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DDL Case Study · Analytics Engine

Drinks-O-System

A cocktail intelligence dashboard that turns recipe libraries into margin analytics, creative gap analysis, and operational insights across a multi-venue bar collective.

Problem

A bar collective running 127+ cocktail recipes across 4 venues with no centralized view of cost structure, creative gaps, ingredient utilization, or operational load.

Approach

DDL's dimensional analytics engine: every recipe becomes a fact row with spirit, style, season, cost, and venue dimensions — enabling margin ranking, gap heatmaps, and operator-level insights.

Deliverable

Full-stack cocktail intelligence dashboard — KPI strip, spirit distribution, build style rings, ingredient network, margin ranking table, creative gap heatmap, and operator speed/station analysis.

Dashboard KPIs

At a Glance

Total Recipes
127
across 4 venues
↑ 14 added this quarter
Active Menu
42
currently poured
— 85 in archive
Avg Pour Cost
18.3%
target: ≤20%
↓ 1.2% from last quarter
Avg Margin
$10.40
per cocktail
↑ $0.80 from Q3
Unique Ingredients
89
in active rotation
23 bottles underutilized
Originals Ratio
64%
originals vs classics
creative output strong
Recipe Overview

Base Spirit Distribution

Whiskey
38%
48
Gin
18%
23
Rum
12%
15
Tequila
10%
13
Amaro
8%
10
Mezcal
6%
8
Brandy
5%
6
Vodka
3%
4
Build Style
36%
Stirred
28%
Shaken
20%
Built
16%
Batched
Seasonal Rotation
18
Spring
22
Summer
26
Fall
19
Winter
42
Perennial
Ingredient Intelligence

Most Used Ingredients

Simple Syrup
54 recipes
Angostura Bitters
46 recipes
Fresh Lemon
42 recipes
Fresh Lime
38 recipes
Luxardo Maraschino
28 recipes
Demerara Syrup
26 recipes
Orange Bitters
24 recipes
Campari
21 recipes
Sweet Vermouth
19 recipes
Egg White
16 recipes
Cost + Margin Layer

Margin Ranking — Active Menu

RecipeBaseCostPriceMarginPour %
Paper PlaneBourbon$2.15$15$12.8514.3%
Gold RushBourbon$2.40$14$11.6017.1%
Division BellMezcal$3.10$16$12.9019.4%
Bee's KneesGin$1.85$13$11.1514.2%
PenicillinScotch$3.60$16$12.4022.5%
Naked & FamousMezcal$3.25$15$11.7521.7%
Last WordGin$3.45$15$11.5523.0%
House Old FashionedBourbon$4.20$16$11.8026.3%
Jungle BirdRum$2.50$14$11.5017.9%
TorontoRye$3.90$15$11.1026.0%
High push Balanced Watch
Creative Gap Analysis

Identified Gaps & Opportunities

Underbuilt Spirit
Brandy

6 recipes total · 3% of menu. Room for sidecar riffs, brandy sours, batched punches.

Missing Style
Rum Flips

Zero rum flips in system. Winter seasonal opportunity with aged rum + egg + nutmeg.

Low-Push / High-Margin
Jungle Bird

$11.50 margin, 17.9% pour cost. Currently not on push list. Easy win.

Seasonal Gap
Spring Stirred

Only 3 stirred drinks in spring rotation. Floral vermouth + gin opportunity.

Underutilized Bottle
Suze

On shelf, in 1 recipe. Pairs with gin, tequila, citrus. White Negroni riff candidate.

Mezcal Depth
8 recipes · 2 shaken

Strong spirit, thin coverage. Mezcal sour, mezcal highball, batched paloma all open.

Operator View

Operational Intelligence

21
Batch-Ready
Pre-mix, keg, or bottle service
14
Speed Builds
Under 90 sec ticket time
8
High-Prep
Fresh juice, infusion, or cordial
3.2
Avg Stations
Touches per cocktail
Service Speed Tiers
< 60s
8 drinks — Highballs, built drinks, batched pours
60–90s
18 drinks — Stirred classics, simple shaken
90–120s
12 drinks — Multi-step shaken, egg drinks
120s+
4 drinks — Tableside, flamed, elaborate garnish

Drinks-O-System · v0.1 · Cocktail Intelligence Engine · Built by DDL · 2026