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Mechanical Mixologist

Rogue Projects

Inception Group & Bombay Sapphire

London based design studio Rogue Projects have developed an Isambard Brunel inspired cocktail machine.

A collaboration between Rogue Projects, Bombay Sapphire and Inception Group, the 'Mechanical Mixologist' was designed as an experience-driven invention that enables patrons to watch their Negroni being made and take a trip in time.

It was commissioned for the Victorian-themed Mr Fogg's 'Society of Exploration'. The underground cocktail bar opened in September 2018, a stone's throw from the bustling Charing Cross station where Mr Fogg, the protagonist in Jules Verne's 1873 novel Around the World in Eighty Days embarked upon his infamous journey around the world.

Design Team

The Mechanical Mixologist

Detail of Bombay Sapphire jewel on brass disk

Close up of Mr Foggs ice stamp

Mechanical Mixologist Components

Mechanical Mixologist Elevation

Mechanical Mixologist etchings

Mechanical Mixologist prototyping

Mechanical Mixologist processing unit detail

Mechanical Mixologist studio assembly

The studio modelled its industrial machine from hearty Victorian invention and modern micro-distilleries, creating an engineered object with a unique and experimental narrative.

Designer of the Mechanical Mixologist, Richard Moss said, "We wanted to build a machine that Phileas Fogg would approve of, something experiential and authentic. The period concept offered an ode to the age of steamwhile representing the time and travel woven in Jules Verne's novel."

"The build and automation were complex with many moving parts and design constraints. We needed to find a fabricator who was comfortable and courageous with a multi-layered design brief, and someone that shared our sense of curiosity and imagination. The natural fit was Nick Reneckles, the founder of Nicholas Alexander and a specialist in mechanical installations."

The machine's objective was to make a precision measured Negroni in under one minute. Ice is dropped into a glass with a linear guide and a lifting arm that is driven by a geared motor. The glass moves along the conveyor to the pour station.

The wheel rotation begins and three unique ingredients led by Bombay Sapphire dispense from Victorian glass vessels. The wheel is mounted to an axle via a stepper motor and gearbox. The optic pour is operated using a custom brass arm that lifts via a shaped cam driven by an additional geared motor.

The glass continues along the conveyor to a final sensor where the ice is stamped with the Mr Fogg's insignia. The drink is then stirred using a linear actuator and motors driving a gear. The Negroni then slides onto the tray for its final dressing and then is served.

The one of a kind Mechanical Mixologist machine is installed and turning at the Mr Fogg's Society of Exploration on Bedford Street in the Strand.

Richard Moss, Designer - Rogue Projects

Nick Reneckles, Fabricator - Nicholas Alexander

Client: Inception Group

Client: Bombay Sapphire
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Mechanical Mixologist

Greg Blonder

2 years ago

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Well, a lovely design. But a real steam-punk mixology machine would be almost entirely mechanical. No steppers or microprocessors. A lost art....

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