Cocktail Dilution Calculator
Calculate the final ABV of a cocktail after stirring or shaking with ice. Pro bartenders aim for ~20% dilution shaken, ~15% stirred.
Inputs
About Cocktail Dilution Calculator
Why dilution matters
Cocktail recipes assume a target dilution. Without it, drinks are harsh and unbalanced. The water from melted ice during stirring/shaking integrates the flavors and tames alcohol. Aim for ~22% ABV in finished stirred drinks like Martini, ~18% in shaken drinks like Daiquiri.
Stirring vs shaking
Shake when there’s citrus, dairy, or eggs (needs aeration and quick chilling). Stir for spirits-forward drinks (Martini, Manhattan) to preserve clarity and texture. Shaking adds more dilution than stirring (~20% vs ~15%) and creates a different mouthfeel.
Standard drink
US: 14 g pure alcohol = 0.6 fl oz = 1.5 oz of 80-proof (40% ABV) spirits = 12 oz of 5% beer = 5 oz of 12% wine. Useful for tracking responsible consumption regardless of beverage strength.