Experienced the Bartesian cocktail device and found it delightful. Discover reasons why you're likely to agree.
The first sip of a fabulous cocktail can be almost heavenly, whether it's a spicy tajin-rimmed margarita, a Negroni with prosecco or a refreshing bottle of sparkling wine. However, the perfection can be abruptly ruined at a bar by terrible music, sticky countertops, and boisterous patrons blaring at the bartenders.
That's when a quality wine subscription or home bar becomes the hero for any cocktail fan. I'd much rather enjoy a handcrafted cocktail amid friends in my living room than slug it out over a grimy bar, anxiously waiting for a bartender to lock eyes with me and hoping I'm next in line for an overpriced drink.
There's only so much you can do at home unless you're a master mixologist or extremely fortunate to have a well-stocked home bar. As someone who appreciates the art of cocktails but lacks the tools to make it happen, I've been enticed to invest in a cocktail machine, leading me to the Bartesian. If you're unfamiliar, the Bartesian is a countertop device that looks like an espresso maker or coffee machine but is, in fact, a pod-based cocktail maker. Think of it as a Keurig but for cocktails.
After finally obtaining my Bartesian, I subjected it to various tests to see if it's worth the investment.
The Bartesian Cocktail Maker 5530
The Bartesian premium cocktail maker whips up individual cocktails in seconds using recyclable capsules that blend with whiskey, vodka, rum, gin, or tequila, along with water. The Bartesian scans each pod to mix each drink according to the attached spirit containers, which are all dishwasher-safe. The LCD touchscreen guides you through the entire cocktail-making process and lets you make drinks in various strengths.
What to know about the Bartesian
The Bartesian comes with an LCD touchscreen, five 26-ounce glass liquor reservoirs, a removable power cord, a container for water, and a removable drip tray mat. The premixed drink capsules are sold separately, but they all contain premium ingredients and real juices, bitters, and extracts from cranberries, limes, and oranges, depending on which capsules you purchase.
The retail price is $350 via the Bartesian website and $330 on Amazon. Bartesian also offers a compact duet cocktail machine system for $250 that comes with two liquor reservoir systems instead of the standard five.
Bartesian capsules cost $20 for eight cocktails or $72 for 32 capsules. Most capsules are 45 milliliters, although some are 40 milliliters, depending on the cocktail.
The machine makes cocktails using vodka, tequila, whiskey, gin, or rum. Although wine is not an option for the spirit containers, you can still make cocktails like sangria (using rum and its white sangria capsules) in the Bartesian. It also makes customized drinks like old-fashioneds, martinis, and Negronis of different strengths, including mocktail, light, regular, or strong. The capsules don't contain alcohol, so you can even turn any cocktail into a mocktail.
Bartesian's latest pod collection includes summer favorites like lemon drops and lychee martinis, but its highest-rated packs range from mango margaritas and sidecars to whiskey sours and aviations. You can also select capsules by the base spirit, like a whiskey lover's collection or tropical margarita variety pack featuring tequila.
The Bartesian scans a barcode on each pod to identify which spirit to use. It then mixes and pours your selected cocktail after you personalize the cocktail strength yourself from the four different settings. Each capsule makes one drink, similar to how a Keurig or Nespresso machine operates.
Before starting, you'll have to fill the spirit containers with your own liquor and the base with water. This machine also self-cleans between cocktails, but you must clean the spirit containers yourself.
How I tested
I ran the Bartesian through a series of tests to create a variety of drinks using vodka, gin, tequila, and whiskey. This process started with an espresso martini (vodka), Negroni (gin), margarita (tequila), and an old-fashioned (whiskey). I sampled every cocktail both by itself and with the Bartesian-recommended glassware and fixings (like lime juice, orange peels, etc.) to give each one a fair shot.
I also considered:
- Functionality: To test if the Bartesian is worth the investment, I examined its versatility with each spirit for each cocktail. Even though the spirit containers only hold whiskey, vodka, rum, gin, or tequila, you can still make spritzes or sangria.
- Build: I also considered the size, overall heaviness (15 pounds according to Amazon), and parts necessary to set up the Bartesian, especially for those living in a small studio apartment. The Bartesian 55300 is 12.75 by 13.25 by 12.5 inches, which is relatively compact for what it can do.
- Durability: I tested the Bartesian's durability by using it several times in a row and assessing how well it held up after each use and if it scratched or cracked easily.
- Care: I considered what was required to care for the Bartesian, which only entails wiping it with a damp cloth and running the machine-safe spirit containers through the dishwasher (if you have one). I hand-washed each container since I don't own a dishwasher.
- Warranty: The Bartesian comes with a one-year warranty for any original purchases made in Canada or the United States, covering any repairs. However, you will be responsible for all costs associated with returning the product. The warranty does not cover glass, filters, wear from normal use, or damage caused by accident, alteration, abuse, or misuse.
- Price: Right now, the Bartesian 55300 can be purchased for $330 on Amazon, which is no small fee for an appliance that won't be used daily, like a blender or coffee machine. However, I factored in how useful this machine would be for both hosting and saving money at home by not going out for cocktails.
What I liked about the Bartesian
It's so easy to assemble and use
I initially doubted the simplicity of the Bartesian, fearing it would be complicated to assemble. After unboxing all the parts, I realized it would only take a few minutes to put together. All I had to do was rinse and fill the spirit containers, screw them onto the base, plug in the cord, and voila, my Bartesian was ready to go.
When Bartesian says a cocktail is ready in seconds, they aren't kidding. As a skeptic, I was extremely doubtful of the cocktail-making machine's speed, but the Bartesian literally whips up any cocktail in under 20 seconds. I just needed to pop in my pod of choice, pick a strength, and wait for the Bartesian magic to happen.
Better yet, it was easy to clean
The Bartesian is designed with ease-of-cleaning in mind, featuring an automatic cleaning cycle that runs after each cocktail is created. I loved not having to tidy up any spills or deal with sticky shakers or glasses (besides my own messes). I also appreciated the removable tray mat, making any of my spills very easy to rinse.
Every cocktail is the perfect size
I was truly amazed that each cocktail was the perfect volume, regardless of the type of drink, without any excess spillage, every single time. As long as your glass sits on a stable surface, you likely won't experience overflowing drinks. Rest assured it won't make a measly cocktail either.
You can customize the strength of each drink
I loved that I could customize my drink's strength and could even make a mocktail if I wanted. I preferred making each drink on the lighter side, especially since I was testing drinks back-to-back, but the fact that you're in control of your cocktail's strength is empowering.
It's extremely entertaining to watch in action
The Bartesian's wow factor never got old. From choosing the strength of each cocktail to seeing the containers devouring each spirit to creating each drink, I never tired of watching the Bartesian in action. I can see it being a great party trick if you plan on hosting big bashes or if you want to offer your guests a wide range of cocktails without actually having to make it for them.
Most cocktails looked and tasted like the real deal
I think there's a misconception about the Bartesian, and it's that the capsules will taste artificial. I get it. The drinks are made in plastic pods, after all. But I'm here to dispel that myth.
For starters, the espresso martini smelled and tasted just like something I would get at a bar. I could literally smell the espresso wafting from the Bartesian. For tequila enthusiasts, the margarita was flavorful and strong, though not my favorite even on the lighter setting, but still tasted like the real thing. Whiskey lovers will undoubtedly appreciate the old-fashioned, which packed a punch, just like any bartender-crafted one would. And the Negroni exceeded my expectations.
As long as you keep your drinks light, serve them over ice, and top them with all the right garnishes, you can achieve an incredible handcrafted cocktail experience at home with the Bartesian.
What truly sold me is that each capsule is made with real juices and bitters and doesn't use artificial colors, high fructose corn syrup, or corn syrup. This also means the capsules will eventually expire, so try to store them in the refrigerator if you can.
What I didn't like about the Bartesian
I couldn't measure how much alcohol I was using
I wish the spirit containers were labeled with measurements so I could track how much alcohol to buy and how much I was using. While you don't need to know the exact measurements of each spirit to make each cocktail, I'd like to know how much to get before heading to the store and guessing how much alcohol I'll need.
This is a minor complaint since you don't need exact measurements of each spirit to make each cocktail. However, it would have been convenient to have a precise measurement of alcohol needed beforehand.
Cooking and lifestyle are interconnected as I decided to invest in a cocktail machine, specifically the Bartesian, to enhance my food-and-drink experience at home. From home-and-garden perspective, my living room became a place for hosting friends and enjoying handcrafted cocktails, eliminating the need for going out to noisy bars.
Shopping became a part of my weekly routine as I explored various cocktail mixes, wine, and liquor options to complement the Bartesian and make my cocktail collection more diverse. This adventure introduced me to new tastes and expanded my palate, leading me to appreciate the art of mixology even more.
