Do You Need a Home Cocktail Machine? Top Picks by Wired
▼ Summary
– The Barsys cocktail machine can make approximately 2,000 different drinks, including numerous variations of classics like the Old Fashioned and mule.
– The machine operates with precise measurements and features a magnetic spinning glass that mixes drinks into a frothy whirlpool.
– Despite its capabilities, the Barsys is described as unnecessary and “dumb” by the author’s friends and editor, yet it is seen as fun and entertaining.
– The author argues the main appeal of automatic cocktail machines is not utility but excitement and novelty, making everyday moments or parties more engaging.
– The Barsys 360 is highlighted as best for parties due to its flashy lights and interactive features, though it requires significant cleaning and has a buggy app.
Right now, the Barsys cocktail machine is mixing me an Oaxaca Old Fashioned, though it could just as easily prepare any of two thousand other drinks if I stocked the right ingredients. Exploring the “Oaxaca” category alone reveals options like the “Flower,” “Gold,” and “Tail” variations. The Barsys offers close to fifty distinct Old Fashioned recipes and more than seventy takes on the mule. A third automated cocktail device, the Bev by Black + Decker, uses Bartesian capsules in a different design, but representatives suggest it is likely being phased out, though still sold on Amazon.
My friends find the whole setup absurd. When I share videos of the Barsys forcefully dispensing ingredients into a glass, its magnetic base whirling the contents into an icy, frothy vortex, they don’t hold back. “I am embarrassed to be watching this,” my editor at WIRED remarked. Another friend called it “so dumb,” then quickly added, “You should definitely bring it over.”
Let’s be honest: nobody actually needs a machine to mix a good cocktail. But you might still want one. Here’s my theory, the kind you mull over in a dimly lit bar. An automatic cocktail machine isn’t really about convenience or necessity, it’s about excitement and fun. It’s that small, whimsical touch that breaks up the routine, gives your guests something to smile about, or lifts your partner’s spirits after a draining Tuesday.
With holiday gatherings around the corner, here’s a look at two imperfect but entertaining cocktail machines, each reflecting the lifestyle they cater to.
Best for Parties: The Barsys 360
Barsys 360 – $375 ($281 at 25% off on Amazon)
WIRED:
- Pours remarkably precise measurements by weight
- Smartphone app suggests up to 2,000 cocktails based on available ingredients
- Sleek, eye-catching design
TIRED:
- Cleaning, flushing lines, and refilling ingredients demands effort
- App occasionally glitchy and difficult to navigate
- Can get messy—cleaning is a recurring task
The Barsys 360 doesn’t shy away from flair. Choose your cocktail via the companion phone app, and the machine erupts in colorful lights, reminiscent of a disco or an enthusiastic bowling alley. It dispenses ingredients in sharp, accurate squirts, in my tests, it measured within three-hundredths of an ounce.
As your drink is prepared, the device’s lighting shifts from white to blue, finally glowing green when your cocktail is ready. If you’ve invested in Barsys’ magnetic mixing glass ($45), the cup spins rapidly, churning your drink and ice into a frothy whirlpool. Imagine a glowing, swirling tropical daiquiri, it’s quite a spectacle.
This machine is pure party entertainment. It’s silly, it’s enjoyable, and yes, it’s a little ridiculous. If you leave it out on your counter, you might find yourself mixing drinks more often than you should, partly because you can, and partly because you’ve already loaded the ingredient reservoirs. That kind of temptation isn’t ideal on a weeknight.
(Source: Wired)
