Review: Parlage Perlini Carbonated Cocktail System
Review: Parlage Perlini Carbonated Cocktail System
I have to confess, this device has been sitting in Drinkhacker HQ for close to a year now. It is, simply, a system for carbonating cocktails, sans seltzer. Now I love cocktails, and I love gadgets, so why have I feared this thing? For one reason, really: I’m reluctant to drink anything if I have to watch a video to figure out how to use it.
In the end, the Perlini Carbonated Cocktail System is not as complicated as it looks. Packaged in a metal attache case, there are dozens of components inside, and the presentation is decidedly off-putting. But that video (and this one, though it’s in French) does clear everything up nicely.
At its heart, the Perlini is a cocktail shaker. You load it with ice and ingredients, then seal it shut. There’s a valve at the top to which you attach a CO2 dispenser — those little metal canisters — and pressurize the contents of the shaker. Shake it up, then let it rest for 15 seconds. Release the valve, and you’re ready to pour — the top has a built-in strainer. A CO2 cartridge seems to last for quite a while, though I’m not sure exactly how long since I’ve yet to empty the first one. 10 cartridges come with the kit.
There are numerous ways to add sparkle to a cocktail — from simply adding club soda to using an iSi canister. At $199, the Perlini system is pretty much the most expensive way I know, but it also lends itself to cocktails better than most thanks to its design. I tried it with numerous recipes and was impressed by the results. It was also easy to use once I got the hang of it. The only catch: It’s not dishwasher-safe.
Ultimately I’m not sure I’d spend this kind of cash on a carbonator when I could have a couple of bottles of my favorite whiskeys for the same price, but as wild barware novelties go, Perlini is pretty much untouchable.
B+ / $199 [BUY IT NOW FROM AMAZON]
Parlage Perlini Carbonated Cocktail System
$199
I want this thing so badly I don’t have words for it.
Well, this or something equivalent.
I’m actually more interested in making my own carbonating shaker from spare brass or something..
Greetings of the day,
hi this naveen from hyderabad (india) i am working for finest bar in novotel. i would like to buy one set of perlini cocktail shaker. please help me out . how to buy and mode of payment. i am looking forward for your mail.
thanks and regards
naveen kumar
09866054225 moblie number
well i think ive figured out a way to get the price down on this spend £50 on the shaker then make your own Commerical Pressuriser using a co2 regulator , co2 tubeing off course and tyre inflator with a rubber thing on the end they use for filling balloons just for getting a good seal on the shaker. the thing they are selling is the same apart from its realy expensive. If you look at it, all the gun does is realease the co2 its the regulator that controls the preasure(which means carbonation ).
Its not that hard to find out what psi it needs to be to get proper carbination well beer is like 12-14 psi and coke is like 15 psi but id start lower and then dile it up looking how carbinated it gets.
or if any one knows any one with a perlini Commerical Pressuriser ask them for the psi on the regulator.
I recon you could build it for less than £50 maybe £30 the regulator is the most expensive bit . I know it sounds funny but think about it i bet we all work in bars an know about co2 any ways . Just look at their Commerical Pressuriser that is all it is.
think its cool but way too expensive
thanks guys :)
correction just found the perfect thing its the same called an air blow gun with a rubber safty nosel
Jellydonut: Not to rub it in, but I have one and love it. When youmake a cocktail and add co2 to the mix, it takes the taste of the drink to a whole new level.
Naveen: Your not in the USA or Canada. I believe the company is in Seatle or the woman I coresponded with was from there. Anyway, go to perlagesystems or type in Perlini carbonate systems and you’ll get to their site. Email them. they’re great people.
Oliver: You’re right, you can make your own co2 system. I believe the co2 cartridges are set to 65 pounds not 12-15. Big difference, but anyway, I bought it because I have a custom made bar in my basement. I use the Perlini system as a bar tool as would you use a bar spoon to stir drinks. Expensive, yes, but worth every penny to me. I’m preparing to set up a co2 system to accommodate the Perlini and tap 2 kegs of beer at the same time. It would only require me to have 2 ports to run off a dual body 3 gauge regulatorand a air manifold to control the 2 sankey beer taps and the Perlini line. What this will do is I can have the beer a different pressure than the Perlini. Good luck with your system.
Perlini CopyCat Hack
I want to try carbonated cocktails and spending $100-$200 on a Perlini is a bit too spendy, since I already have a home carbonator setup.
http://www.ourfoodshed.com/blog/2012/1/27/302-Bubbles-To-Booze-A-Look-At-Carbonated-Cocktails
…Other recipes available if you google: Perlini carbonation recipes , or carbonated cocktails
The Perlini is made of Lexan-plastic and opens to reveal a wide-opening to add ice
That got me thinking about using a BPA-Free Lexan-plastic wide mouth Nalgene Bottle
I google around a bit and found that others had used Nalgenes as “pressure vessels” either with dry ice (for fruit) or compressed air
Compressed Air + Nalgene
http://forums.watchuseek.com/f71/poor-mans-pressure-test-chamber-does-sound-feasable-273326.html
Dry Ice and Fruit + Nalgene
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-Make-Carbonated-Fruit/?ALLSTEPS
PVC pipe as a CO2 pressure vessel + how to make your own home carbonator…
http://www.instructables.com/id/How-to-carbonate-nearly-anything-make-your-own-ca/?ALLSTEPS
I am going to make my own Perlini-style drink shaker with a 1-1.5L Nalgene bottle and one of the stainless valve stems sold on ebay see: “Tubeless stainless Tire Valve Stem straight”
Similar to the previously mentioned Compressed Air + Nalgene and I will likely put the valve in the cap so I have an easy to work with flat surface that is replaceable, if needed.