Premium Cocktail and Margarita Machine for The Home Bar with Push-Button Simplicity and an Easy to Clean Design (55300)

I purposely wait until we had used the machine for at least 11 months before writing a review. So far the machine has performed marvelously. We have had no issues with the controls or operations of the machine. We have enjoyed a wide variety of cocktails during the year and they have been wonderfully made. We have really enjoyed trying many of the new cocktails from Bartesian. We use filtered water that comes from our water purification system in our Bartesian. This reduces mineral build up and eliminates the chemicals taste that comes from many municipal water treatment systems. Clean water ensures that the taste of your cocktail is consistent each time you use the machine. We have been doing this for our Keurig machines as well. I have performed two cleaning cycles since we have own the machine. It is very easy since the machine has a clean cycle in the menu. I would suggest that you consider using a “very mild” coffee cleaning compound for the water well in the machine. Since we have several Keurig machines, we had the cleaning solution handy. Using a cleaning solution will remove any bacterial build up and will ensure adequate flow is occurring from the water well. Like make coffee machines, the water in the Bartesian sits stagnant, so over time you will need to clean the water well from any bacteria build up. Follow the time schedule recommendations in the manual for cleaning your Bartesian machine. Very Important: Do not use any cleaning solution in the glass alcohol wells. These wells have rubber gaskets and spring pressure valves that may not react well to the solution. Use just water for cleaning the glass alcohol wells. When performing general everyday maintenance, clean the puncher cup in which the pods are placed in as well as the rubber mat before or after each usage. This ensures that your cocktail taste is consistent and this prevent bacteria build up on these parts. We use a countertop ice machine with our Bartesian. I read that having fresh ice for your cocktail ensures a good tasting cocktail every time. Using ice from a refrigerator ice machine is adequate but if the ice sits for any time in the icebox of the refrigerator, the taste of the ice can change. This will affect your cocktail. Each time we want a cocktail, we add water to the countertop ice machine to make fresh ice. When it is not used, we drain the water and follow maintenance for countertop ice machine. This may seem “overkill” but if you ever had a cocktail in a a good bar, they always use freshly made ice. You might want to do the same in your home. Tip 1: We use 8oz cocktail glasses in our Bartesian but we found that the height of the dispenser from the glass created splatters on some occasions. We solved this by getting a “cocktail glass riser”. There is one that is made for Keurig machines and it worked well in reducing splatters from the dispenser. Tip 2: The “Long Island Iced Tea” cocktail pod uses 3 alcohols to mix the drink. When including ice will make this cocktail right at 10 ounces. We use tall 11oz cocktail glasses for this drink to prevent run over. This also applies to any cocktail in which you choose “As a Double” or “Strong”. The Bartesian can make ‘singles’ and ‘doubles’ of every cocktail and some cocktails when made ‘double’ will exceed 8 ounces so you will need a tall cocktail glass. Summary: We have really enjoyed the machine and the cocktails it has made. I hope you find this review helpful.

I love the Bartesian!! I first used it at a family members house a couple years ago. I loved it and had to have one so I waited for a sale and pounced. It's so easy to use. Multiple drink options and so yummy! It also has accessories you can purchase separately (which I did, like rim sugar). You pick which drink you want and the machine scans the barcode on the pod and knows what alcohol to mix in. Easy to store, fits on your countertop or a cabinet anywhere you have a plug close. Easy to clean. All the drinks taste great, though I have my favorites of course!

Making drinks is easy peazy. Good choices too. Prices for the cocktail mix seem a little high. Hope that comes down a little. I think you have to buy pods online.

Absolutely love this machine. I purchased it for myself as a Christmas gift. I’m an occasional drinker. But when I do have a drink, it has to be good in taste. As well as being balanced in the different mixers and alcohols. This does all of that. This is the professional grade. It is very well-made. I got this on Black Friday for 299 which usually runs 499 for the professional grade. The difference between the professional grade and the basic Bartesian is that the professional grade allows you to use four different liquors. Gin/rum, tequila, vodka, whiskey. So for a few bucks more you can make almost any drink you wanna make. FYI, don’t try to make coffee or anything in this machine other than what it calls for it will shut down. As far as performance, durability functionality, etc. it’s just a beautiful very easy Machine that anyone can use. It’s all digital. So when you put your pod in it, it will ask you the strength of the drink. If you want it strong regular, etc.. It’s very customizable to the buyer. So for me, I bought the sex on the beach pods And just to give it a little kick. I add the “summer edition” Red Bull after I make the drink through the bartesian. I add the summer edition Red Bull to the sex on the beach and it is awesome. But whether you add anything to it or tweak it after you have made it or before you make it it. It’s good regardless of whether you add anything in it. But again everything is labeled as to what goes and what. You wanna follow the instructions so if you want to add anything into your drink to tweak it whether it’s before and or after you make the drink, you wanna put it in the cup and not the machine. Anyway, I never do reviews, but I loved this so much I wanted to share. If you’re hesitant because of the price tag, trust and believe that I am a very stingy person and I am very particular about where my money goes and this is gonna last me for a long time and it’s going to be great on holidays and hosting, etc.. I literally don’t have to do anything. The drinks make themselves this thing pays for itself over and over again.

Wife loves the machine and she says it works perfectly. It is easy to use, looks great in designated area, and is easy to clean. So far, so good!!

UPDATE - Added one star - see the end for the update. Real review from real owner. I've had this for six months and use it a lot. Background/Overview: I purchased this because their competitor (Drinkworks) went out of business. The Drinkworks pods were not very tasty but the machine looked like a $350 machine should look. When I received my Bart, I was disappointed because this looks like the abused brother of the Drinkworks. It's just doesn't feel as "quality" as the Drinkworks did. Bart's pods are tasty for the most part, but the machine has issues as I'll share below. They have partnered with B&D for a new machine, so you might want to wait a month or two until that comes out and check its reviews. Pros: 1) The pods are the main pro here (well, next to the accessories as I'll share in a second.) 2) Pod subscription can really save you $$$. 3) If you have a pod subscription, then other items (glasses, rimmers, etc.) are 50% off. 4) You get to choose your own alcohol. Don't have to have cheap nasty liquor unless you want it! 5) They specialize in their extras. Glassworks, menu, rimmers, etc. are all top notch. GREAT pro. 6) Packaging for shipping of Pods is heavy duty* 7) Customer service* Cons 1) The whiskey leaks on many machines. Check FB on this, many, many, many people (including myself) have had to clean up whiskey because of it leaking while sitting in the machine. I've read lots of reports of this, but haven't witnessed Bartesian staff address this issue, ever. 2) Some pods (hurricane for instance) leak leak leak all over the place about 50% of the time. It's like flipping a coin if there will be a mess or not. Sometimes when I put them in the machine, the drink begins spraying on my counter, other times is works as it should. Again, reported on their official FB page, but I haven't seen any response from Bartesian staff about this. 3) Feels cheap to me. Where you push down to puncture the pod, the machine just feels cheap, like I might break it. If you push down too softly, more pods leaks. I just feel like it is going to break one day. Drinkworks had this part 100% perfect. 4) Packaging for Pods - I noted above in the "Pros" area that the pod packages are heavy duty, and they are - but they still arrive broken open sometimes. I have heard from the FB group that if a certain number are broken open, customer service will refund, but I don't know the magic number of broken pods needed to qualify. 5) Customer Service - I noted it above in "Pros" area about customer service. Well, it's really hit and miss. I mentioned something on FB about my original shipment getting squashed and they refunded me my entire order - that's an A+. They did the work on it. They found my Bartesian account through my FB account and contacted me via messenger. That's how customer support should be for an item at this price point. However, just the other day an almost invisible washer disappeared from my water bin. No idea how it came out, and it shouldn't on this new of a product. But it did and my Bart because useless without it. So I contacted "Customer Support" and was sent a generic link from their website. I guess I was supposed to figure out what I needed myself and then buy it? I didn't see any washers there, just the option to purchase an entire brand new water bin. Seriously? For a silicon washer that shouldn't have fallen out in the first place? I paid $350 for this item, $1,200 in pods through their website and then just sent a link to figure out I needed to spend $20 because of a silicon washer? A good company with good support would have simply grabbed one of the 2 cent washers, dropped it in an envelope, then sent me an email saying it was on its way. Terrible customer service - sometimes. Luckily, someone on the FB group gave me a suggestion for fixing it - since we can't use the whiskey port anyway (because of leaks), take the washer from there! So, overall, it's a great product in theory. I've wasted pods from them spraying all over - without any indication Bart is fixing that. I've had to clean "pod juice" off of other pods because they arrive broken. I've had to go hunting throughout my house looking for a small silicon washer because one fell off which shouldn't. We love the drinks, but not the machine and (sometimes) not the company so much. But what they do with their accessories, especially their glasswork! Those are all beautiful and packed so so so well! Why isn't that person in charge of their customer service is beyond me! Top notched accessories, but mediocre service and engineering. I've attached a video so you can see how easy it is to use and, luckily, it didn't shoot out all over the place this time! Bart is easy to use and we do love it, don't get me wrong. Update: I was contacted by Bartesian because of my review. I had told them I just wanted the silicon washer, and they said they would send one, but they sent the entire water container. I'll be honest, it actually bothered me that they did. I almost felt like they did it just to get me off their case. But, if I was to give them the benefit of the doubt, maybe they did it to just give good customer service. I'm not sure, but I added a star back because they finally did do something. I wish they could have sent the washer (not the whole container) when I first contacted them. They stated in the email and they state on their FB page that they are a small company. I get that and respect that. I just wish they would sink a little more expertise into customer service and I'm pretty sure they would see a payback. Still keeping one star off for the engineering issues this machine has which have never been addressed by Bartesian in any form which I've read. Again, goes to customer service. But hey, that's their choice! I hope this helps!

I ordered this and kept it in the box for a while to make sure I was not impulse buying. Eventually decided to unbox and it is everything I hoped it would be and more. I have gotten to the point where my friends and family want to tell me to shut up as I will not stop talking about it (even though they are now ordering it). I love a good cocktail, but my level of experience is a good gin and tonic, opening wine, or a beer. This takes it to that level akin to a GPS - the world is your oyster, and you can go anywhere you want (within capsule availability). I put in the liquor types for brands of my choice, filled with water, and magic happened. I was in absolute stunned silence when I tasted the first drink. On par if not better than ordering at a bar, depending on where you are. To start - follow the easy instructions - wash the parts, fill the bottles with the identified liquors, pop into the holders, pop in a capsule, read the instructions on the screen (e.g. put glass with ice, drink strength level) and select mix. Fast, easy, and fun. Not to mention bragging rights....oh I meant, to let your friends have their choice of cocktail when they come over. I now order the capsules from both Amazon and the Bartesian site for the mainstream and when I want to try something interesting. This is an amazing invention, and I am impressed with the ease of use, quality of the moving parts, ease of cleaning, and ease of functionality. This was tested and developed the RIGHT way, and I am a believer. Well done!

I have spent a small fortune, but I was determined to find the best of the best. Here is a breakdown of my favorite drinks pods (for reference my favorite non-Bartesian drinks are: Long Island, Whiskey Sour, Rum Punch, Margarita). FYI - Some of these drinks are not yet available on Amazon, but can be purchased on Bartesians's website (Price is the same as Amazon, but shipping is not as fast as Amazon Prime - takes between 5- 7 days). UPDATE November 2021 - Holiday Collection 2021 Bartesian hit it out of the park with this one (much better than last year). From best to least... Mistletoe Margarita - this is Christmas in a cup. It tastes like cranberry with hints of spice - nutmeg and cinnamon. It tastes more like a delicious spiced wine than a marg, but I'm not mad about that. This is what the rhubarb spiced shrub SHOULD taste like. Needs to be a year-round drink. Made on strong..always. Yuletide Hurricane - Also needs to be a year round drink. It tastes like topical Hawaiian punch (for adults). Lots of orange flavor - if you don't like orange or citrus then this is not the drink for you. It has edible glitter which makes this drink visually beautiful. VERY SWEET - made on strong always to balance the sweet. Love! Espresso martini - I'm surprised I like this as much as I do, even more than the spiced coffee. It tastes like the best coffee you've ever had - with hints of vanilla. This is made with vodka, rather than tequila like the spiced coffee. It's absolutely delicious. I would not order this on the reg, but it's a perfect seasonal drink (like egg nog). Spiced Old Fashioned - this was in last years collection - disappointed it was included. It's not bad, but you really have to like drinks that are basically just whiskey. Like last year, I add a good bit of apple cider, which makes it taste similar to the apple pie, so I don't waste the pods. Wouldn't want it again, but it's in the collection again..whomp whomp. UPDATE October 2021: Blackberry Margarita: Delicious! This margarita tastes like you muddled fresh blackberries for the drink. It's not overly sweet (not as sweet as the passion fruit), but fruity and refreshing. I like this one on regular. I tried on strong and it wasn't sweet enough. Apple Pie: I love that Bartesian made this a year round drink instead of seasonal. This drink is incredibly balanced and not overly sweet like most apple-cider type cocktails. It's perfectly sweet, with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and touch of lemon. I use Wordford Reserve Whiskey which compliments the drink nicely with hints of orange. Delish! UPDATE August 2021: Passion Fruit Margarita: Another great drink from Bart - very similar to the Mango, but I actually like the Passion Fruit even more. The Passion Fruit has a more complex flavor - sweet, tart and tangy, while the Mango is mostly sweet notes, but has more hints of a classic lime margarita. I prefer this one on strong (way too sweet on regular). Already reordered the 32 pod count - it goes fast! UPDATE: May 2021 Releases: Rum Runner: The vodka seems unnecessary in this drink - even on the light it's too overpowering. I make it on 'mocktail' and then add coconut rum myself to make it edible. Defeats the purpose of the machine, but it's the only way this drink doesn't take like medicine. This drink was a hug disappointment for me, and I will not be purchasing again. Mango Margarita - the mango is a bit overpowering, so I like this one on strong and wow is it good. You still get hints of a classic margarita taste from the lime, but be prepared to give Bartesian all of your money because this is delicious! Medium drink output and I've already put in an order for 32 pods because this one goes fast! UPDATE: February 2021 Releases: Amaretto Sour - Sweet, and delicious but emphasis on the SWEET (and where's the sour??). If you love Disaronno (or amaretto), then you will love this drink, but the level of sweetness is not for everyone. I wish it was a bit more balanced like the Whiskey Sour. I use Woodford reserve whiskey instead of vodka and add a big squeeze of fresh lime juice and its still insanely sweet. I would likely not order again. Screwdriver - Very sour. I wish this one was a bit more balanced as well, and had a tad but more sweetness. Go grab some OJ and make this yourself, but it is nice to have on hand for guests. I would not buy again. UPDATE: Holiday 2020 Collection. I was looking forward to new flavors (the Apple Pie is incredible), but disappointed to see the rest of the collection is basically recycled drinks that I don't really care for. Apple Pie - This a showstopper and Bartesian needs to sell this pod individually and all year round. This drink is incredibly balanced and not overly sweet like most apple-cider type cocktails. It's perfectly sweet, with hints of cinnamon, nutmeg and touch of lemon. I use Wordford Reserve Whiskey which compliments the drink nicely with hints of orange. Delish! Spiced Old Fashioned - I like the spices in this beverage, but I find Old Fashions to be too strong. I added apple cider and lots of ice, and it actually made this taste similar to the Apple Pie cocktail. Winning!! Clausmopolitain - A regular cosmo with glitter. Yawn.... (but the color is stunning!) Spiced Coffee - Disappointed this was in the collection instead of bringing something new to table. I do not like the Spiced Coffee, so I saved them for a friend that likes this drink with a splash of Bailey's UPDATE Oct 2020: Witch's Heart - Great for Halloween, but I will be drinking all year round. Such a delicious and complex tasting drink. You get sweetness from the white grape and berries, and a bit of tart from the apple and lemon. I've never had edible glitter before, but it makes this drink magical. You're friends will be impressed. Only negative there is an odd 'cough-syrupy' after taste. It doesn't bother me, but this drink is not for everyone. It makes a small drink output. UPDATE: July 2020 New Releases 1. Mai Thai - "Bermuda, Jamaica, Ooooo I wanna take ya...". Tropical, pineapp-ly, coconut and almond goodness. This tastes exactly like a drink you would get at the beach. Delicious and my absolute favorite of the new releases but the drink output is absolutely pitiful - a few sips and it's gone. You would need to make 2-3 pods for a full drink. 2. Ginger Peach Iced Tea - Summery and refreshing. I do find the ginger to be a bit overpowering, so I add a dash of Peach Schnapps to provide more of that peach flavor I'm looking for. This is a substantial drink! It fills my 16 ounce glass on regular. This drink sneaks up on you since you can't taste the alcohol. 3. Lemon Drop - Taste exactly like the first legal drink you had on your 21st birthday. Super sweet and tart, so I prefer to make this as a shot. The strong setting makes 4-5 shots. A real crowd pleaser - 'Who wants a lemon drop?'...and the crowd goes wild! 3. Aviation - Tastes like pomegranate and maraschino cherries. The drink is a gorgeous purple color - you would think that doesn't matter but the color is mesmerizing. I switch bottles and use vodka because I am not a fan of gin. Produces a small - medium drink output. 4. Northside - A surprising favorite. Lemon and lime flavored drink without being overly sweet. Super refreshing summer vodka drink. Produces a small - medium drink output. 5. Rhubarb Spice Shrub - Overpowering vinegary taste. At first, this drink reminded me of a delicious spiced wine I have during the holidays with such a great depth of flavor. The aftertaste is straight vinegar...why?! This drink was definitely designed by a hipster. $14 in the trash for what could have been an amazing cocktail. UPDATE: After a few family gatherings, the unanimous favorites are Rum Breeze, Sex on the Beach, Margarita, Long Island, and Whiskey Sour. 1.) Rum Breeze - My absolute favorite!! Fruity, refreshing, but dangerous. It doesn't taste 'strong' (even on the strong setting), but this sure does sneak up on you!). This drink has a strong coconut flavor, with hints of strawberry. I go through these pods like water. YUM!! This pod makes a substantial drink. 2.) Sex on the Beach- Another fruity but dangerous favorite. I primarily taste cranberry, peach and pineapple in this one. This pod makes a substantial drink. 3.) Whiskey Sour - Delicious but strong. Perfect on the regular setting. Hints of sours and vanilla. Tiny drink output - a few sips and it's gone (may be for the best since this is a strong drink). 4.) Long Island - My favorite bar drink, but not my favorite Bartesian drink (I think because it doesn't have enough 'cola' flavor for me), but it's still delicious. Regular setting is PLENTY strong with this one. Makes a small-medium drink - need 2 pods for a full glass. 5.) Margarita - This drink is perfect. Not overly sweet or generic tasting like alot of the grocery store mixers. Decent drink output. 6.) Cosmopolotan - Lime and Cranberry flavors. A bit tart for me, but pretty good. Decent drink output. 7.) Paper plane - It reminds me of a whiskey sour I had at a restaurant. Tastes of citrus, sour, herbal and bitter. Unusual but pretty good. It's like a sour patch kid for adults. This drink is not for everyone. All of my guest have said it tastes like medicine, but I like it (but the herbal notes can be a bit overpowering). Decent drink output. 8.) Uptown Rocks - Strong Peach taste - good, but I wish there were other prominent flavors. I actually prefer this with vodka than gin (I just switch the bottles). Makes a decent sized drink. 9.) Old Fashioned - All I can taste is whiskey, but a hint of citrus does make it smoother. Not my favorite, but I'm not a fan of this drink anyway. Makes a tiny drink, but sounds about right for this one. 10.) Spiced Coffee- Pretty good. Hints of spice - cinnamon and nutmeg. I would have to be in the mood for this one because I'm not a fan of spiked coffee. I would not buy again. Although a friend of mine loves it with a splash of Bailey's. Makes a decent size drink. 11.) Sazerac - This drink is slightly sweet and has subtle hints of licorice. All I could taste is whiskey when I made this drink using a regular strength. The flavor comes thorough much better on light, but I'm just not a fan of this one. Small drink output. 12.) Mint Julip - Tastes like toothpaste. If you're a fan of mint, or Mojito-like drinks then this one is for you. Decent drink output, but threw it away. 13.) Negroni - And finally, my least favorite pod, and one I will definitely never buy again, the Negroni! This drink has a strong herbal flavor. I don't know how it's possible, but it tastes like eating a pine tree. Also very bitter. Definitely not for me. Small drink output, but it's for the best - nasty!