What Is Pour Cost?

Pour cost is the percentage of beverage revenue consumed by the cost of the product being poured.

It is commonly used in bar and spirits operations and follows the same basic structure as beverage cost percentage:

Pour Cost = Product Cost ÷ Beverage Sales × 100

If a cocktail sells for $16 and the ingredients cost $3.20:

$3.20 ÷ $16 × 100 = 20%

The pour cost is 20%.

Pour cost can be useful for evaluating individual drinks, categories, or a broader bar program.

But a lower pour cost isn’t automatically better.

A cocktail with a higher pour cost may still generate more gross profit dollars, sell more consistently, or create more value for the guest.

The percentage should be evaluated alongside sales volume and gross profit.