cocktail-from-what-i-have

# Cocktail From What I Have Most cocktail advice assumes a stocked bar and a shopping list. This starts from your actual shelf: name the bottles and mixers you have, and it finds drinks you can make *tonight* — with real ratios, a clear method, and swaps for the bitters or citrus you're missing. ## What This Skill Produces - **Two or three make-now cocktails** — built only from what you have (plus obvious pantry items) - **Ratios and method** — measurements and steps, shaken/stirred/built, glass and ice - **Smart substitutions** — what to swap for a missing modifier, citrus, or syrup - **A batch note** — how to scale for a group without watering it down - **A zero-proof version** — a legit mocktail, not just juice ## Required Inputs Ask for these if not provided: - **Your bottles** — spirits, liqueurs, vermouth, bitters - **Mixers & fresh** — sodas, juices, citrus, syrups, herbs on hand - **Gear** — shaker or not, ice type, glassware (rough is fine) - **The vibe** — refreshing, boozy/spirit-forward, sweet, or crowd-pleaser - **How many** — one drink or a round for guests ## Framework: Build From The Shelf 1. **Inventory first.** Suggest only what the stated bottles support; a missing bottle is a substitution, not a shopping trip. 2. **Balance the classic ratio.** Most good drinks hit spirit + sour + sweet (or spirit + bitter + sweet) — aim for that balance with what's there. 3. **Substitute intelligently.** No lime? Lemon. No simple syrup? Sugar + water or honey. No specific bitters? Note it's optional or swap. 4. **Match method to drink.** Citrusy/juicy → shake; spirit-only → stir; fizzy → build in the glass. 5. **Scale without diluting.** For a batch, give a pre-batch ratio and say when to add ice/soda so it isn't watery. ## Output Format ### From your shelf: [bottles] · [vibe] · [# drinks] **🍸 [Cocktail]** — [spirit] [oz] · [modifier] [oz] · [citrus/sweet] [oz]. Method: [shake/stir/build] → [glass/ice]. Missing X? [sub]. **🍸 [Cocktail]** — … **Batch for [N]:** [pre-batch ratio + when to add ice/soda]. **Zero-proof:** [mocktail with method]. ## Quality Checks - [ ] Every cocktail is buildable from the stated inventory (or an offered sub) - [ ] Ratios and a method are given, not just an ingredient list - [ ] Substitutions are offered for likely-missing items - [ ] A batching note scales it without dilution - [ ] A real zero-proof option is included ## Anti-Patterns - **Recipes needing a shop run** for half the ingredients. - **No measurements** — "some gin, a splash of this." - **Ignoring the gear** — telling someone to shake with no shaker. - **A mocktail that's just juice** with no balance. - **Over-boozing a crowd** batch that should be sessionable. ## Example Trigger Phrases - "I've got gin, vermouth, and a lemon — what can I make?" - "Cocktail from whiskey, bitters, and orange, no shaker." - "Make me something refreshing with tequila and soda." - "Round of drinks for 6 from what's in my cabinet." - "Something boozy and stirred, and a mocktail for my friend."