Flavor Mixing Straw

Instantly create custom beverages with the Flavor Mixing Straw! With around $10 in parts from the hardware store, you can turn three drinks into nine (correction: SEVEN. see comments) by turning a few valves.

Step 1: Parts & Tools

PARTS

1. 1/4" OD vinyl tubing (about 3' in length)

2. 3X 1/4" OD plastic quick-connect MIP straight valve

3. 1X 1/4" OD plastic quick-connect tee

3. 1X 1/4" X 1/8" plastic quick-connect C X MPT adaptor

TOOLS

1. Hand Drill

2. Scissors

Step 2: 3-Way Splitter

I couldn't find a 3-way splitter at the hardware store for 1/4" tubing, so I made my own. First, pick a drill bit that's slightly smaller in diameter than the threads of the adaptor and drill a hole in the top of the tee. Screw the adaptor into the hole using even pressure making sure to keep the adaptor level, and you should get a tight seal without having to tap threads in the hole.

Step 3: Measure & Cut Tubing

The bottle measures 9", so I cut the tubing that goes into the bottle at 11" to account for some wiggle room. The tubes connecting the valves to the tee are 2" long, and the straw end is 8" long.

Step 4: Assemble and Mix

To assemble, just push the tubing in until it stops. Now it's time to crack open some bottles and start mixing- with 3 drinks you get 9 possible combinations of flavors!