Spec (Drink Spec)

Definition:
A “Spec” (short for specification) is the standardized recipe and build process for a menu item — including ingredients, quantities, techniques, glassware, garnish, and presentation. It ensures consistency, cost control, and brand integrity across your team.

In Context:
In Spec, every drink, dish, or prep item has a digital spec — complete with product links, Recipe Costing, Cost per Serving, and pricing logic using Markup, Target Cost %, or Target Profit Margin. These specs are the operational source of truth for training, pricing, and inventory planning.

You can also group specs into menus, export them for staff training, or run margin analysis across multiple items.

Example:
A Margarita spec might include:

  • 1.5 oz tequila

  • 0.75 oz lime juice

  • 0.5 oz triple sec

  • Shake, strain, rocks glass, salt rim
    Spec uses this to calculate the Pour Cost and help you set a profitable menu price.

Pro Tip:
The more detailed and accurate your specs, the tighter your operations. Spec makes it easy to link specs to actual product costs, train staff on builds, and keep everything in one place — no spreadsheets or binders needed.

Related Terms: