Ambar · CostFlow engine
The pour cost math behind Ambar
CostFlow is the engine Ambar uses to work out what every drink on your menu costs. It starts from the recipe spec of each drink and the prices you pay your suppliers. From there it calculates the cost per item and the pour cost (CMV): the share of the menu price that goes to ingredients. The result is an item-by-item view against a target pour cost, to guide pricing, recipe and purchasing decisions.
Recipe spec
Each drink becomes a recipe with pours, garnish, ice and an allowance for operational waste.
Cost per item
Purchase prices go in per ingredient and the engine costs every drink, line by line.
Pour cost against target
Cost is compared with the menu price and a target pour cost, to show where the menu needs attention.
Illustrative example
Three drinks through the engine
A fictitious bar, with fictitious purchase prices, run through the CostFlow engine. The numbers only show the shape of the analysis.
| Drink | Cost | Menu price | Pour cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Caipirinha | R$ 2.23 | R$ 16.00 | 13.9% |
| Gin & tonic | R$ 6.66 | R$ 28.00 | 23.8% |
| Negroni | R$ 7.08 | R$ 32.00 | 22.1% |
Example with fictitious values, in Brazilian reais (R$). Pour cost (CMV) = ingredient cost ÷ menu price. It does not represent any real bar or indicate an expected result.
Coming soon (late November)
Pour cost diagnostic for bars
Ambar will offer a pour cost diagnostic of your menu, built with the CostFlow engine from your recipe specs and your purchase prices. Leave your e-mail to hear when it opens.