The Bartesian Cocktail Maker is 20% Off, Here's Why It's Worth It

POPSUGAR Photography | Anvita Reddy
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Some people love beer, some are wine connoisseurs, some can't live without their hard seltzers, and others like hard liquor on the rocks (kudos to you) — well, I love my cocktails. They make me feel like I'm on vacation or at a swanky bar, even if it's just for a moment in my head. Craft cocktails are yummy and flavorful, but honestly, they are hard to make at home and messy. Mixology is no joke; even if you have the skills, you might not have the right ingredients readily available. That's why when I found out about the Bartesian Premium Cocktail Maker ($295, originally $370), I had to try it out. Let me tell you, this is one of the coolest gadgets I've ever tried, and I need another one. The Bartesian is worth the hype and is the perfect addition for holiday hosting.

The Bartesian is very user-friendly and has a simple setup. Create some counter space and place the machine in its designated spot near an outlet. Fill the five spirit containers according to the labels with the spirit brand of your choice. Since there are only four spots, the machine will let you swap out the gin and rum containers. In fact, it reminds you to swap out the gin and the rum containers when making cocktails that require those bases. Once you rinse out and fill the back container with water, your Bartesian is ready. It takes longer to decide your craft cocktail of choice than for the machine to create it.

Step 1: Glass Prep and Pod Choice
POPSUGAR Photography | Anvita Reddy

Step 1: Glass Prep and Pod Choice

Prep your glass with ice and any fancy garnishes of your choice and place it under the spout. The Bartesian comes with a wide array of pods that you can use to create your favorite craft cocktails at home. Each pod contains all the bitters, extracts, juice concentrates, and the rest of the works that you would traditionally have to buy separately. You can choose from the classic collection, whiskey sour, sex on the beach, margarita, rum breeze, gin martini, cosmopolitan and more.

Step 2: Drink Strength
POPSUGAR Photography | Anvita Reddy

Step 2: Drink Strength

The Bartesian lets you customize your drink strength and even lets you create mocktails, so everyone can enjoy using the cool gadget.

Step 3: Watch the Bartesian Do All the Work For You
POPSUGAR Photography | Anvita Reddy

Step 3: Watch the Bartesian Do All the Work For You

The Bartesian scans the barcode on the pod to identify which liquor to choose; for example, a lemon drop usually contains vodka, so it pulls from the vodka container. It mixes the alcohol, cocktail concentrate, and water all together to create your drink in less than 45 seconds. Once it's done, just recycle the pod and enjoy your drink. Yes, the pods are recyclable!

Bartesian Premium Cocktail and Margarita Machine
POPSUGAR Photography | Anvita Reddy

Bartesian Premium Cocktail and Margarita Machine

Not only is this the coolest machine to ever exist, it's fantastic for entertaining. Throw the pods in a bowl or display them neatly next to the machine, and guests can simply choose a pod and make their own drinks instantly. You don't have to worry about being the bartender, and everyone gets a high-quality craft cocktail or mocktail without the hard work and mess. You can even use the Bartesian outdoors, as long as you have a proper outlet or appropriate extension cords. Just imagine popping in a mai tai pod and lounging by the pool — it's a total summer vibe.

Bartesian Hacks
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Bartesian Hacks

Look, I hate whiskey and gin, and I'm not the greatest fan of vodka and tequila. So I decided to fill all four spirit containers of the Bartesian with different types of rum, and it worked like a charm. You can either fill all the spirit containers up with a hard liquor of your choice or you can swap out the bottles to truly customize your drink. If you want a cosmopolitan with rum, swap the rum and vodka spirit containers.

Top off your drinks with seltzer, tonic water, or Champagne for a refreshing sparkling drink.

The alcohol is mixed in with water and concentrate, so don't worry about using expensive alcohol to fill the spirit containers. Please do not use Glenlivet instead of Jack Daniel's in the whiskey spirit container or Clase Azul tequila instead of Jose Cuervo.

Prep your glass or drinkware with ice and garnishes before you use the machine, otherwise it gets a bit messy.

Bartesian Premium Cocktail Machine
POPSUGAR Photography | Anvita Reddy

Bartesian Premium Cocktail Machine

I highly recommend getting the Bartesian Premium Cocktail Machine if you love to drink and entertain. It makes for a great gift, whether it's for the holiday season, Mother's Day, Father's Day, a recent grad, newlyweds, or birthdays. Honestly, just treat yourself too! Although it's a splurge, it's something that will get used often if you love a good drink. It's a gadget that everyone can enjoy.