Cocktail Menu

How to make a cocktail menu

A cocktail menu lists the mixed drinks a bar offers, from house signatures to recognizable classics, with enough detail that a guest knows what they are ordering. Good ones describe each drink by its base spirit and character, group by style, and price to reflect the prep behind the pour. MenuCrafters structures the list and publishes it to a hosted page.

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Cocktails sell on suggestion. The menu does the upselling for you when each drink reads clearly — the base spirit, the flavor, the feel — so a guest commits without quizzing the bartender. Keep descriptions to a single evocative line, list signatures first, and let classics anchor the rest.

What goes on a cocktail menu

Each entry needs a name, the core ingredients, and a short line of character. Lead with the base spirit so guests navigate by what they like to drink. Put your signatures and highest-margin builds at the top, then group the rest by spirit or style.

  • Name, base spirit, and key ingredients for each drink
  • A single line of flavor and character, not a full ingredient list
  • Signatures and high-margin builds listed first
  • Optional zero-proof section for non-drinkers

Pricing built drinks

Cost each cocktail by its full build — spirit, modifiers, garnish, and ice — then price to a target cost percentage. Labor-heavy or premium-spirit drinks justify a higher price, but keep the spread within a category tight so nothing looks mispriced.

Step by step

  1. 1

    List your builds

    Group signatures and classics, with a zero-proof section if you pour one.

  2. 2

    Describe each drink

    Lead with the base spirit and add one line of flavor and character.

  3. 3

    Cost and price

    Cost the full build and price to your target margin with the food cost calculator.

  4. 4

    Publish for the bar

    Publish a hosted page and add a QR code at the bar and on tables.

Frequently asked questions

What should a cocktail menu include?
Each drink needs a name, its base spirit, the key ingredients, and one line of character. Lead with the base spirit so guests navigate by what they like, and list your signatures first.
How do I price cocktails?
Cost each drink by its full build — spirit, modifiers, garnish, and ice — then price to a target cost percentage. Labor-heavy or premium builds justify a higher price.

Keep exploring

Drinks menu guideBar menu guideBar menu templateHow to make a bar menu

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