Cocktail ABV Calculator

How to Use the Cocktail ABV Calculator

1. Choose a cocktail preset or start from scratch: Click a preset button (Margarita, Mojito, Martini, etc.) to auto-fill a classic recipe, or start adding your own ingredients from scratch.
2. Add ingredients: For each ingredient, enter the name, volume (ml or oz), and its ABV percentage. Use the spirit quick-add buttons to add common spirits with their typical ABV pre-filled.
3. Set ice melt dilution: Estimate how much water the melting ice will add. Stirred drinks typically gain 40-60 ml, shaken drinks 50-80 ml, and blended drinks 100+ ml of water.
4. Click Calculate: View the final ABV, strength classification, standard drinks count, ingredient breakdown visualization, and step-by-step calculation.

Common Cocktail ABV Reference

Understanding ABV in Mixed Drinks

The ABV Formula

The formula for calculating a cocktail's ABV is straightforward:

Final ABV = (Total Pure Alcohol Volume ÷ Total Drink Volume) × 100

Where Total Pure Alcohol Volume is the sum of each ingredient's volume multiplied by its individual ABV percentage. Total Drink Volume includes all liquid ingredients plus any water from melting ice.

Why Ice Dilution Matters

Ice is a critical yet often overlooked component in cocktail ABV calculations. When ice melts, it adds water volume to the drink without adding alcohol, effectively lowering the ABV. The amount of dilution depends on several factors:

• Stirred cocktails (Martini, Old Fashioned, Negroni): Typically add 40-60 ml of water over 30-60 seconds of stirring.
• Shaken cocktails (Margarita, Daiquiri, Cosmopolitan): Add 50-80 ml of water due to more vigorous agitation.
• Blended/frozen cocktails (Piña Colada, Frozen Margarita): Add 100-150 ml or more as ice is fully crushed.
• On the rocks: Continuous dilution over time as ice melts in the glass.

Factors Affecting Ice Melt Rate

The type of ice significantly affects how quickly a drink dilutes:

• Large ice cubes/spheres: Melt slower due to lower surface-area-to-volume ratio. Best for spirit-forward cocktails where you want minimal dilution.
• Standard cubes: A good balance of cooling and dilution for most cocktails.
• Crushed ice: Melts rapidly, providing maximum cooling and dilution. Ideal for Juleps and Tiki drinks.
• Pebble ice: Falls between crushed and cubed. Popular for Tiki cocktails.

Standard Drink Equivalents

A US standard drink contains 14 grams (approximately 17.7 ml) of pure alcohol. This is equivalent to:

• 12 oz (355 ml) of regular beer at 5% ABV
• 5 oz (148 ml) of wine at 12% ABV
• 1.5 oz (44 ml) of distilled spirits at 40% ABV

Many cocktails contain 1.5 to 3 standard drinks. Knowing this helps you understand the true alcohol content of what you are drinking, regardless of glass size or the "lightness" of the flavor.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do you calculate the ABV of a cocktail?

To calculate a cocktail's ABV, multiply each ingredient's volume by its ABV percentage to get the pure alcohol volume. Sum all the pure alcohol volumes, then divide by the total drink volume (including ice melt dilution) and multiply by 100. For example, a Margarita with 60 ml tequila (40% ABV), 30 ml triple sec (30% ABV), and 30 ml lime juice (0% ABV) contains 24 + 9 + 0 = 33 ml pure alcohol in 120 ml total liquid. That gives 27.5% ABV before ice dilution.

How much does ice dilute a cocktail?

Ice typically dilutes a cocktail by adding 15-25% extra volume as it melts. A stirred cocktail gains roughly 40-60 ml of water, while a shaken one gains 50-80 ml. This dilution typically reduces the ABV by 3-8 percentage points, but it also improves the balance and flavor of most cocktails. Professional bartenders consider proper dilution essential to a well-made drink.

What is the average ABV of popular cocktails?

Most cocktails range from 10-25% ABV after ice dilution. Light cocktails like Mojitos and Spritzers are typically 8-13% ABV. Medium-strength drinks like Margaritas and Cosmopolitans run 15-22% ABV. Spirit-forward cocktails like Martinis, Old Fashioneds, and Negronis can reach 25-35% ABV. The exact ABV depends on the recipe proportions and amount of ice dilution.

What is a standard drink and how many are in a cocktail?

In the US, one standard drink contains 14 grams (0.6 oz) of pure alcohol. This equals about 12 oz of beer (5% ABV), 5 oz of wine (12% ABV), or 1.5 oz of distilled spirits (40% ABV). A typical Margarita contains about 1.5-2 standard drinks, while a Long Island Iced Tea can contain 3 or more. Our calculator shows the standard drink count for any recipe.

Does the type of ice affect cocktail dilution?

Yes! Large ice cubes and spheres melt slower due to their lower surface-area-to-volume ratio, resulting in less dilution. Crushed ice melts much faster, providing more dilution and quicker cooling. A large ice sphere in an Old Fashioned may add only 30 ml of water, while crushed ice in a Mint Julep could add 80+ ml. The calculator lets you adjust the ice melt volume based on your ice type.

Additional Resources

• Alcohol by Volume (ABV) - Wikipedia
• Standard Drink - Wikipedia
• Cocktail - Wikipedia