Has anyone ever tried to use a soda stream to force carbonate Hard Cider?

[Mr Agsy]

Hi just wondering what your thoughts are on using a soda stream to carbonate your Home brew cider?

I've just made some black current and apple cider but I'm now faced with the dilemma of back sweetening..I know I could use some natural  non fermentable sweeteners  such as stevia but I understand it can leave an off after-taste. I was thinking off cold crashing after fermenting has finished then adding some fruit juice concentrate to put some sweetness back into my cider then Use a soda stream to carbonate and then bottle..Any thoughts much appreciated...

[Samuel Loader]

Stevia can leave a chemically bitterness in the after taste when used in higher concentrations, so back sweetening with some concentrate is probably the easiest . soda is generally a lot more carbonated so if you don't mind a higher carbonation than what you would typically find in a sparkling cider then it will be all good.

[Crusader-Rob]

Backsweeten with Splenda.

[Mr Agsy]

I don't really want to use an artificial sweeter mate..There has been a few safety concerns raised recently about artificial sweeteners such as aspartame etc..

I just came across this article  http://articles.mercola.com/sites/articles/archive/2000/12/03/sucra...

[Andrew]

Mercola is far from correct on Aspartame. It's perfectly safe for most people. You can cross that off as a reason not to use it. I wouldn't know about after taste etc though, but do about its safety. :)

[Mr Agsy]

Thanks for reply mate, Yes I thought it might leave a strange aftertaste . I think it's around 300 times sweeter than sugar so that will be why you get a chemical bitterness.. I saw some people on youtube carbonate some of their home brew lagers using a soda stream with positive results, but I've not found anyone using it for cider yet.. I suppose I will just need to give it a try myself..