Ask the Collective
The questions independent drinks founders ask most — answered. Distilled from years of community knowledge so the good stuff never disappears in the feed again.
What carbonation level (g/L) should RTD sparkling spirits target to match prosecco or sparkling wine?
Members recommend targeting **5–5.2 g/L** for pasteurised RTD sparkling spirits, though this falls slightly short of true sparkling wine levels. **Key guidance:** - **Sparkling wine legal minimum** — must be over 6 g/L to be classed as sparkling; prosecco and similar typically sit at **6–7.5 g/L** - **Pasteurised product ceiling** — members report that **5.2 g/L is approximately the maximum** achievable when pasteurising, due to carbonation loss during the heat process - **5 g/L as practical compromise** — members suggest **around 5 g/L is sufficient** for an RTD sparkling spirit, acknowledging it won't quite match prosecco but will feel appropriately carbonated for the category - **Bottles vs. cans** — better carbonation retention is possible in glass bottles versus cans, and post-pasteurisation carbonation injection can help, but pasteurisation itself remains the limiting factor - **Non-pasteurised option** — if pasteurisation can be avoided, higher levels (6–7.5 g/L) become achievable, but this requires different preservation methods **Caveat:** The gap between achievable (5–5.2 g/L) and aspirational (6–7.5 g/L) is a known trade-off when pasteurising. Members accepted 5 g/L as workable rather than pursuing the full prosecco experience.
What are the challenges when using SodaStream for cocktails, and which models work best?
SodaStream can work for carbonating cocktails but requires careful technique to avoid failure. The main risk is catastrophic carbonation bursts (members described "VERY poorly" outcomes), which are largely temperature-dependent. **Key considerations:** - **Temperature is critical** — cocktails must be as cold as possible before carbonation. One member tried at room temperature and experienced a failed carbonation event; chilling the liquid significantly reduces this risk. - **Model matters** — the **SodaStream Duo** and **SodaStream Terra** have both been tried by members, with the Duo noted as a commonly-recommended option for this use case. - **Not as refined as professional equipment** — members noted this is a casual home approach, lacking the precision of commercial carbonation methods (one member jokingly compared the result to a Ramos fizz, implying rough rather than elegant carbonation). **Caveat:** Success is inconsistent even with cold liquid, so this is an experimental tactic rather than a reliable production method. Members described results as hit-or-miss.
Who can provide co-packing services for carbonation and filling into small format bottles and cans?
Members seeking co-packing for carbonation and filling have limited but confirmed options. - **Somerset Cider Solutions** — recommended for carbonation and filling services into glass bottles The community discussion also shows demand for fillers handling small format cans (150ml, 200ml, 250ml sizes), but no specific supplier recommendations were provided in the excerpts for can-filling services. Caveats: The discussion suggests co-packing capacity in the UK for small formats may be tight. Members are actively searching for additional providers, indicating supply constraints in this space.