I’m as lazy as they come regarding cooking (and, consequently, bartending). That layered drink might look good, but as soon as I look closer and realize there are 15 steps to the finish or that my next grocery shop will cost me over $100, it doesn’t look nearly as good. I want easy, quick, and economical. This took me to the Bartesian ($330), a fantastic adult appliance that makes cocktails like my beloved Nespresso Vertuo ($147) makes my morning joe. However, as I’ve learned, not every Bartesian pod is created equal—just like K-Cups.

When adding them to your cart, you should decide which ones are worth the price because they’re not inexpensive—a six-pack will cost you roughly $15. Therefore, I’ve put in a ton of effort to test—or should I say, taste—nine boxes to find out which ones you’ll adore the most this summer. Are you trying to find a compact that gets straight to the point of interest? You can get it with the whiskey sour. Do you prefer something that has a cup of juice-like flavor? Tell the rum breeze hello. Read on to learn more about the advantages and disadvantages of each kind of pod.

A Glance At The Best Bartesian Pods For Summer

Our Approach to Evaluating the Top Bartesian Pods:

It takes more than inserting the capsules and pressing the mix button to make a great mixed drink in the Bartesian.

Each type of liquor you plan to use has its chamber in the machine. I made a mistake the first time, so the second time, I made sure the spirit bottle lid’s “duckbill” was fully open to dispense the liquor, lest I end up with a cup full of mixer (which is an option by the way if you’re a mocktail drinker, though I wouldn’t recommend it given the high sugar content of many of the pods—they need the alcohol to balance).

An expert piece of advice? Make thoughtful liquor selections. Though some were better suited for mixing drinks, I selected the spirits of my choosing, setting aside space for vodka, tequila, rum, and whiskey (plus an additional bottle for gin).

For example, I used Whistle Pig PiggyBack whiskey ($50), Corazon reposado tequila ($25), Malibu rum ($7), and Ketel One vodka ($12) for my tests. However, after using the Malibu, I realized some of my drinks were too sweet, so I wish I had used a darker rum.

I then positioned the pods in the area meant for capsules and selected whether I wanted a light, regular, or substantial amount of alcohol to be used in the drinks (I went with regular for all).
I press the “mix” button at last. I then consumed each cocktail to the fullest extent possible for research purposes (and occasionally, I had another to ensure I was getting it right).

How the Best Bartesian Pods Were Selected

I considered factors like sugar content, calorie count, taste, and how strong the drinks made with the pods were. (As a point of reference, some of these pods equal half the daily allowance of 50 grams of sugar recommended by the Dietary Guidelines for Americans for 2020–2025.) In addition, I considered each one’s drinkability—a term that differs from taste—and how easy it was to sip each one.

Six of the greatest Bartesian pods are listed below for any barbecue, party, or summertime cocktail-sipping occasion.

1.      Lemon Drop: 19 in strength

• Dietary: 12
• Sensation: 16
• 17 is the drinkability
• Factor Summer: 18
• In total, 82
• Vodka and Liquor Pairing
• Profile of Flavor: Lemon
• 16 sugars
• 70 calories

This pod, out of all the others, tastes the closest to the well-known and beloved classic cocktail: it’s sweet and lemony with a pronounced vodka taste. This pod has less sugar than most, allowing the tartness to take center stage. This tied for first place with the Long Island below, despite my preference for other flavors (see the Apple Pie below), which had the highest overall ranking across all categories. Regarding nutrition, it’s in the middle of the pack. It would be great in a pitcher for a backyard BBQ, adding to its summer-ready appeal (especially when paired with a sugar rim garnish), and it went down the hatch without any problems, even with its high alcohol content.

2.      Strength: 19 Long Island Iced Tea

• Dietary: 13
• Sensation: 17
• 18 is the drinkability
• Ready for Summer: 16
• In total, 82
• Cocktail Pairing: Tequila and Rum
• Profile of Flavors: Coconut, citrus
• 14 sugars
• 60 calories

The reputation of Long Island iced teas as “hangovers in a glass” is well-deserved, and the Bartesian variety lives up to the hype. This is a delightful drink (14 grams of sugar, or more if you use Malibu), but the tequila and rum combination also quickly and surprisingly makes you drunk. Even though it doesn’t taste like juice, it is incredibly drinkable. Though it is slightly less summery, you can pair it with Malibu if you want a more tropical taste. With less sugar than the Rum Breeze and the Sex on the Beach, it’s a slightly healthier way to satisfy your sweet tooth.

3.      A Margarita

• Power: 17
• Dietary: 11
• 18-Taste
• 18 is the drinkability
• Ready for Summer: 17
• In total: 81
• Tequila Pairing with Liquor
• Profile of Flavors: Citrus, cinnamon
• 18 sugars
• 80 calories

My expectations were not high for the Bartesian Margarita. I expected this to lean heavily in one direction, which was not a good way because homemade margars can vary greatly depending on the mix used. Some are sugary-sweet, while others have far more of a citrusy kick. Not only did I think the juice blend in the pod was just the right amount of tart and syrupy, but it also had a surprising cinnamon flavor that caught me off guard. I loved it so much that I could see myself approaching the bar to request a dash of the spice in a marg. It earned it because it was enjoyable, summery, and delicious.

4.      Pie with apples

• Power: 18
• dietary: 11
• 19 Taste
• 18 is the drinkability
• Ready for Summer: 14
• In total, 88
• Matching Spirits: Whiskey and vodka
• Taste Profile: Apple
• 19 sugars
• 80 calories

Out of the whole batch, this was my absolute favorite cocktail. It had more sugar than most, but that didn’t matter because I’m not usually a whiskey girl (well, not until the occasional whiskey lemonade). I felt neither overpowered by the sweetness nor like my throat was on fire after taking a sip, thanks to the extra kick of whiskey, which balanced this cocktail out perfectly. It’s one of the few pod drinks I felt like I could have again rather than reserving for a special occasion, even though it is a special occasion, thanks to the lovely cinnamon garnish (available separately). Although it didn’t feel like summer (in a list of the best), it still received points.

5.      International

• Power: 15
• dietary: 13
• Sensation: 17
• 17 is the drinkability
• Factor Summer: 17
• Total: 79
• Vodka and Liquor Pairing
• Profile of Flavor: tart cherry
• 13 sugars and 60 calories

Explaining why Cosmo (or its significant resurgence) so fascinated Carrie Bradshaw and the other members of the Sex and the City gang is not tricky. One of the better options for a cocktail that is low in calories and sugar, with only 60 calories per serving and a decent strength, this one had me puckering my lips before I fixed the duckbill situation. These are good middle-of-the-road pods, and I intend to use them often (and guilt-free).

6.      Strength: 20 Whiskey Sour

• 10 in terms of nutrition
• Appetite: 17
• Drinkability
• Summer-Ready: 14
• Completion: 76
• The whiskey flavor profile for pairing with liquors Sanitized
• Twenty sugars; 80 calories

The whiskey sour will make you feel hairy on your chest if you’re the kind of person who enjoys strong drinks. The spirit shines through despite having a whopping 20 grams of sugar, making it practically hard to down the drink quickly. That’s not to say I didn’t like it; in fact, I thought it tasted great and could see myself drinking it on a steamy summer’s evening, fruitiness be damned. After one, I might have to break off.

7.      Strength of Painkiller: 12

• dietary: 8
• Sensation: 16
• 16 is the drinkability
• Factor Summer: 20
• Total: 72
• Rum and Liquor Pairing
• Profile of Flavor: Pear
• 25 sugars
• 110 calories

After taking a sip of this, you’ll find yourself mentally transported to a remote island where you can swing around in a hammock in the breeze all day long while holding a potent painkiller in one hand and a good book in the other. This is the midsummer tropical escape you’ve been looking for, with flavors that dance around your tongue, like coconut and peaches. Granted that a pint-sized pod contains half of your recommended daily sugar intake, it’s not a health-conscious option, but hey, you’re on “vacation,” right?

8.      The Rum Breeze

• Power: Twelve
• dietary: 9
• 15-Taste
• 19 is the drinkability
• Ready for Summer: 17
• Total: 72
• Rum and Liquor Pairing
• Profile of Flavor: Coconut
• 23 sugars
• 110 calories

If you’ve tried coconut juice, you’ve experienced the Bartesian Rum Breeze. It made it incredibly simple to drink, but at 23 sugars and 110 calories, I felt I was merely squandering calories that weren’t worth it. I believe the sweetness of the Malibu increased the overall sugary profile of the drink, so I imagine the flavor profile might shift slightly when paired with a darker rum.
It was enjoyable enough for the four minutes available and went well with my summertime mood, but given its poor nutritional value, I wouldn’t necessarily seek it out.

Conclusion

Bartesian pods are available at Target1. Their Bartesian cocktail maker comes in a range of flavors. A simple button push can produce bar-caliber concoctions with the Bartesian cocktail maker, a convenient way to enjoy premium cocktails at home. It’s ideal for mixing drinks with your preferred alcoholic beverages, such as vodka2, gin, rum, whiskey, or tequila2. Moreover, Costco offers six drink capsules and the Bartesian Premium Cocktail Machine online3. Salutations!