According to news reports on the ABC this morning, 2013 was Australia's hottest summer on record and 2014 is likely to be the same, if not hotter. With that in mind, I'm gearing up with a range of refreshing spritzers that are health-giving as well as thirst quenching and cooling.
We usually buy bottles of mineral water by the dozen, but thanks to the generosity of the people at SodaStream, Peter and I have a new SodaStream Drinks Maker sitting on our kitchen bench and have been enjoying fizzy water at the touch of a button. Powered, by a refillable CO2 canister, SodaStream Drinks Makers offer Australians a smart way to enjoy sparkling beverages transforming ordinary tap water into delicious carbonated drinks, cocktails and refreshing sparkling water in seconds.
So far, I've experimented with fresh lemon and lime juice with sparkling water, as well as a combination of cloudy apple juice with passionfruit juice and sparkling water (in preference to sweet syrups and cordials). The results have been delicious! Our favourite so far is this blood orange and raspberry spritzer, my own creation, of course! My citrus grower friend, Len from Redbelly, has kept me well supplied with his beautiful oranges, so I see more blood orange spritzers on the horizon this season. Cin cin. BLOOD ORANGE AND RASPBERRY SPRITZER 125g frozen raspberries* 200ml freshly squeezed blood orange juice, well chilled 200ml SodaStream soda water, well chilled sliced blood orange and mint sprig, to garnish (optional) Place the frozen raspberries in the jug of a blender. Add the well chilled blood orange juice and pulse until the fruit is pureed. Strain the mixture through a sieve, pushing the juice through into a chilled glass or jug. Discard the seeds. Top up with the fizzy water and serve. * Buy them cheaply by the bag or freeze them in quantity at the peak of the season. 
And now for the giveaway sponsored by SodaStream ...
This competition is now closed, the winners will be announced soon. Thank you to all who entered. The winners have been selected... congratulations to Vanessa and Francesca, both regular Good Things readers (and also both are subscribers). Thanks again to all who entered... and watch this space for more news and giveaways!
From SodaStream Australia, the world leader in home soda making, I have a fabulous giveaway for readers of Good Things. Two lucky readers will each win a SodaStream Play Drinks Maker, valued at RRP $99.00.
A fun, family-friendly Drinks Maker for everyday use, Play is minimal by design and ultra-simple to use, Allowing consumers to add a pop of personality to their home, the new Play will be available in six vibrant colours including brand new yellow and grey. Play is the first home carbonation system to feature the new “auto-lift” slider, along with the popular “snap-lock” mechanism, making it quick, simple and easy to use. Myles Anceschi, Managing Director of SodaStream Australia says: 'We’re thrilled to offer the Play Drinks Maker to Australian families. We understand that people want a product that is fun, yet can fit easily into the aesthetic of their living space. With SodaStream Play, families can get creative in the kitchen and enjoy great tasting, better-for-you sparkling drinks in seconds.' The introduction of Play follows the launch of the award-winning SodaStream Source in 2012. Yaron Kopel, Chief Innovation and Design Officer at SodaStream says: 'After a successful collaboration with renowned global designer Yves Béhar on the Source Drinks Maker, we decided to partner with him once again to create Play – a machine which maintains the design language of the Source family, but still has a clear identity, is priced lower and appeals to more segments of the market.' Details of the competition, terms and conditions...
To celebrate the launch of SodaStream Play, two Good Things readers will each win a SodaStream Play Drinks Maker!
To enter the competition, please subscribe to Good Things email updates via the box above RH side on my sidebar, (if you haven't already) and in the comments box below share with me in 50 words or less why you would like to win a SodaStream Play Drinks Maker or what flavours you might create. The entries will be judged according to originality and creativity (chance plays no part in determining the winner), and the winner will be notified by email. Please ensure you enter your current email address (one you check regularly!) with your comment/entry so you can be reached in the event you're selected as the winner. If the winning reader does not respond within 48 hours, Good Things will redraw the competition and select a new winner. Note: this competition is open to Australian readers only (with apologies to my overseas readers) and closes at midnight on Saturday, 11 October 2014 ADST. The prizes are sponsored by SodaStream Australia and will be posted direct to the two winners.
Jenny
30/9/2014 11:05:38 am
lizzie, thanks so much for your blog, I love having a good Canberra-based food blog. We returned to Canberra last year and live not far from you, so your local recommendations have been especially valuable for me.
Anna
30/9/2014 12:38:31 pm
Hi Lizzy,
Sue
30/9/2014 01:41:51 pm
We are planning an ocean voyage on our 48ft yacht which we are rebuilding. A soda stream would be ideal to save us carrying lots of plastic bottles specially once empty. I’d love lemon, lime or mango and would try other tropical fruits we would find on our travels.
Morgan
30/9/2014 01:48:25 pm
Well currently I am trying to switch my husband over to eating and drinking more healthy foods. He drinks way too much soft drink at the moment and I think this would be a great way to transition to drinking much less sugar. He loves elderflower cordial so I think I would make a passionfruit and elderflower drink with soda water. Thanks for the opportunity! 30/9/2014 02:06:54 pm
Your homemade spritzer sounds great! We drink a lot of seltzer, too. We've thought about making it at home, but have been too lazy to try. But we probably should! Sounds like fun, and I'll bet it tastes wonderful.
Jenny
30/9/2014 02:47:43 pm
Hi Liz, 30/9/2014 03:07:40 pm
I love your blog, Lizzy....for me, it is almost like having a history lesson about Australia. Being new to this country, I don't let go of a chance to watch programs or read anything pertaining to the history of this land and your blog is a true reflection of this country. Keep up the good work. 30/9/2014 06:20:32 pm
G’day Liz! 30/9/2014 08:24:00 pm
Ooh, what an exciting competition! Go for it, GoodThings readers! 30/9/2014 11:52:43 pm
Apple juice concentrate with a big splash of midori, topped up with fizzy, dizzy soda stream is the perfect drink for hot weather Lizzy! Any excuse for a cocktail :)
karina l
1/10/2014 03:44:42 am
I have been addicted to fizzy water ever since I got pregnant and my urge is still there! I need a Sodastream to make my life complete! 1/10/2014 09:26:44 am
Wow Liz, how pretty are these little fellows. I'm not going to enter this amazing competition because I think I'd give up eating & find ways to drink my food. I wonder if they come in pink..... mmmmm. 1/10/2014 11:40:15 am
Every time I'm at the shops, my son asks, 'Can we buy a Soda Stream'. So far I've resisted but they sure look like a great way to create cooling drinks over the summer xx
Lauren
2/10/2014 02:59:05 pm
My Aunt babysat myself and my brother as kids after school. Each summer afternoon we could choose a sodastream flavour - brings back so many fond memories. I'd like one so my kids could experience this too. To keep tradition, the flavour choices would be up to the kids!
Kim
3/10/2014 02:07:55 am
My husband had a Sodastream when he was a kid that he is always talking about, he thinks you can't be a kid without one! My daughter would just mix every different flavour together and be very happy! 4/10/2014 01:48:30 pm
How lucky are you and Peter? That is lovely. And the spritzer, too!
Helen
4/10/2014 08:31:24 pm
Ooh, I've been thinking of getting a soda stream for a while now - when the weather is hot and the sun is shining we love to drink sparking water with a twist of lime, but I do feel guilty about the extra packaging. Soda Stream seems the ideal solution!
Jocelyn R
4/10/2014 10:21:30 pm
I have a garden full of fresh herbs and citrus fruit. I'd love to win a Soda Stream to make fresh drinks/mocktails for hot nights sitting out while having friends and neighbours round for a BBQ. 5/10/2014 01:45:11 pm
It would be my dream,
Helena Leung
6/10/2014 01:02:02 pm
Once when I was little, my father told me that to make fizzy drinks, the factory workers had to fart into the water. This put me off sugary fizzy drinks till I was at least 13! Now I know better and can educate my kids on how to enjoy healthy, home made fizzy drinks. They love summery fruits like mango, lychees, watermelon and coconut. I can think of a million amazing fruit combinations that will keep them as happy as larry! (or Lizzy!) For an adult twist I will add mint, lime or even a kick of chilli :)
Sophie Martin
6/10/2014 03:47:19 pm
I love your recipes. I would adore the soda stream. Would have to do my favourite refreshing drink. Lemon honey ginger mint and rose water. You must try it Lizz. So refreshing 6/10/2014 03:55:48 pm
We could ditch the bought bottles & use our endless filtered tap water! I grew up with Soda Stream at my best friend's place during the 70s but now my 'pop' flavours turn to the herbs we grow such as carraway thyme w lemon, mint w lime & vanilla, rosemary w raspberry...they all go with gin too!
Karen
7/10/2014 06:00:28 pm
S-parkling
Karina L
7/10/2014 07:33:09 pm
I need an alternate replacement for my Coke addicted husband. A fizzy blend of mint, lime and apple water will keep him, and his teeth, healthy!
SANDY HORSFALL
8/10/2014 10:13:01 pm
WITH MY ELDEST SON BEING DIAGNOSED TYPE1 DIABETIC AGED 3, SUGAR-FREE SOFT-DRINKS ARE AN ESSENTIAL IN OUR HOUSEHOLD. HAVING OUR OWN SodaStream Play Drinks Maker COMBINED WITH THE SUGAR-FREE FLAVOURS, WOULD ENSURE SAFE, FRESH DRINKS ARE ALWAYS ON HAND!!
jody buhagiar
9/10/2014 10:57:49 am
I want to step back to my childhood when i would make fun fizzy drinks with my mum. We tried all concoctions with Soda stream and my favourite was mixing lemon and strawberry.
Rachael Lorenz
9/10/2014 11:07:10 pm
A SodaStream Play Drinks Maker would be just the delight to have on hand, to create fantastic mocktails such as the Halloween Witches Brew (2 parts SodaStream sugar free orange, 1 part SodaStream ginger ale, 1 part orange juice and 1 part pineapple juice).. All whilst debriefing with BizzyLizzy's latest!
Helen
10/10/2014 08:16:22 am
This would be perfect for my grandchildren. They live in a hot western Queensland town and drinking lots of water is a necessity. Soda Stream would make it fun for them and easy for their health conscious Mum to make endlessly yummy drinks.
Vanessa Monaghan
10/10/2014 10:14:43 am
Raises my hand as a soda water addict! I love it with lime, but your recipe sounds delicious so will definitely try that soon.
Kath Mayer
10/10/2014 06:15:30 pm
My Sodastream Play
Andrew
10/10/2014 09:01:01 pm
Read in a beatnik/slam poetry style: 10/10/2014 11:28:12 pm
The very cool SodaStream Play Drinks Maker deserves to be seen on a kitchen bench in Redcliffe, providing sparkling drinks to be consumed on a balcony overlooking the equally sparkling sea. Coupled with mango, pineapple, lychee and other luscious tropical fruits, it would make for perfect summer entertaining. Please, please! Comments are closed.
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Photo Jay Cranon, The Canberra Times
Hello. I'm Liz, a writer, cook and traveller based in Canberra, Australia.
Join me as I share with you my favourite recipes, postcards and morsels from my adventures, conversations with cookery writers and chefs, and news on food and cooking.  Search by topicNB: I use Australian standard measuring cups and spoons in my recipes.
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