Bartesian's cocktail makers are the tech-savvy equivalent of a Keurig for cocktails, but their $300 price tag leaves one question lingering: who's actually buying them?

The Duet model allows you to create a variety of drinks with just a push of a button. You add your spirits and a Bartesian capsule containing concentrated mixes before letting the machine do its thing. However, the novelty wears off quickly when you realise that true cocktail lovers might find their creations lacking.

My friends and I enjoyed the initial novelty but struggled to identify our target demographic beyond party hosts or those with extra counter space. The capsules don’t contain alcohol, leading to non-alcoholic approximations for classic cocktails like aviations. We all resorted to adding seltzer and lemon juice to improve the taste.

Despite its potential in coworking spaces or retirement homes, the Bartesian might just be a solution that solves problems no one really had. It’s a fascinating gadget but perhaps not as transformative as it seems.