Which bar drinks are the most profitable? Every bar owner dreams of profits, but do you really know which drinks are making your register sing?
It’s not just about slinging cold beers or knowing your way around a shaker — it’s about understanding what’s actually driving margins behind the bar. And spoiler alert: it’s not the brews.
To answer this question, I’m going to reference my good friend and industry expert, Charlie Deibel, from his column “Last Call” in the Ohio Beverage Monthly. In an industry where every pour counts, identifying the most profitable drinks isn’t just a smart move — it’s a survival strategy. Whether you’re a veteran bar owner or just polishing your first draft list, this guide uncorks the data on which drinks deliver the biggest bang for your booze.
Let’s break down the profit structure, compare key drink categories, and uncover how thoughtful upselling — especially through craft cocktails and curated menus — can turn your average night into a gold rush.
🧾 Profit by the Pour and Profitable Bar Drinks – The Numbers Behind Popular Drinks
When it comes to the most profitable bar drinks, margins aren’t just a math game — they’re the heartbeat of a thriving bar. And in an environment where customer spend is under constant pressure, knowing your numbers can be the difference between riding high and going dry.
Let’s break down the big contenders:
🧊 Bottle vs Draft Beer
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Bottle of Beer: Profit range → $1.30–$2.20
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Draft Beer (Pint): Profit range → $1.75–$2.75
While draft gives you slightly more room to breathe, both options land in the lower tier of profitability.
🥃 Well Shots vs Premium Shots
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Well Shot: Profit range → $2.40–$3.00
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Top-Shelf Shot (e.g., Grey Goose): Profit range → $3.15
Well shots deliver solid margins, but premium pours edge them out — with the added bonus of elevating customer perception.
🍹 Mixed Drinks (Standard vs Upscale)
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Basic Well Cocktail (e.g., vodka tonic, screwdriver): Profit range → $2.30–$3.40
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Upscale Cocktails:
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Lemon Drop: $4.57
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Long Island Iced Tea: $5.22
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Grey Goose Martini: $4.15
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Cosmopolitan: $6.42
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Margarita (rocks, well tequila): $4.65
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💡 Key Takeaway:
Premium cocktails crush beer in terms of profit margin. Even the most basic top-shelf drinks beat out beer — and craft cocktails? They’re in a different league altogether.
💸 Profitable Bar Drinks: Upselling and the Menu Advantage
You’ve heard “What’ll you have?” — but in today’s market, that phrase might be costing you thousands. The smart bar owner knows the real moneymaker is in five words:
“Can I show you our menu?”
To illustrate which bar drinks are the most profitable, here’s what upselling actually looks like at scale:
🍻 The 2,000-Drink Thought Experiment
Let’s say 1,000 patrons each order two drinks. Here’s how profits stack up:
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Draft Beer (@ $2.00 profit/pint) → $4,000
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Well Shots (@ $2.70 average) → $5,400
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Top-Shelf Shots (@ $3.40 average) → $6,800
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Mixed Drinks (@ $4.38 average) → $8,762
That’s not just a difference — that’s a strategy. Selling top-shelf liquor and upscale cocktails doesn’t just boost the experience, it nearly doubles your gross profit over beer.
💡 Takeaway:
A smartly designed menu turns casual customers into high-margin spenders — without needing to increase foot traffic. It’s not about more people. It’s about more value per person.
🍸 Craft Cocktails – Your Secret Weapon for Big Profits
Let’s talk craft cocktails — the haute couture of the bar world.
A craft cocktail isn’t just a drink; it’s an experience in a glass. Think unique spirits, house-made syrups, fresh juices, and elevated presentation. These aren’t thrown together — they’re composed.
🌿 What Makes a Cocktail “Craft”?
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A mix of premium & unique liquors
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Fresh-made ingredients (no neon sour mix here)
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Local or seasonal flavors
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Aesthetic garnishes & story-driven names
📈 Why They Matter for Profitability
Craft cocktails sell for $2–$3 more per pour than their well counterparts — but the cost increase is minimal. That price bump? It’s nearly pure profit.
This is the same logic behind McDonald’s “Super Size” strategy. It doesn’t cost much more to up the value — but it radically improves the bottom line. Your $10 well drink becomes a $13 craft cocktail, and your customer feels like they’ve gotten something special.
💡 Takeaway:
Craft cocktails don’t just bring in more cash — they elevate your brand. They’re the most profitable bar drinks, and position your bar as intentional, premium, and worth revisiting. In a market that thrives on Instagram and word of mouth, that’s gold.
📋 Profitable Bar Drinks – Why Every Bar Needs a Signature Drink Menu
Want to turn your bar into a profit engine? Start with your drink menu. It’s not just a list of beverages — it’s a strategic tool that can transform your staff’s performance and your customer’s experience. Here’s what a signature drink menu does for your business:
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✅ Sells for your staff
A great menu piques curiosity and drives choices before your bartender even speaks. That’s free sales power. -
💬 Empowers upselling
When bartenders have go-to cocktails to recommend — especially high-margin ones — upselling becomes second nature, not a sales pitch. -
⚡ Boosts speed and consistency
Fewer on-the-fly orders means faster pours and more consistent drinks, which = happy customers and faster table turnover. -
🧠 Elevates your brand
A curated cocktail list tells a story. It shows intention. And it tells customers, “We’re not just another bar.”
And if you’re still not convinced, just flip on an episode of Bar Rescue. Jon Taffer has made it clear: bars that differentiate themselves with well-executed drink menus win — consistently. It’s about standing out, not blending in.
💡 Distinction = domination in today’s bar and restaurant landscape.
🧪 Want to Start? Here’s a Sample Menu to Get Inspired
If you’re ready to upgrade your beverage program, take a cue from mixology pro Hassett Gravois of MixologyConnoisseur.com. With a passion for craft cocktails and a background in bar branding, Hassett designs custom drink menus for venues looking to elevate both taste and profit. Click here for Hassett’s sample pack.
🧾 Included in her sample pack:
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Original cocktail recipes
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Ingredient breakdowns
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Suggested pricing based on Las Vegas markets:
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“Downtown” pricing (ideal for most urban venues)
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“Strip” pricing (tailored for high-traffic, big-spend cities like NYC, Chicago, LA)
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Whether you use her samples directly or tweak them for your local vibe, they offer a roadmap to getting your menu moving in the right direction.
✨ Pro Tip: Customize pricing based on your market, costs, and clientele. What works on the Vegas Strip might need a remix in Denver or Detroit.
Looking to build your own menu or connect with Hassett? You can purchase her book on Amazon.
STUCK ON YOUR BAR DESIGN? CALL US NOW…
✅ Conclusion: Mix Smart, Sell Smarter
Let’s recap what we’ve shaken and stirred:
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The most profitable drinks aren’t beers — they’re premium cocktails and well-crafted mixed drinks.
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Upselling through intentional menus can significantly increase your nightly profits without increasing foot traffic.
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Craft cocktails offer not just margin, but brand distinction — a vital edge in a saturated market.
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A signature drink menu empowers staff, speeds service, and sets your bar apart.
🍹 Craft + Strategy = Sustainable Profit.
So, the only real question left is:
Are you ready to rethink your bar’s beverage game?
Because the drinks aren’t just being poured — they’re performing. And when they’re doing it right, your bottom line is the one raising a toast.
❓Frequently Asked Questions
1. What’s the single most profitable drink to sell at a bar?
Craft cocktails made with premium or unique liquors generally offer the highest profit margins. Drinks like Cosmopolitans, Long Island Iced Teas, or signature house cocktails often yield $4–$6+ in profit per pour — far more than beer or well shots.
2. Are draft beers or bottled beers more profitable?
Draft beers tend to be slightly more profitable due to lower cost per ounce and higher perceived value, with profit ranges of $1.75–$2.75 per pint, compared to $1.30–$2.20 per bottled beer.
3. Do I really need a drink menu to increase profits?
Yes — a curated drink menu not only helps upsell high-margin cocktails but also streamlines operations and elevates your brand. It turns decision-making into a visual experience and empowers staff to promote profitable options consistently.
4. What are craft cocktails, exactly?
Craft cocktails are elevated mixed drinks made with premium spirits, fresh ingredients, and often house-made syrups or infusions. They’re designed to provide a memorable drinking experience — and they typically sell for $2–$3 more than basic well drinks.
5. How can I start creating my own profitable cocktail menu?
Start by identifying a mix of premium and unique liquors, experiment with fresh ingredients, and build a lineup that matches your brand and clientele. For inspiration, check out Hassett Gravois’ sample cocktail menu, which includes real-world pricing and recipes tailored for urban and upscale markets.
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