At first glance, the Coke Freestyle machine looks like something you might find stashed away in Mos Eisley Cantina -- minus the grime.
But while its sleek, sweeping lines could have come out of George Lucas' "Star Wars," the dispenser's purpose is unmistakably 21st century: It allows customers to choose from more than 100 drink variations to suit their taste specifications.
Coca-Cola Co. deployed its first Freestyle machines in Atlanta and Orange County, Calif., back in 2009, but only recently -- April 19 -- brought one to Fairfield County.
It's at the Desert Moon Cafe, 113 Mill Plain Road. According to Desert Moon operations manager Michelle Cullen, and is only the third such vending machine in the state.
"They (Coke) just started doing it in the New York area," she said.
Cullen says the machine has already begun to drum up excitement among the fast-food Mexican restaurant's customers.
"We've seen, I say conservatively, at least a 2 percent increase in sales," Cullen said. "We actually have people just get a drink (without ordering food), to try the machine. People are buying two sodas instead of one, because they see the machine."
Using the touch-screen interface, customers can choose from 104 drink varieties, ranging from the relatively tame (Sprite with orange) to the quixotic (caffeine-free Diet Coke with peach).
After the customer finishes his or her order, the $18,000 machine whirs into action to concoct the drink, combining carbonated water with one of the 26 concentrated syrup cartridges.
The entire process takes only a few seconds, Cullen said.
"What it basically does, it makes your drink to order," she said. "As you push the button, it creates the soda for you at that moment."
Contact Libor Jany at ljany@newstimes.com or 203-731-3350
