Breville The Drink Maker Review: Is This Premium Soda Maker Worth It?
For sparkling water, sodas, and creative cocktails at home, a high-quality soda maker is essential for beverage enthusiasts. Breville’s The Drink Maker (formerly known as the Breville InFizz Fusion) aims to elevate the carbonation experience beyond standard models with premium build quality, precision engineering, and unique features. We spent weeks hands-on with the Breville to determine whether it’s worth the extra investment for home carbonation fans or if a less expensive soda maker will do just as well.
Why Choose the Breville The Drink Maker?
If you’ve tried basic soda makers, you’ll likely notice their limitations: they typically only carbonate water, may have generic build quality, and offer minimal control over carbonation strength. Breville sought to address these limitations by offering:
- Robust, Stainless Steel Construction — Designed for longevity and modern kitchen aesthetics.
- Versatile Carbonation — Claims to carbonate not only water but also juices, wine, and cocktails.
- Pressure Release System — An integrated valve to safely vent built-up pressure, especially crucial when carbonating liquids beyond water.
- Compatible with Standard CO2 Cartridges — Uses widely available CO2 canisters, not proprietary systems.
Key Features and Specifications
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Material | Brushed stainless steel body and sturdy plastic accents |
| Carbonation Options | Water, juice, wine, cocktails (non-pulp and low-sugar recommended) |
| Pressure Valve | Manual release lever for safe venting |
| Bottle Capacity | One-liter BPA-free Tritan bottle (dishwasher-safe) |
| CO2 Compatibility | Standard 60-liter CO2 cartridges |
| Price | Premium price tier (often $150+) |
Testing the Breville Drink Maker
To determine if Breville’s soda maker deserves its high-end reputation, we evaluated its design, ease of use, carbonation performance, versatility, cleaning and maintenance, and value for money.
Design and Build Quality
The first thing you’ll notice is the Drink Maker’s weight and feel — it’s heavy, substantial, and looks built to last. The brushed stainless finish resists fingerprints and fits right in with modern appliances. The one-liter bottle locks securely during carbonation, and the base sits firmly, reducing wobble even when pressing the carbonation lever.
- Pros: Premium materials; elegant finish; intuitive controls.
- Cons: Takes up counter space; heavier than plastic models.
Ease of Use
Breville simplifies the carbonation process with clear instructions and intuitive mechanics. Fill the bottle no higher than the marked line, screw it into the machine, and press the lever for carbonation. The pressure-release valve is a standout: after carbonating, you move the lever to let off built-up pressure gradually, which is crucial when carbonating anything besides water.
- Carbonating water: Effortless and quick; results in highly fizzy water within seconds.
- Other liquids: Carbonates juices, cocktails, or wine, but requires careful venting to avoid overflow or mess.
Performance: How Well Does It Carbonate?
The secret to top-quality sparkling water lies in how fine and persistent the bubbles are. The Drink Maker excelled here: water turned out crisp and effervescent, easily comparable to leading bottled brands. We tested multiple carbonation levels by pressing the lever multiple times; three presses gave highly bubbly drinks without excessive pressure buildup.
For juices and cocktails, Breville delivered solid carbonation — non-pulp juices performed best, and simple cocktails (like tequila soda) gained lively fizz. Wines and homemade sodas also carbonated successfully, although drinks with high sugar or pulp resulted in foaming and required very slow pressure release.
- Water carbonation: Excellent, with customizable fizz.
- Juices: Works well for clear, low-pulp varieties.
- Wine and cocktails: Adds gentle sparkle; avoid thick or pulpy mixtures.
- Homemade sodas: Fun and effective if ingredients are carefully chosen.
Cleaning and Maintenance
The Drink Maker’s bottle is dishwasher safe, making routine cleaning easy. The machine itself requires occasional wiping, especially near the pressure release port. Breville’s manual recommends rinsing the bottle thoroughly after carbonating drinks other than water to prevent residue buildup.
- Bottle: Top-rack dishwasher safe.
- Machine exterior: Wipe with a damp cloth.
- Valve: Ensure it’s clean after every use, especially when carbonating sweet liquids.
Versatility: Beyond Water
This is where Breville’s offering stands out versus most competitors. While other soda makers advise only carbonating water, The Drink Maker provides the safety and engineering needed to safely carbonate a range of beverages. The manual explicitly encourages experimentation but cautions against thick, pulpy, or sugary drinks that may clog or foam profusely during pressure release.
- Allows for sparkling juices, wine-based spritzers, and cocktail experimentation.
- Pressure-release lever makes it possible to avoid dangerous pressure buildup.
- However, clean-up is more involved when carbonating anything aside from water.
Comparisons: Breville vs. Other Soda Makers
How does Breville stack up against leading competitors like SodaStream and Aarke?
| Feature | Breville Drink Maker | SodaStream | Aarke Carbonator |
|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Stainless steel/plastic | Plastic/metal | All-metal |
| Carbonation Versatility | Water, juice, wine, cocktails | Water only | Water only |
| Pressure Release | Manual valve | None | None |
| Bottle Capacity | 1L | 0.5L to 1L | 0.8L to 1L |
| Price | Premium ($150+) | Budget ($80+) | Premium ($130+) |
Breville’s safety features and versatility make it the strongest choice for experimenters who want to carbonate more than just water. Its build and feel are competitive with Aarke, but Breville’s unique manual venting makes it the only option for safely sparkling juice and cocktails.
Possible Downsides
No kitchen appliance is perfect. While Breville’s The Drink Maker shines in most respects, a few potential drawbacks are worth mentioning:
- High cost compared to basic soda makers.
- Larger and heavier than basic plastic models; more suited to permanent countertop storage.
- Pressure-release step adds complexity (important for non-water carbonation).
- Not recommended for very sweet, pulpy, or dairy-based drinks.
Is the Breville Drink Maker Worth Buying?
If you crave customizable, ultra-bubbly sparkling water and want a machine that can safely carbonate juices, wines, and cocktails, Breville The Drink Maker is unmatched. Its engineering allows for creative, safe beverage crafting beyond rival machines. The bottle and valve design support adventurous home mixology, while its premium materials promise years of reliable service.
For those who only want occasional sparkling water and prefer spend less, standard soda makers remain a viable choice. But for serious beverage fans, experimenters, or those who value aesthetics and durable construction, Breville’s machine delivers impressive value.
Tips for Using Breville The Drink Maker
- Use very cold water for best carbonation; keep bottles in the fridge before use.
- Press the carbonation lever multiple times for extra fizz—experiment to find your preferred strength.
- If carbonating juices or cocktails, vent slowly with the pressure-release lever to prevent messy spills.
- Clean the bottle thoroughly after carbonating anything but water.
- Stick to non-pulp, unsweetened drinks for best results, especially when experimenting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can Breville The Drink Maker carbonate any beverage?
A: Breville recommends use with water, juice, wine, or cocktails. Avoid thick, pulpy, or very sweet drinks as they can cause foaming or clogging.
Q: Are CO2 cartridges included?
A: Typically, the machine does not ship with a cartridge. Standard 60L cartridges compatible with other machines are sold separately.
Q: Is the bottle dishwasher safe?
A: Yes, the BPA-free Tritan bottle is designed for top-rack dishwasher cleaning.
Q: How do I safely release pressure after carbonating?
A: Use the integrated valve lever to slowly vent excess pressure after carbonating, especially with beverages other than water.
Q: Does it make soda or just sparkling water?
A: You can carbonate plain water for sparkling and experiment with juices, syrups, and cocktail recipes to make flavored sodas, provided you follow the manual’s guidelines for safe use.
Conclusion
Breville The Drink Maker is built for the beverage enthusiast who wants consistent, brilliant sparkling water and the option to specialize with homemade sodas and cocktails. The safety, engineering, and flexibility are best-in-class, making it a sound investment for serious home mixologists and sparkle fans. While the price is premium, so too are the results. If you’re ready to explore the full spectrum of home carbonation, Breville’s offering is both versatile and reliable, elevating everyday hydration to celebration-ready effervescence.
