Free Drinks by Peter Camp and Magic Dream

Effect

The Free Drinks trick allows a magician to pour water into a glass and instantly transform it into a colored drink. The effect is visually striking, as the water changes color right before the audience's eyes. The magician can produce multiple drink colors (such as strawberry, lemon, orange, or even Coca-Cola) without refilling or switching glasses. The transformation is seamless, making it appear as though the water magically becomes the chosen beverage.

Full Details

Free Drinks is a modern take on the classic "any drink called for" plot. The trick uses a specially designed glass and a clever method to create the illusion of water changing into different colored drinks. The glass is made of durable polycarbonate, ensuring it can withstand repeated performances. The effect is repeatable—after drinking the first "drink," the magician can pour more water and produce another color.

The trick includes:

• A gimmicked glass that facilitates the color change.
• A straw (non-gimmicked but with a specific attribute).
• Refillable components to reset the trick between performances.

Unlike some similar effects, Free Drinks does not require a gimmicked water source—the magician can use any ordinary water bottle or jug.

Who Should Consider the Trick

• Kids' entertainers: The visual transformation and playful presentation make it ideal for children's shows.
• Stage and parlor performers: The effect plays well for larger audiences due to its visual nature.
• Mentalists: Can be adapted into a prediction routine where the spectator's chosen drink appears.
• Close-up magicians (with caution): While best suited for slightly distanced performances, careful handling can make it work in close-up settings.

Difficulty

Free Drinks is relatively easy to perform, with minimal sleight of hand required. The main challenge is the setup, which takes a few minutes to prepare between performances. The method is straightforward, but performers must ensure the glass is positioned correctly to avoid exposure.

What Magicians Say

• AlakazamMagicUK: "It's a great trick for kids' shows—you can make it a running gag throughout your performance."
• MonsterMagicShop: "The visual transformation is brilliant, but the colors might not perfectly match real drinks, so framing them as syrups helps."
• Magic-TV: "Not an instant reset, but the method is ingenious. The glass is durable, and the effect is repeatable with different colors."
• Craig Petty (via Magic-TV): "It's a strong visual piece, though not ideal for close-up due to angle sensitivity."

Overall, Free Drinks is a versatile and visually impressive trick that works well in various performance settings. While it requires some setup time, its repeatability and strong audience reactions make it a worthwhile addition to a magician's repertoire.