Why does dilution matter in cocktails?

Dilution softens sharp alcohol edges, integrates flavors, and adjusts texture. Too little leaves a cocktail harsh and warm; too much makes it watery and weak. Most well-balanced cocktails land between 15% and 30% water by volume.

How much does shaking dilute a cocktail?

A standard 10–15-second shake typically adds about 20–30% dilution (water as a fraction of original volume). Hard shaking or longer contact increases it. This calculator defaults to 25% for a 12-second shake.

How much does stirring dilute a cocktail?

Stirring is gentler: 30 seconds adds roughly 15–18% dilution, 60 seconds reaches around 25%. Stirring is preferred for spirit-forward drinks because it avoids aeration and keeps the texture silky.

What is the formula for final ABV after dilution?

Final ABV = (original volume × original ABV) / final volume. The total alcohol mass stays fixed; it just spreads across a larger final volume once water is added.

Does ice temperature affect dilution?

Yes. Fresh ice from a freezer at −18°C dilutes less than wet bar ice sitting near 0°C. Wet ice melts faster because energy goes into melting rather than chilling the liquid. This tool assumes standard bar ice near 0°C.

Cocktail Dilution Calculator

Calculate how much water ice adds to a cocktail when shaking or stirring, and find the final ABV and volume.

Inputs

Recipe Volume (ml) Total liquid before ice contact Spirit ABV (%) Blended ABV of all spirits in the recipe

Mixing Method

Shaken Stirred

Ice Contact Time (seconds) Shaken: 10–15s typical. Stirred: 30–60s typical. Override dilution %

Results

Water Added

—

Final Volume

—

Final ABV

—

Dilution %

—

water / original vol

Dilution Reference Table

Approximate values for standard bar ice near 0°C.

Method	Time	Dilution
Stirred	15 s	~10%
Stirred	30 s	~16%
Stirred	60 s	~25%
Shaken	10 s	~20%
Shaken	15 s	~29%

Summary

Enter your recipe volume, spirit ABV, and mixing method to see exactly how much water dilution ice adds during shaking or stirring. Get the final volume, final ABV, and dilution percentage in one step.

How it works

Enter your recipe volume (in ml or oz) before ice contact.
Enter the starting spirit ABV percentage.
Choose your mixing method: Shaken or Stirred.
Optionally set a custom dilution percentage or ice contact time.
The calculator outputs water added, final volume, final ABV, and dilution percentage.

Use cases

Balance a stirred martini by knowing exactly how much dilution 45 seconds of stirring adds.
Scale a batched cocktail recipe while keeping the final ABV consistent.
Compare shaking versus stirring to choose the right texture and strength for a drink.
Dial in a competition cocktail by controlling dilution to the percentage.

Frequently Asked Questions

Last updated: 2026-06-15 · Reviewed by Nham Vu