Cocktail Batch Scaler
Enter one drink, choose how many you’re making, and get the full batch — including the water that melting ice would normally add.
Add at least one ingredient with an amount above zero to scale the batch.
Total batch
for drinks · each
- Base mix (no water)
- Water for dilution (%)
- Final batch volume
- Estimated batch ABV ABV. Alcohol by volume — the percentage of a drink that is pure alcohol.
Batching notes
Batching cocktails — common questions
How do I scale a cocktail for a big batch?
Multiply every ingredient in a single drink by the number of drinks you want, then add water to stand in for the dilution that stirring or shaking with ice normally provides. This tool does both at once: enter one drink, set the batch size, pick how it’s mixed, and it returns each ingredient’s total plus the exact water to add so the batched drink tastes like a fresh one.
Why do I need to add water to a batched cocktail?
When you stir or shake a single drink over ice, some of that ice melts into the drink — usually adding 20–30% of its volume in water. That dilution is part of the recipe; it softens the alcohol and balances the flavours. If you batch ahead and serve without ice, you have to add that water in yourself, or the drink will taste harsh and over-strong.
How much dilution should I add?
A good rule of thumb is about 20–25% added water for a stirred drink (a Negroni or Old Fashioned) and 25–30% for a shaken one (a Margarita or Daiquiri), because shaking melts more ice. Drinks served over fresh ice need no pre-dilution, since the ice in the glass dilutes them as people sip. This tool uses those presets and lets you fine-tune the percentage.
How is the batch ABV calculated?
For each ingredient, the tool multiplies its volume by the alcohol percentage you enter to get its pure-alcohol content, adds those up across the whole batch, and divides by the final volume after the dilution water is added. A typical stirred or shaken cocktail lands around 18–24% ABV once diluted — noticeably gentler than the 30%+ of the undiluted pour. It’s an estimate, so always check your bottle labels.
What does “one part” mean in a cocktail recipe?
A “part” is a ratio, not a fixed measure — “2 parts gin to 1 part vermouth” keeps the same proportions whether a part is an ounce, 30 mL, or a whole cup. Choose the “part” unit and set what one part equals, and the calculator turns the ratio into real volumes for your batch. It’s handy when a recipe is written as a ratio rather than in ounces or millilitres.
Can I make the batch a day ahead?
Spirit-forward batches (Negroni, Manhattan, Old Fashioned) keep for days or even weeks refrigerated, because alcohol and sugar are good preservatives. Anything with fresh citrus is best mixed the same day, as lemon and lime juice turn dull and bitter within hours. A safe approach is to batch the spirits, vermouths, and syrups ahead, then stir in fresh citrus and any bubbles right before serving.