14 DAY TRIAL // Cocktails are always present at receptions, parties and other sorts of gatherings, both formal and informal. Somabar probably won't be as big a hit with guests as a professional bartender, but it should help cover the basics in a pinch.
Somabar is a device created by Ammar Jangbarwala and Dylan Purcell-Lowe, one that promises to mix any cocktail you want, provided you always keep it stocked with the necessary drinks.
Described as a robotic bartender, it will prepare fresh cocktails at the touch of a button, even if you're half a town away.
Well, technically you can be half a world away as long as you have your smartphone with you, but there's no point in ordering a (fresh) drink if you won't be there for days.
The Somabar robotic bartender
On the one hand, calling this thing a robot is kind of a misnomer. On the other hand, other kitchen appliances are called robots without having many more moving parts, so we'll just go with it.
Somabar uses a number of airtight containers, called Soma Pods, to hold various raw drinks or drink essences. Depending on what kind of drink you order, it will combine them in different doses.
As far as personal bartenders go, it will definitely not be a great conversationalist or source of gossip. On the other hand, it will definitely deliver on your order.
Don't expect the same variety of mixed drinks as from the real thing though, because for all its self-sufficiency the Somabar wouldn't even know where to begin combining existing, bottled liquors and side ingredients.
Still, you'll nonetheless have access to a significant variety, and you'll even be able to build your very own cocktail from scratch.
The app lets you choose the drink ingredients and doses of whatever you place in the Soma Pods. You could, for instance, spend a subway trip preparing it on the app and send the start message once you step off. The Somabar will have the drink ready for you by the time you go through the door of your home.
Availability and pricing
Sadly, the Somabar is just a Kickstarter campaign for now, so the only way to get one is to make a pledge of $399 / €328 and wait until mid-January. Fortunately, you needn't worry about whether or not the funding goal will be reached because it has already been beaten more than thrice over.
