Fizzy Water at Home: 3 Ways to Make It (and Which Is Cheapest)

Last Updated: April 23, 2026

Want fizzy water at home but not sure which method to use? There are three main ways to make it. A soda maker costs Rs 5-10 per litre and gives the best fizz. The baking soda method costs Rs 2-3 per litre but has a weird taste. Buying bottled costs Rs 40-200 per litre and creates plastic waste. Let us compare all three so you can pick the best one for your needs.

Method 1: Soda Maker with CO2 Capsules

The best option for daily use. Fresh fizz, good taste, low cost.

A soda maker pushes food-grade CO2 into cold water. The result is clean, crisp sparkling water that tastes just like bottled brands.

How It Works

1. Fill the bottle with cold filtered water.
2. Screw it onto the soda maker unit.
3. Insert a small 8g CO2 capsule.
4. Press down. The CO2 dissolves into the water.
5. Wait 5 seconds. Unscrew. Done.

Numbers

• Upfront cost: Rs 2,199 for the InstaCuppa Portable Soda Maker
• Per litre cost: Rs 5-10 (one capsule per litre)
• Fizz quality: Strong, adjustable, lasts well in sealed bottle
• Taste: Clean — just water and CO2
• Convenience: 30 seconds per litre

Pros

• Best taste — clean and neutral
• Adjustable fizz strength
• No electricity needed
• Portable — use it anywhere
• Cheapest per litre for daily use (after the initial purchase)

Cons

• Upfront cost of Rs 2,199
• Need to buy CO2 capsule refills regularly

Method 2: Baking Soda + Citric Acid (DIY Chemistry)

The cheapest method. But the taste is not great and the fizz is weak.

This is the science experiment approach. When baking soda (sodium bicarbonate) meets citric acid in water, it produces CO2 gas. That CO2 creates bubbles.

How It Works

1. Take 250ml of cold water in a glass.
2. Add half a teaspoon of baking soda. Stir until it dissolves.
3. Add half a teaspoon of citric acid.
4. It will fizz immediately. Drink it right away.

Numbers

• Upfront cost: Rs 50-100 (baking soda + citric acid packets)
• Per litre cost: Rs 2-3
• Fizz quality: Weak and short-lived
• Taste: Slightly salty and metallic due to sodium
• Convenience: Quick but messy

Pros

• Super cheap — Rs 2-3 per litre
• No special equipment needed
• Fun science experiment for kids

Cons

• Taste is not great — salty and slightly chemical
• Fizz is weak and disappears fast
• Adds sodium to your diet (not great for blood pressure)
• Hard to control fizz strength
• Not good for daily use — the taste gets old fast

Method 3: Buy Bottled Sparkling Water

Zero effort. But expensive, wasteful, and the fizz may be stale.

Walk into a store, pick up a bottle, pay. Simple. But this is by far the most expensive way to get fizzy water.

Numbers

• Upfront cost: Rs 0 (nothing to buy)
• Per litre cost: Rs 40-200 depending on brand
• Fizz quality: Varies — often weaker than fresh due to shelf time
• Taste: Good (especially premium brands)
• Convenience: Just open and pour

Popular Brands in India

Pros

• No effort at all
• Premium brands taste excellent
• Available almost everywhere

Cons

• Most expensive option by far
• Creates plastic waste (unless glass bottles)
• Fizz may be weaker due to shelf time and transport
• Need to keep buying — no one-time purchase

The Big Comparison: Which Method Wins?

Soda maker wins for daily use. Baking soda is fun but impractical. Bottled is a luxury.

The Verdict: Which Should You Choose?

If you drink fizzy water more than twice a week, buy a soda maker. It pays for itself in a month.

The InstaCuppa Portable Soda Maker at Rs 2,199 is the best value for Indian homes. It needs no electricity, makes fresh fizz in 30 seconds, and costs Rs 5-10 per litre. Over a year, a family of four saves Rs 25,000-50,000 compared to buying bottled sparkling water.

The baking soda method? Try it once for fun. Show your kids the chemistry. But do not use it daily — the taste and sodium levels are not ideal.

Bottled sparkling water? Great for the occasional treat. But as a daily drink, the cost and plastic waste add up fast.

For recipe ideas once you have your soda maker, check our 10 sparkling water recipes and masala soda recipe.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is baking soda sparkling water safe to drink daily?

It is safe in small amounts. But daily use adds extra sodium to your diet, which is not good for blood pressure. A soda maker is a better choice for daily fizzy water.

Can I use a SodaStream in India?

You can, but finding CO2 cylinder refills outside metros is hard. The InstaCuppa uses small capsules that ship to your door — much easier in India.

Which method makes the strongest fizz?

A soda maker. You can press multiple times for extra fizz. Baking soda makes the weakest fizz. Bottled varies by brand.

How much does it cost to make fizzy water at home per month?

With a soda maker: Rs 300-600 per month (2 litres per day). With bottled: Rs 2,400-12,000 per month. The difference is huge.

Does homemade fizzy water taste the same as Perrier?

Very close. Perrier has natural minerals from its spring source, so the taste is slightly different. But most people cannot tell the difference in a blind test.

InstaCuppa Portable Soda Maker

Make sparkling water & soda at home. Portable, no electricity needed, CO2 capsule system.

Rs 2,499

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