How to Calculate Cocktail Cost
A practical guide to costing a cocktail from bottle purchase prices, recipe measurements and selling price.
1. Cost each ingredient
Use: ingredient cost = (amount used ÷ container size) × purchase price.
A 700ml bottle costing €22 with a 40ml pour costs 40 ÷ 700 × €22 = €1.26 in the drink.
2. Add the recipe
Add every spirit, liqueur, mixer, syrup and other costed ingredient. If you want a more complete recipe cost later, add garnishes and wastage assumptions explicitly rather than hiding them inside the formula.
3. Calculate pour cost
Pour cost % = drink cost ÷ selling price × 100. A €2.40 cocktail sold for €12 has a 20% pour cost.
4. Calculate gross profit
Gross profit = selling price − drink cost. At €12 selling price and €2.40 cost, gross profit is €9.60 per drink. This is not net profit.
5. Use a target to suggest a price
Suggested price = drink cost ÷ target pour cost. At a 20% target, €2.40 ÷ 0.20 = €12.
6. Check the result against your actual menu
Pricing should also reflect demand, positioning, competition, VAT treatment, wastage, labour and other operating costs. A calculator is a decision aid, not a substitute for your full P&L.
Cost a cocktail nowFrequently asked questions
What is cocktail cost?
The sum of the cost allocated to each ingredient used in one drink.
What is pour cost?
The drink cost expressed as a percentage of its selling price.
Is gross profit the same as net profit?
No. Gross profit here only subtracts ingredient cost. Net profit would require other business expenses.