Cana One claims to be the “world’s first molecular beverage printer”

If the Cana One does what it claims to do, it could be the salvation of many a thirsty person. Or the ruination of anyone with spare cash and a drinking problem. Cana, the company behind the Cana One, claims to have made the “world’s first molecular beverage printer”.

In practise, that’s a little like having a Star Trek food synthesizer in your home. Only it only makes what are euphemistically called ‘beverages’. That could be anything from flavoured soda water to full-on cocktails. It’s a robot bartender, is what it is. Or, at least, that’s what it claims to be.

Cana One, Cana two, Cana one, two, three, four…

The idea at the core of this product is that a set of varied cartridges lets it dispense thousands of different drinks. Think of it as a combination of a Soda Stream and a Philips coffeemaker, but with a focus on alcohol. If that’s what you want.

Cana’s product uses a flavour cartridge, an alcohol cartridge, one for sugar, and a carbonation cylinder. Using a 7in touchscreen, or a companion smartphone app, users can request specific drinks. And they only pay for the drinks they have, apparently. Cartridge refills are free, and users are charged per drink. It’s these last two points that bode poorly for a South African launch, but it’s cool nonetheless.

Drinks are charged between $0.29 (R4.50 — carbonated water) and $2.99 (R46 – for cocktails). The cartridges are replaced as they empty, but you’ll wind up paying per drink. It might not be a great idea to have an open bar night at your house, is what we’re saying. Cana’s idea makes even drinks into a subscription service, but it could be a very workable concept. Provided it doesn’t go Juicero-shaped.

There’s nothing to suggest that it might, besides that lofty claim. It’s mostly a question of whether the idea of paying per-drink in your own home will catch on. The company seems fairly confident, though. It’s charging R1,550 for buyers to reserve a Cana One, with the first 10,000 buyers shelling out R7,700 for a unit. After that, these so-called ‘drink printers’ go up to R12,300 a pop. They’re set to start shipping in 2023. You can bet we’re keen on seeing what they can do just as soon as they’re out.