Entertaining at home is one of those things that sounds easy — until you’re stuck behind the bar, trying to keep up with drink orders while everyone else is having a good time. That’s where the Bartesian Professional Cocktail Maker comes in. We spent some time with the machine, testing its performance and ease of use, and also spoke with CEO Ryan Close about how this high-tech cocktail maker is changing the game for home entertainers. If you’ve been looking for a way to elevate your at-home bar setup without the hassle, this might be just the solution you’ve been waiting for.
What makes the Bartesian Professional different?
Launched in 2019, Bartesian quickly became known for its innovative approach to home cocktail making. The Professional model takes it to the next level, designed with the serious entertainer in mind. With five 1-liter spirit bottles, a larger water reservoir, and an intuitive touchscreen, this machine is built for high-volume use. It promises to deliver over 60 cocktails at the touch of a button, each made in just 30 seconds.
Our hands-on experience with the Bartesian Professional Cocktail Maker
We spent some time testing the machine in real-world conditions — and what stood out was how quickly it produces consistently good drinks without the usual mess or prep. Bartesian doesn’t skimp on quality either: no artificial flavors or preservatives are used. The ability to adjust alcohol strength adds another layer of customization, catering to everything from mocktails to high ABV cocktails.
Here’s a closer look at what stood out to us, along with a few considerations for potential buyers:
What we liked:
- User-friendly: It’s remarkably easy to use, even for those with little cocktail-making experience.
- Customizable strength: Multiple alcohol strength settings let you adjust drinks to your liking — from light refreshers to more robust options.
- Affordable pods: The cost of the pods is around $3 each (not including alcohol), and you can find options that are even more affordable.
- Wide cocktail variety: There’s a huge selection of cocktails available directly from Bartesian, including low-calorie options for those watching their intake.
- Speed: It’s quick — you can have a cocktail ready in about 30 seconds.
- Locking alcohol containers: A locking system keeps the alcohol containers secure and prevents spills or tampering.
- Perfect for high-volume use: Ideal for parties or gatherings, as it eliminates the need for constant drink-making and keeps the cocktails flowing.
- No need for extra ingredients: You won’t need to stockpile a variety of mixers or garnishes — the system handles everything.
- Reliability: The machine is built for ease of use and consistent drink quality, ensuring you get the same result every time.
- Large capacity: You can make up to 60 cocktails before needing to refill the alcohol containers, making it efficient for larger events.
- Compact design: It’s designed to fit comfortably on most countertops, without taking up too much space.
What to consider:
- Refilling alcohol containers: You do need to refill the glass alcohol containers, which can be a bit of a commitment if you’re using it regularly.
- Potential for waste: If you forget to remove the alcohol containers before starting a cleaning cycle, it will pull alcohol from the bottles, which results in waste.
- Lack of child lock on standard model: The standard version doesn’t have a child lock (though the Professional model does), which could be a concern in homes with young children.
- Not a replacement for handcrafted cocktails: While the drinks are high-quality, they won’t quite match the complexity or personalization of a cocktail made by a skilled bartender.
- Price: At $499, the Professional model is a significant investment, positioning it as more of a luxury item for those who entertain regularly. (Though, at press time, it was currently priced at $349.)
Interview with Ryan Close, CEO of Bartesian
To get a deeper understanding of what makes Bartesian tick, we sat down with CEO Ryan Close to discuss the brand’s vision, the evolution of the product, and how it’s reshaping the home cocktail experience. Here’s what he had to say.
The Manual: Can you walk us through the inspiration behind creating the Bartesian Cocktail Maker and how it evolved into a category-defining product since its 2019 launch?
Ryan Close: When I first came across the concept that would become Bartesian, I immediately saw its potential. Having bartended in college, I knew firsthand how complicated it can be to make a great cocktail — the ingredients, the precision, the time. Even at home, most people either settle for something simple or skip the effort altogether.
I saw an opportunity to take that early idea and turn it into something scalable — a system that could bring real mixology into people’s homes with ease, consistency, and quality. From there, it became about building the brand, refining the product, and creating an entirely new category within home entertainment. Today, Bartesian makes it possible for anyone to craft a premium cocktail at the push of a button — and that’s exactly what we set out to do.
The Manual: The Bartesian Professional Cocktail Maker is described as a game-changer for high-volume entertaining. What specific features set it apart from the original Bartesian and the Duet models for home users?
Ryan Close: Originally built to make life easier for bartenders in these higher volume settings, this model was designed with efficiency in mind. Now, it can bring that same convenience home for hosts who love to entertain and want to keep making drinks simple. The Professional features five 1-liter spirit bottles and a larger water reservoir to cut down on refills and keep cocktails flowing seamlessly.
The Manual: With over 60 cocktail recipes available at the touch of a button, how does Bartesian ensure the quality and authenticity of each drink?
Ryan Close: While working behind hotel bars, I noticed that most cocktails were made with whatever was on hand, like cheap mixers, artificial juices, and syrupy add-ins. I wanted to do the complete opposite, which is why every Bartesian recipe is crafted with master mixologists who perfect the balance and flavor to meet the brand’s high standards. Never including artificial flavors or preservatives lets Bartesian deliver cocktails that taste authentic and bar-quality every time.
The Manual: The customer reviews highlight ease of use and consistent cocktail quality. How did your team approach designing a user-friendly interface, like the touchscreen on the Bartesian Professional or the rotary dial on the Duet?
Ryan Close: We designed Bartesian to make the cocktail experience approachable for everyone, whether someone has never mixed a drink before or is an experienced home bartender. The touchscreen on the Professional and the rotary dial on the Duet were both created with simplicity in mind. They guide users through every step, from selecting the cocktail to adjusting the strength, so it feels super straightforward from the very first use.
The Manual: For home bartenders who love experimenting, how does the Bartesian system allow for customization?
Ryan Close: Users can easily adjust the strength of the cocktail, from mocktail to strong, with a simple turn of the dial or tap of the screen. Beyond that, Bartesian’s capsule library keeps growing with seasonal drops like the Spooky Sips collection for Halloween and the Advent Calendar for holiday timing, giving consumers new, on-trend flavor profiles and seasonal offerings to explore.
The Manual: The Bartesian Professional is marketed as both functional and a showpiece. How important is the aesthetic design to the brand’s identity, and what feedback have you received from users about its presence in home bar setups?
Ryan Close: From day one, we wanted Bartesian to look as good as it performs. The Professional was originally built for luxury hospitality settings, so it had to be sleek, durable, and timeless. Now that it’s available for home use, consumers love that it becomes a centerpiece and sparks conversation. It looks great on the counter, and it elevates the entire home bar experience.
The Manual: What’s next for Bartesian? Are there plans to expand the cocktail recipe library, introduce new models, or explore other innovations in the home mixology space?
Ryan Close: We’re always pushing to keep things fresh — both literally and creatively. Our team’s constantly experimenting with new recipes and flavor trends, from modern takes on classics to cocktails people haven’t seen before. You’ll see more seasonal and limited-edition capsules that bring some surprise and excitement to the lineup.
Beyond that, we’re exploring new ways to elevate the home bar experience — smarter machines, new formats, and innovations that make it even easier to enjoy a great cocktail anytime. Bartesian created this category, and we’re just getting started defining what the future of at-home mixology looks like.
Final thoughts
The Bartesian Professional Cocktail Maker is definitely worth considering. It’s quick, reliable, and delivers quality cocktails with minimal effort, making it an invaluable tool for anyone who loves to host or enjoys premium drinks at home.
