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

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 2021Bartesian 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'sUPDATE 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 Releases1. 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!

I really like this machine.I enjoy entertaining and cooking and mixing drinks. With this it’s like having help. I show people how to use it and they help themselves. They even make me drinks.I also like it when it’s just the two of us at home. Or just me.For me it means no more stocking mix bottles, or pre-making mixes, no time-consuming making drinks and best of all NO MESS! And I no longer throw away a bunch of expired mixers.These expire too. You can refrigerate to double their life. But it’s all more manageable.Does it makes sense for you financially? You need to figure that out. But it’s like having a bartender at home.The mixes are *not* overly sweet and they are tasty and in varying degrees of flavors.Calories (without liquor Of course) range from 10 (old fashioned) to margarita (60) . Listings in their website.I load my Bartesian with my favorite liquor brands. To start with you have to pick which 5 liquor brands to use: Vodka, Rum, Gin, Whiskey and Tequila. The jars are a decent size. WARNING: test the “duck” valves when you are rinsing and prepping before loading the liquor. It’s in the manual people.Thirsty? Choose a drink.Pop in a cartridge. Get a glass(Keep a metal one handy as 1-2 of the drinks (Cosmo) suggest you shake it. All others so far just a glass w ice.Select strength from Virgin, Light, Regular and Strong. Liquor dispensed varies from cocktail to cocktail. Strong could be from 2 oz to 3.4 oz — maybe even more.Varies according to recipe.Tastes varies from people to people so no sense in me going into too many details.Cocktails I HAVE NOT tried to date:- Paper Plane- Mint JulepCocktails I’ve tried more or less in like order:- Old Fashioned- Whiskey Sour (non whipped variety)- Uptown Rocks (I add a sprig of cilantro)- Rum Breeze- Sex on the Beach ( I use tall glasses lots of ice)- Margarita- Gimlet-Sazerac (tastes like it has a hint of oregano?)- Cosmos- Long Island Tea- Negroni (a gin cocktail)- Spiced Coffee- Martini(Note: like dirty vodka martinis myself but the cartridge here so far is Gin Martini). Yes, you could swap the gin reservoir with the vodka one. I will need to experiment but not my favorite so far. Too busy trying the others.I really really like many of the Bartesian cocktails. They have done their homework. i tried Spiced Coffee once and I wasn’t thrilled but I’m thinking of adding a splash of cream or even Irish cream. Next time.I keep ice handy for drinks.I’ve also added to the top shelf of my fridge door little jars of olives, little onions, maraschino cherries, etc Anything I thought of as garnish and in the vegetable bin I keep handy mint, cilantro, limes and lemons. It’s my way to tweak it. Depends on my mood or occasion. By throwing in a couple of garnishes I feel like I’m kicking it up a notch.Tips:- I also pour cold water into the machine. Sometimes even drop some ice on the reservoir. But it’s not needed.- I remove the spent cartridge right after I make the drink. My Bartesian machine is next to a cappuccino machine and I chuck them in the tap container for the used coffee.- I leave the cover open after I make drinks-I tap on “sleep” when I think of it (otherwise it’ll shut off eventually I think)- Occasionally I remove the bar mat and rinse it.- In a month or three I’m planning on flushing it out (there’s a both a first time cycle and a flush cycle).- I’ve taken off the cartridge cup holder once to rinse it.This “maintenance” to me is all small stuff. Less than what I do with the coffee machines. I want to make it easy on my Robotic bartender so he can stick around for a long time to come.Reception? To date, I haven’t found anyone yet that has NOT liked it. Some admit candidly “I didn’t think I was going to like it this much”.Durability?The most activity to date was a 32 drink gathering. Let’s see when the summer entertaining season comes.Yes, it’s plastic but I’m guessing if it was metal it’ll cost a lot more. Someone will make a different model once.My wishes / REQUESTS:- MORE cocktails please! One can never have enough choices!!! - How about dirty vodka martinis!?- And of course: LOWER the price of the cartridges!!! Guessing/hoping that will happen sooner or later. Yes Bartesian is starting “subscriptions” but I rather you gave me bulk discounts.How about it Bartesian!?Shop around for the machine. Sometimes I see discounts. I bought mine right here in Amazon and most if the drinks in Bartesian website. The machines are in a growing number of places. Like Bed Bath and Beyond for example had it at a great price if you are a Beyond member. Hope this doesn’t ban me from Amazon reviews v