Back in the day, guys used to make their own seltzer or soda water to drink - or to mix into drinks - by shooting CO2 into water bottles. (If you've ever seen a Three Stooges movie, you've seen the device they used.) They could control the amount of fizz depending on how many squirts of gas they put in, and add flavors to punch up the taste.

If you want to do the same at home, for about half of what it costs to buy soda, try the Soda-Club. We gave one a shot at the BG Test Kitchen and found it's pretty quick and easy to mix up a batch of homemade soda.

Simply fill the carbonating bottle with water, screw it into the machine and press the button to release a shpritz of CO2. The more you press, the fizzier the water. If seltzer's not your thing, add in a capful of the soda syrup or flavor essence of your choice. Or squeeze in fresh lemons, limes, oranges or berries. You control the fizz. You control the taste. A little tweaking and experimenting with different batches can yield you the perfect afternoon drink, or mixer for your cocktails.

And if going green is part of your new lifestyle, making your own soda at home eliminates the mountain of plastic bottles and aluminum cans you toss every week. Even the CO2 cartridge that contains enough fizz for 110 liters of soda can be exchanged for one that has been cleaned, inspected and refilled. Plus the machine uses no electricity or batteries to run. Which means it's great for tailgating, camping, or out on the boat. Anywhere storage space is at a premium.

Complete kits start at $79.99
www.sodaclubusa.com