Drinkworks, Maker Of Pod-Based Home Cocktail Machines, Has Its Last Call

In the world of niche smart appliances, one particular style of machine is the home cocktail making device. Drinkworks, a joint-venture between Keurig Dr Pepper and Anheuser-Busch that debuted its first device in 2018 in a pilot program, is one such product, making it typically easy and convenient to enjoy pre-batched cocktails from pods inserted into it.

Unfortunately, Drinkworks, having just gone nationwide with its flagship offering in June, 2020, has now done last call for your home bar, with it being announced today the company was beginning shut down procedures effective immediately.

“Today we made the difficult decision to close Drinkworks, with sales of Drinkmaker machines ceasing immediately, and sales of cocktail pods ending March 31, 2022,” said Nathaniel Davis, CEO, Drinkworks, in a statement provided to us upon request. “I want to thank our passionate community of Drinkworks consumers, employees and partners for their support over the past four years. Consumers that purchased Drinkmaker machines can visit https://www.DrinkworksRefundProgram.com to determine their eligibility for reimbursement.”

Interestingly, in reference to how Drinkworks will process potential reimbursements for those who own these machines, the company makes note on its website that you can seek your money back “no matter where or when you bought” one of these appliances. The window for this closes February 28, 2022.

Up through today there was seemingly no external indications plans were afoot to shut things down. A press release put out by Drinkworks in mid-October, for example, highlighted the pending release for the holidays of the nearly $300 Home Bar Classic, described at the time as delivering “the same elevated drinking experience and variety of bar-quality cocktails consumers expect from Drinkworks, with a smaller countertop footprint and less set-up time.”

For those unfamiliar with the Drinkworks machines, they in essence allowed you to make use of “Drinkworks Pods to prepare cocktails, brews, ciders and more at the push of a button” via “precision on-board chilling and carbonation systems.” One downloaded an app to their smartphone and followed on-screen and on device instructions on what to do. A variety of Pod types are available, including some premium offerings tied to a range of well known whiskey (and other spirits) brands.