Drinkmate

The Art of the Backyard Carbonation Hack Forget the high-end status symbols and overpriced bottles. Real champagne comes from a specific region in France, but bubbles are just carbon dioxide. You can bypass the snobbery and turn the cheapest bottle of flat white wine into a bubbly, refreshing drink right on your workbench. This quick guide details how to force-carbonate cheap wine using a home beverage carbonator. Hardware for the Job To build your own carbonated beverage, you will need a few basic tools: * A bottle of cheap, still white wine * A Drinkmate carbonator machine * A compatible carbonation bottle and pressure cap * A standard carbon dioxide (CO2) cylinder Step-by-Step Gas Injection 1. **Transfer the Liquid**: Pour the entire bottle of cheap wine directly into the Drinkmate carbonation bottle. 2. **Seal the Vessel**: Screw the specialized carbonation cap tightly onto the bottle. 3. **Lock and Load**: Slide and snap the bottle assembly into the Drinkmate bayonet mount. 4. **Inject the Gas**: Press the carbonation button. Give it three long, firm pulses of CO2. 5. **Agitate**: Remove the bottle and shake it thoroughly to force the gas to dissolve into the liquid. Managing the Pressure Release Because wine contains sugars and proteins, it will foam violently when agitated. Do not just rip the cap off. Lift the slow-release valve on the cap to let the pressure bleed off slowly. If the foam rises too close to the valve, close it immediately, wait for the head to settle, and resume. Once the pressure hiss stops entirely, remove the cap and pour your DIY sparkling wine into a glass.