While a shaker, some mixing tools and ice can do the job just fine, modern tech has enabled the invention of some impressive gadgets that can spritz up your home bartending game.
From machines that can prepare cocktails in seconds to smart coasters that ensure the perfect pour, here’s a rundown of some devices you should consider adding to your bar.
Pressing a button to summon cocktails might sound like the stuff of sci-fi, but they’re already here.
Bartesian’s cocktail maker is one of the more popular robotic bartenders on the market, and can prepare cocktails on demand in about 30 seconds. Fill the machine with your spirit of choice in the designated reservoirs, then insert a cocktail capsule (an eight-pack costs around $20 and makes eight drinks) containing a mix of juices, bitters and extracts.
Use the touchscreen to adjust your preferred strength from mocktail to strong, then press mix.
iGulu – $549
Image Credits:iGulu
There’s a unique satisfaction in sipping a beer you’ve brewed yourself, and iGulu’s automated beer brewer aims to make that process accessible to everyone. It works with pre-packaged ingredient kits that include extracts, hops, bitters, dry yeast, and ground grains. Simply pour in the contents and add water, and even beginners can start brewing.
Each kit brews one gallon, or eight pints. Fermentation takes 7 to 13 days, depending on the recipe, and the built-in container keeps your beer cold and fresh for at least 30 days.
You can also connect the brewer to an app to monitor fermentation time, carbonation levels, and adjust the temperature as needed.
The device is surprisingly versatile: besides beer, the iGulu can also be used to make hard apple cider, kombucha, fruit wine, and non-alcoholic beverages like fermented tea, sparkling water, and even yogurt.
Barsys Smart Coaster – $69
Image Credits:Barsys
The makers of a $1,500 robot bartender also offer the Barsys Coaster, a more affordable option for those perfecting their cocktail-making skills.
This smart coaster helps you prepare well-blended beverages by lighting up to indicate when to start and stop pouring each ingredient. Simply connect it to the Barsys app, select a recipe, place a cup on the coaster, and follow the step-by-step guide.
Smokpub Electric Smoker – $55
Image Credits:SmokPub
Want to elevate your cocktails with a smoky flavor? A cocktail and whiskey smoker is a fun gadget to have, even if you don’t use it often.
This one from Smokpub adds smoky flavors to your drinks without open flames. Simply load it with wood chips—available flavors include oak, apple, hickory, cherry, pear, and beech—place it on your glass with the safety cover, press the electric ignition, and let the smoke infuse your drink.
SipVault Smart Liquor Dispenser – $55.95
Image Credits:SipVault
While not the most glamorous option, an automatic dispenser is a practical choice for consistent pours and preventing spills, especially when making multiple drinks. As the holidays approach, this could be useful for avoiding accidental spills at your next gathering.
