Cocktail Scaling Calculator
Batch any cocktail by its ratio — get the ounces of each ingredient for the number of drinks you need.
How it works
per-drink ingredient = (its ratio part ÷ sum of parts) × drink size · batch = per-drink × number of drinks
A cocktail is a ratio, so batching is pure proportion: split the drink size among the ingredients by their share of the total parts, then multiply by how many drinks you need. A classic sour is 2:1:1 — two parts spirit, one citrus, one sweet. The one thing the ratio does not include is dilution: a drink served over or shaken with ice picks up 20–25% water, which you add separately when pre-batching so the batch is not too strong.
Worked example
A 2:1:1 sour at 4 oz per drink splits into 2 oz spirit, 1 oz citrus and 1 oz sweetener per glass (4 total parts). For 8 drinks that is 16 oz spirit, 8 oz citrus and 8 oz sweet — 32 oz total, plus about 7 oz water if you are pre-diluting.
Frequently asked questions
Should I add water to a batched cocktail?
Yes, if it would normally be shaken or stirred with ice. Individual drinks gain 20–25% of their volume as melted-ice dilution, and a pre-batch has none. Either stir the batch with plenty of ice before serving or add roughly 22% of the batch volume as water.
What ratio should I use for a given cocktail?
Common templates: a sour is 2:1:1 (spirit:citrus:sweet), a daiquiri leans 2:1:0.75, a Negroni is 1:1:1, and an old fashioned is closer to 8:1 spirit-to-sweet with bitters. Start from the template and adjust the sweet-and-sour parts to taste.
How do I convert ounces to milliliters or bottles?
One US fluid ounce is 29.57 ml, and a standard 750 ml bottle holds about 25.4 oz. So 16 oz of spirit is just under two-thirds of a bottle — handy for a shopping list when you scale up for a party.
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This calculator is for educational purposes. Double-check important results before acting on them.