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If you’ve ever hosted a party and found yourself stuck mixing drinks instead of enjoying time with your guests, you’ll appreciate why the Bartesian is such a game-changing invention. The Bartesian cocktail machine makes adult beverages that you can enjoy as a mocktail or with alcohol. It works by purchasing the cocktail capsules of your choice and then filling the included glass bottles with alcohol. Once you insert the capsule into the machine, you select how strong you want your drink and the machine whips it up for you. It even suggests how to serve it.
Here at the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, we've tested several versions of the Bartesian, ranging from the original Premium Cocktail Machine and Professional Cocktail Machine to the Bartesian Duet which is a smaller version. To test, members of our team created a range of drinks, from mocktails to Cosmopolitans, at varying alcohol intensities to cater to different drink preferences. We also consider the machine's ease of use, the intuitiveness of the functions and more. To take it a step further, we received feedback from consumer testers who have been using it in their own homes.
What is the Bartesian?
Bartesian Premium Cocktail Machine
Pros
- Easy-to-use controls and functions
- Eliminates the need to buy multiple ingredients for cocktails
- Over 60 drink capsule options
Cons
- Bulky
- Some cocktails are sugary
| Dimensions | 12.75" x 13.25" x 12.5" |
|---|---|
| What's included | 5 glass alcohol bottles and bar mat |
Think of the Bartesian as a Nespresso for cocktails. The machine uses alcohol-free capsules that include the exact ingredients for each drink, so you don't have to purchase mixes and syrups. The capsules mix with your favorite alcohol bases, from tequila to whiskey. The Bartesian comes with five dishwasher-safe glass bottles for alcohols that you place around the brewing area. You can fill them with different types of alcohol like vodka, gin and rum. However, you can only insert four bottles into the machine at a time.
Each bottle lid is pre-labeled with the type of alcohol to indicate which is which when adding it to its designated area of the machine (don't worry, the machine itself also has labels, so there is no confusion about where your gin or vodka should go). There is also a water tank located in the back of the machine, which is dispensed when making cocktails and cleans out the capsule chamber after each use, so flavors don't mix when making different drinks.
Once the alcohols are added to the machine, you pick and insert a capsule, which is automatically mixed with your alcohol base. The machine has a digital screen that displays step-by-step instructions, telling you when to add the capsule and when to close the lid. It will even tell you what type of glass or shaker to grab and when to add ice. When making your drink, the Bartesian automatically knows which alcohol to add by reading the barcode on the capsule; the only thing that you have to choose is your drink strength, from light to strong drink intensities as well as mocktails. The whole drink-making processes takes about 30 seconds per cocktail.
How we tested the Bartesian
When testing drink machines, we take note of the initial setup, how intuitive the controls are, and, of course, the overall taste of the drinks.
✔️ Setup: Setting up the Bartesian was a straightforward process. It's important to clean all the bottles and the water tank before adding any liquor or liquids, so I started with a quick hand wash, then decanted the bottles into the machine. I noted that the Premium Cocktail Machine was bulky and takes up a lot of counter space, but the brand also offers the Bartesian Duet, which is about half the size.
✔️ Functions and control tests: I tested the Bartesian myself using different capsules and alcohols at varying strengths. Getting started, I noted that the instructions on the digital screen were great; I didn't second-guess anything, and the next steps were clear. Adding the pods was simple, though I did notice that the machine leaked from the area where the pods are inserted a few times during testing.
I then asked our Lab experts to use the machine and provide feedback on their drink-making process as well as the resulting drinks' taste. I also got insights from other GH editors by having a machine set up in the office for everyone to try for an end-of-day drink. Overall, testers didn't have much trouble figuring out how to use the machine and were impressed with how intuitive the functions were: "All of the steps are laid out for you," said one.
✔️ Capsule taste tests: The Bartesian capsules are available in over 60 drink options, and the company is constantly developing new pods.
When it came to the drink quality, I consulted with Recipe Editor Susan Choung, who also handles our wine and spirits content here at GH. To start, she tried the old-fashioned on the rocks, a popular drink made with whiskey, simple syrup and bitters. "The drink finished unpleasantly dry," she said. "It's a shame that the kit doesn't come with garnishes because the sweetness from a maraschino cherry could have helped balance the drink more." Another GH editor had this to say about the old-fashioned: “It was refreshing and smooth but missing the kick of a real old-fashioned. I would recommend adding alcohol with this option.”
Once we got to the amaretto sour, things took a turn for the better: "It smelled very inviting, like marzipan," Choung said. "It tasted better than most amaretto sours I've had at bars that use a bottled mix: fresher, less sweet and more balanced. My favorite so far!
Many testers liked their drinks, though some thought they were on the "sugary" side. Flavored drinks, such as the strawberry guava margarita, were favorites. "I loved this drink!" said one tester. "I can taste the tequila, but it's not overpowering. The drink is fruity without being sour — it almost tastes like I'm sipping a drink with fresh fruit in it."
Margarita Mixer Capsules
Lemon Drop Mixer Capsules
The Classic Collection Capsules
Tropical Margarita Favorites Collection
Sampler Pack
Pros and cons of the Bartesian
Pros:
- Easy to use functions: Experts and at-home testers noted the intuitive functions on both Bartesian models. Each Bartesian has a digital screen that guides you through the process step by step, indicating when to add your capsules and providing clear options for your drink levels. Since the machine can automatically read the capsules, you don't have to tell it which liquor to use.
- Eliminates the need to buy multiple ingredients: Creating specialty cocktails can involve several ingredients, but Bartesian capsules eliminate the lengthy shopping list. Each capsule has the exact measurements of all the ingredients needed for your specific drink.
- Drink capsules come in a wide variety of options: Bartesian offers over 60 different drink capsule options, from espresso martinis to mai tais and more. They offer variety packs of popular drink options as well.
Cons:
- Bulky: The full-sized Bartesian model can be bulky for some, so it's essential to ensure you have sufficient counter space before making a purchase. If the full-size model is too large, they offer smaller versions, such as the Duet Cocktail Machine.
- Drinks can be sugary: When receiving feedback from testers and our GH experts, some noted that some of the capsules are too sweet, but ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.
The bottom line: Should you buy a Bartesian cocktail machine?
For the person who enjoys creating different cocktails at home but doesn't want to deal with being a bartender, the Bartesian is an excellent option (we even gave it a Good Housekeeping Kitchen Gear Award). Testers loved how simple it was to use and how clear the functions were, which is why it's a good choice for entertaining — your guests can pick from an array of different pod flavors and alcohol bases from brands of your choice. Although some of the pods were too sweet for our testers, the wide variety of drink options allows you to choose flavors that are best for you and your guests.
Keep in mind that the pods aren't inexpensive, but the machine eliminates the guesswork from drink-making, which requires recipes and several ingredients. The Bartesian can also create drinks at various strength levels, including mocktails, which catered to the diverse preferences of our testers.
Why trust Good Housekeeping?
Raena Loper is a contributing analyst for the Good Housekeeping Institute, where she worked alongside Kitchen Appliance Lab director Nicole Papantoniou to conduct testing on the Bartesian. Raena has conducted numerous tests for GH including air fryers, teapots, aprons and more. She also aided in blender testing and knows a thing or two about a good margarita.
To get more insight on the taste and flavors of the pods, Raena connected with recipe editor Susan Choung who leads the wine and spirit content for Good Housekeeping. Susan has an extensive background in wine tasting — she previously worked for a boutique wine and spirit shop in Brooklyn, New York. Prior to GH, she tasted and coordinated testing beverage recipes for Food & Wine.
Nicole Papantoniou is the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab director and has been with the Institute for over five years. Nicole has tested hundreds of kitchen appliances, and before joining GH, she worked as a recipe developer for some of the largest appliance brands on the market.
Raena Loper (she/her) is a fashion journalist and product analyst based in New Jersey whose work has appeared in Forbes, Good Housekeeping and O, The Oprah Magazine. Raena is a graduate from Montclair State University where she earned a degree in fashion studies as well as gender, sexuality and women's studies. In her free time, she enjoys sewing, cooking BBQ and spending time with family.
Nicole (she/her) is the director of the Good Housekeeping Institute's Kitchen Appliances and Innovation Lab, where she has overseen content and testing related to kitchen and cooking appliances, tools and gear since 2019. She’s an experienced product tester and recipe creator, trained in classic culinary arts and culinary nutrition. She has worked in test kitchens for small kitchen appliance brands and national magazines, including Family Circle and Ladies’ Home Journal.
Susan (she/her) is the recipe editor at Good Housekeeping, where she pitches ideas, parses words, and produces food content. In the Test Kitchen, she cooks (and samples!) recipes, working with developers to deliver the best written versions possible. A graduate of Brown University and a collaborator on several cookbooks, her previous experience includes stints at Food & Wine, Food Network, three meal kit companies, a wine shop in Brooklyn and Chez Panisse, the pioneering restaurant in Berkeley, California. She enjoys playing tennis, natural wines and reality competition shows.
