wine becomes a respectable sparkling wine.
Pro tip: Use dry, light wines (Pinot Grigio, Sauvignon Blanc). Sweet or tannic reds don't work as well.
☕ Can You Carbonate Coffee?
🤔 Yes, and it's... interesting.
Sparkling coffee is a real thing — some cafes sell it. Cold brew coffee with carbonation tastes sharp, slightly sour, and surprisingly refreshing.
Should you try it? If you like adventurous coffee experiences, yes. Use cold brew, not hot coffee. Carbonate it in a DrinkMate. Add it over ice with a splash of tonic water for a "coffee spritzer."
The verdict: Polarizing. Some people love it. Others find it wrong. Worth trying once.
🍺 Can You Carbonate Beer/Alcohol?
⚠️ Be careful.
Flat beer: Technically you can re-carbonate flat beer with a DrinkMate. Results are... okay. It won't taste like fresh beer, but it's better than flat.
Spirits: You can carbonate cocktail bases (margarita mix, mojito base) but NOT straight spirits. High alcohol concentrations don't hold carbonation well and can create excessive pressure.
Safety note: Be extremely careful with alcohol. High ABV + pressure = potential danger. Stick to low-ABV beverages and cocktail mixes.
🥤 Can You Re-Carbonate Flat Soda?
✓ Yes — and it works well!
With DrinkMate: Flat soda can absolutely be re-carbonated. Day-old Coke gone flat? Pop it in the DrinkMate, carbonate, and it's fizzy again. Actually useful.
With SodaStream: Nope. Soda is sugary, overflow will happen.
Quick Reference: What Can You Carbonate?
| Beverage | SodaStream | DrinkMate | Worth Trying? |
|---|---|---|---|
| Water | ✓ Yes | ✓ Yes | Obviously yes |
| Juice | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | Yes, delicious |
| Wine | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | Yes, budget prosecco |
| Coffee | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | Try once |
| Flat soda | ✗ No | ✓ Yes | Yes, useful |
| Milk | ✗ No | ✗ Don't | God no |
| Spirits | ✗ No | ⚠️ Careful | Not recommended |
The Bottom Line
For water only: SodaStream or any standard machine works great.
For everything else: Get a DrinkMate. It's the only consumer machine designed to safely carbonate anything.
For milk: Just... don't. Some experiments are better left unperformed.
See also: Best Soda Maker for Cocktails · SodaStream vs DrinkMate