Cocktail Dilution Calculator
Find the final ABV after diluting a cocktail.
Stirred ≈ 25%, shaken ≈ 30%
Results update as you type.
How it works
Diluting a cocktail with melting ice is essential to how it tastes, and this calculator shows the effect on strength and volume. You enter the starting volume and alcohol by volume of your combined spirits, and the dilution percentage from stirring or shaking, and it returns the final ABV, the final volume, and the water added. Dilution matters because a well-made cocktail is not just its ingredients but also the water incorporated as ice melts during mixing, which softens the alcohol, opens up flavors, and brings the drink to its intended strength. Stirred cocktails like a Martini or Manhattan typically gain around 20 to 25 percent dilution, while shaken cocktails gain more, around 25 to 30 percent or higher, because vigorous shaking with ice melts more and aerates the drink. The calculation increases the volume by the dilution fraction and reduces the ABV proportionally, since the same amount of alcohol is now spread through more liquid. For example, 60 mL of 40 percent spirit diluted 25 percent becomes 75 mL at 32 percent ABV. Understanding dilution helps bartenders control consistency, hit a target strength, and understand why proper mixing technique and ice quality matter. It also helps when batching cocktails, where you must add water to replicate the dilution that individual mixing would provide. Enter your starting volume, ABV, and dilution to find the final strength.
Final ABV = start ABV / (1 + dilution%) ; final volume = start × (1 + dilution%)
Dilution from stirring or shaking adds water that increases the volume and lowers the alcohol concentration. The final volume is the starting volume times one plus the dilution fraction, and the final ABV is the starting ABV divided by that same factor, since the alcohol is spread through more liquid.
Source:Mixology / dilution
We review all our tools from time to time to ensure accuracy.
Worked example
How to use this calculator
- 1
Enter your values
Enter starting volume and starting abv.
- 2
Adjust the options
Adjust dilution added if they apply — sensible defaults are already set.
- 3
Read your result
Final ABV updates instantly as you type — no button to press.
Frequently asked questions
Why does dilution matter in cocktails?
Dilution from melting ice is a key ingredient in a cocktail, not just a byproduct. The water it adds softens the alcohol's harshness, releases and balances flavors, and brings the drink to its intended strength. A properly diluted cocktail tastes smoother and more balanced than the same ingredients served without adequate mixing and chilling.
How much does stirring versus shaking dilute?
Stirred cocktails, like a Martini or Manhattan, typically gain about 20 to 25 percent dilution, while shaken cocktails gain more, around 25 to 30 percent or higher, because vigorous shaking melts more ice and aerates the drink. The technique is chosen partly for the texture and dilution level each imparts to the finished cocktail.
How is the final ABV calculated?
Adding water increases the total volume without adding alcohol, so the alcohol concentration drops. The final ABV is the starting ABV divided by one plus the dilution fraction. For 40 percent spirit diluted 25 percent, the final ABV is 40 divided by 1.25, which is 32 percent. The calculator also shows the final volume and water added.
How does this help with batching cocktails?
When batching cocktails to serve many people, you mix without individual shaking or stirring, so you must add water manually to replicate the dilution each drink would normally get. This calculator shows how much water a given dilution percentage adds, helping you batch at the correct final strength and volume for consistent results.
What ABV should a finished cocktail be?
It varies by style, but many classic stirred cocktails finish around 25 to 30 percent ABV after dilution, and shaken drinks somewhat lower. The goal is a balanced, drinkable strength rather than the full proof of the spirits. Use the calculator to check whether your dilution brings a drink into a pleasant, intended range.