Frozen cocktail machine: A day in the life
Our frozen drinks machines aren’t just tools – they’re part of the team.
With over 150 of these trusty units in our fleet, it can be a challenge to keep track of them all. That’s why each one has its own unique name. Some are inspired by TV characters like Del-boy, Dexter, Ross, and Monica. Others are a bit more punny, with names like Freezus, Keanu Freeze, and Vanilla Ice. And then there are the normal named ones. But no matter what they’re called, each machine has its own story, and we love seeing where their journey takes them.
Take Pedro, for instance.
He’s a 3-year-old machine from Electrolux, and he had quite the adventure last year. Pedro got to work at Imbibe, Balter Festival, Parklife, Glastonbury, Bluedot, and Boomtown before taking a well-deserved winter break.
This year, he’s already been busy at Brockwell Park’s festivals – Mighty Hoopla, Cross the Tracks, and Lambeth Country Show. He’s even made a return to Glastonbury and had a stint at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium for Travis Scott's show. And with plenty more events lined up, who knows where he’ll pop up next?
Now, before you start thinking Pedro’s living the dream, let’s set the record straight – life as an Icely Done frozen drinks machine isn’t all sunshine and music. It’s a tough gig.
And off to work he goes
The day typically starts in the early hours, with Pedro and his mates loaded onto a van before the sun’s even up. They’re off on a long journey from our Hertfordshire warehouse to some muddy festival field.
Once they arrive, there’s no time to rest. It’s straight to work, freezing down those delicious, frosty concoctions. Rain or shine, frozen cocktails are always in demand at festivals, so our machines are running non-stop from the moment the gates open until the bars close on the final day. And while the festivalgoers are enjoying the acts, Pedro and the team are too busy to join in the fun.
Then back to base: repair, refresh, repeat
When the festival’s over, it’s back to Icely Done HQ for Pedro – tired, sticky, and maybe a bit worse for wear. (Hopefully, not too much – go easy on those handles, folks.) Once back, it’s time for a deep clean. We strip him down, rebuild, lubricate, and test everything to make sure he’s ready to do it all over again next week.
The icy reward
It’s a long, hard summer for our frozen drinks machines, but it’s worth it. Because at the end of the day, there’s nothing more satisfying than crafting delicious frozen cocktails and putting smiles on faces.
So, next time you spot Pedro, Chandler, Freezus, Daffy, or any of our other 160 machines, take a moment to appreciate the journey they’ve been on to bring you that ice-cold refreshment.
Written by Charlie Allen - Events and Commercial Controller