Old Fashioned Cost Calculator
Bourbon dominates an old fashioned because there is little inexpensive mixer to spread the spirit cost across a larger drink, and a heavy free pour quickly changes the margin.
The bitters quantity represents roughly two dashes, while the garnish allowance covers an orange peel and one cocktail cherry; adjust it if your service uses only a peel.
Editable example: quantities are a typical standard spec and prices are plausible US wholesale estimates, not supplier quotes or current market data. Replace them with your own.
Example ingredient spec
Volumes are US fl oz; 750 ml = 25.36 oz and one liter = 33.8 oz. Garnish allowance: $0.18.
| Ingredient | Pack size (oz) | Pack price ($) | Used (oz) | Line cost ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| House bourbon | 25.36 | 18.00 | 2 | 1.42 |
| Rich syrup (prepared quart) | 32 | 3.00 | 0.25 | 0.02 |
| Aromatic bitters (4 oz bottle) | 4 | 8.00 | 0.06 | 0.12 |
Example menu price
Example cost per drink: $1.74. At 20% pour cost, the unrounded price is $8.71. Suggested price rounded up to the next $0.50: $9.00, giving 19.37% actual ingredient cost.
These example prices exclude labor, overhead and tax. The ingredient table and suggestion describe the starting spec; edit the calculator to cost your own version.
Formula
Line cost = bottle or pack price ÷ size × amount per drink; drink cost = sum of line costs + garnish. Pour cost % = drink cost ÷ menu price × 100; gross profit = menu price − drink cost; price at target = drink cost ÷ (target/100).
More to cost
Calculated free at thehospitalityinsider.com/cocktail-cost/old-fashioned