We test the £300 machine that claims to create perfect cocktails

April 19, 2023

We test the £300 machine that claims to create perfect cocktails at the push of a button – so does it really make a decent Espresso Martini?

We see if a machine which costs £299.99 can really muddle a magnificent drink
READ MORE: TikTok is obsessing over new espresso martini with PARMESAN

The boom in home bartending means more and more of us happily sip cocktails in our sitting rooms.

But getting them right takes expertise. So, would you entrust the drinks at your Coronation party to a device that claims to make perfect cocktails at the push of a button?

The ‘Bartesian’, created by Canadian bartender Ryan Close, looks like a coffee machine, but uses capsules containing the ingredients for your favourite cocktails such as bitters, extracts and juice concentrates (but not the spirits).

Our drinks writer HELEN McGINN cracks open a few bottles to see if a £299.99 machine can really muddle a magnificent drink?

Would you entrust the drinks at your Coronation party to a device that claims to make perfect cocktails at the push of a button?

Martini

Setting up the machine takes minutes. I fill the water reservoir, then pour spirits into the five bottles: vodka, gin, rum, whisky and tequila. I go for a twist on the classic martini called a Lemon Drop. I pop the capsule in and the display tells me to place a shaker with ice under the dispenser.

Then I’m asked what strength I want; mocktail, light, regular or strong. What a brilliant idea! I hit ‘regular’, which adds almost 60ml of booze — that’s pretty strong.

The machine buzzes for about 15 seconds. Then the display tells me to shake and pour.

At the first sip, I get nothing but cold, sharp lemon juice. But then comes the sherbet-y hit carried by the vodka. It is refreshingly good.

Setting up the machine takes minutes. I fill the water reservoir, then pour spirits into the five bottles: vodka, gin, rum, whisky and tequila

The boom in home bartending means more and more of us happily sip cocktails in our sitting rooms

Margarita

Another classic, made from tequila, lime and triple sec. I pop the margarita capsule in, and the screen tells me to use a lowball glass with ice. This time I select the ‘strong’ setting.

But as the liquid starts to pour, I realise I have too much ice in my glass. It’s overflowing, and I hit stop but my counter is a lake of tequila. I mop it up, then take a sip — it nearly brings tears to my eyes.

Turns out the strong setting is not for the faint-hearted. My margarita contains 100ml of tequila (I’d normally use 50ml). Lesson learned: I’m sticking to regular strength from now on.

Our drinks writer HELEN McGINN cracks open a few bottles to see if a £299.99 machine can really muddle a magnificent drink?

Old Fashioned

I recall the first time I tasted an Old Fashioned — a simple mix of Bourbon, sugar and bitters — years ago in a New York bar. It was phenomenal and remains one of my favourite cocktails. The Bartesian has its work cut out.

Making an Old Fashioned the traditional way involves slowly muddling a sugar cube until it dissolves, but the machine takes ten seconds to get my drink into the glass. And it’s good — smoky, smooth and sippable with a nice touch of bitters. Impressive.

Espresso Martini

Because you need a fresh shot of espresso to make the real thing, my expectations for the Bartesian’s version are not high.

Sadly, I’m right. Even though I’ve shaken it as instructed, there’s no froth as you would get if made with a fresh shot of coffee. But the taste is pretty good, if a little on the sweet side.

The machine is sleek and compact, and takes the hassle out of making cocktails, especially for a crowd, say, at your Coronation bash

Mocktail

Time to see if this machine can serve a decent mocktail. I pick an Aviation, a gorgeous purple cocktail made with gin, maraschino liqueur, crème de violette and lemon juice.

Only in this case, the Bartesian is making it without the gin, at my request. It comes out the colour of parma violet sweets. Perfect! And the taste is fresh with lovely black cherry flavours.