Alcohol Cost Calculator
Calculate the cost and pricing of your drinks
Use this Alcohol Cost Calculator to determine the cost per drink and suggested selling price based on bottle price, pour size, and pour cost percentage. Perfect for home bartenders or businesses pricing cocktails, beers, and spirits.
Liquor Cost per Ounce
Cost: $0.98
Drink Cost
Cost: $1.50
Suggested Drink Price
Price: $7.50
Want to Track Calories?
If you’re monitoring drink impacts, try our Calorie in Alcohol Calculator to calculate calories in beverages based on volume and ABV.
About the Alcohol Cost Calculator
This Alcohol Cost Calculator helps you estimate the cost of a drink and determine a profitable selling price. By inputting bottle price, pour size, mixer cost, and pour cost percentage, you can calculate liquor cost per ounce and suggested drink price, ideal for home or business use.
How to Use the Calculator
- Enter the bottle price in dollars.
- Input the bottle size and select the unit (ml or oz).
- Specify the alcohol pour size for the drink and select the unit.
- Add any mixer cost (optional, default is $0).
- Enter the desired pour cost percentage (e.g., 20% for a 20% cost-to-price ratio).
- Click “Calculate Cost” to view the results.
The Science Behind Drink Pricing
Drink pricing involves calculating the cost of ingredients and applying a pour cost percentage to determine a selling price. Key formulas include:
- Liquor Cost per Ounce = Bottle Price / Ounces in Bottle
- Drink Cost = (Pour Size in oz × Liquor Cost per oz) + Mixer Cost
- Suggested Drink Price = Drink Cost / (Pour Cost % / 100)
A typical pour cost for bars is 15-25%, balancing profitability and customer value. For more, see WebstaurantStore’s guide on liquor pricing.
Common Drink Cost Examples
Typical costs and prices for common drinks (assuming $25 for a 750ml bottle and 20% pour cost):
Vodka Shot (1.5 oz)
Cost: ~$1.50, Price: ~$7.50
Whisky Neat (2 oz)
Cost: ~$2.00, Price: ~$10.00
Margarita (2 oz tequila)
Cost: ~$2.50, Price: ~$12.50
Gin & Tonic (1.5 oz)
Cost: ~$1.75, Price: ~$8.75
Wine Glass (5 oz)
Cost: ~$2.00, Price: ~$10.00
Frequently Asked Questions
How does an alcohol cost calculator work?
Our alcohol cost calculator computes liquor cost per ounce (Bottle Price / Ounces in Bottle), drink cost (Pour Size × Cost per oz + Mixer Cost), and suggested drink price (Drink Cost / Pour Cost %). It helps you price drinks accurately for home or business use.
What is pour cost in drink pricing?
Pour cost is the percentage of a drink’s selling price that covers its ingredient costs. For example, a 20% pour cost means the drink cost is 20% of the price. Our alcohol cost calculator uses this to suggest profitable drink prices.
Why should I use an alcohol cost calculator?
An alcohol cost calculator ensures accurate pricing by calculating liquor and mixer costs, helping you set profitable prices while staying competitive. It’s ideal for bartenders, restaurant owners, or home mixologists planning events.
Can the alcohol cost calculator handle mixed drinks?
Yes, our calculator accounts for mixed drinks by allowing you to input alcohol pour size and mixer cost. This ensures accurate cost calculations for cocktails, highballs, or other mixed beverages.
How accurate is an alcohol cost calculator?
The alcohol cost calculator is highly accurate when provided with correct bottle price, size, pour size, and mixer cost. Variations in actual pour sizes or additional costs (e.g., garnishes) may slightly affect results, so verify inputs for precision.