# CocktailFyi MCP

> CocktailFyi connects a full database of mixology knowledge to your AI agent. Access over 600 cocktail recipes, ingredient deep dives (spirits, bitters, garnishes), preparation techniques (shaking vs. stirring), and educational guides instantly. Get accurate recipe measurements and flavor profile analysis without leaving your chat window.

## Overview
- **Category:** productivity
- **Price:** Free
- **Tags:** cocktail-recipes, bartending, educational-guides, open-source, data-lookup

## Description

Need a killer drink idea but don't know where to start? This MCP lets your AI agent pull deep data from the CocktailFyi database. You can ask for recipes based on ingredients you have, or explore specific techniques like muddling versus shaking. It’s more than just looking up drinks; you get full context—from ABV and calories to precise preparation steps. Instead of sifting through dozens of separate websites, your agent pulls everything together in one conversation. For example, you can ask what cocktails use mezcal and then immediately check the recommended glass type or the necessary garnishes. Connecting this MCP via Vinkius means your entire AI workflow—whether it's writing a blog post about drinks or planning a party menu—can access mixology data without needing any keys or setup.

## Tools

### get_cocktail
Retrieves full details for a single cocktail, including measurements and instructions.

### get_cocktails_by_category
Lists cocktails that fit into a specific genre or style.

### get_ingredient
Retrieves detailed data on any individual ingredient, like bitters or syrups.

### get_cocktail_stats
Provides aggregate statistics about the overall CocktailFyi database.

### list_categories
Returns a list of all available cocktail categories for filtering.

### list_cocktails
Lists multiple cocktails, giving key info like ABV and prep time for quick comparison.

### list_faqs
Retrieves frequently asked questions about making or serving cocktails.

### list_glossary
Provides definitions for mixology terms and jargon.

### list_guides
Lists educational guides covering different aspects of cocktail making.

### list_ingredients
Gives a comprehensive list of all ingredients tracked in the database.

### list_techniques
Details common preparation methods (shake, stir, etc.) and when to use them.

### search_cocktails
Searches across cocktail names or ingredient lists for matching results.

## Prompt Examples

**Prompt:** 
```
Give me a classic Mojito recipe.
```

**Response:** 
```
Here's the classic Mojito: White rum, fresh lime juice, simple syrup, fresh mint leaves, and soda water. Served in a Highball glass. Muddle mint with syrup, add lime juice and rum, top with soda water and ice. Difficulty: easy, Prep time: 3 min.
```

**Prompt:** 
```
What cocktails can I make with tequila?
```

**Response:** 
```
Found 45 tequila cocktails including Margarita, Tequila Sunrise, Paloma, Tomatini, and Tequila Sour. Top picks: Margarita (easy, 5 min), Paloma (easy, 3 min), and Tequila Sunrise (medium, 5 min).
```

**Prompt:** 
```
What's the difference between shaking and stirring a cocktail?
```

**Response:** 
```
Shaking is used for cocktails with citrus, dairy, or egg ingredients — it aerates and chills quickly. Stirring is for spirit-forward cocktails like Manhattans and Martinis — it gently chills without clouding or over-diluting. The technique affects texture, temperature, and dilution.
```

## Capabilities

### Search and filter cocktails
Find specific cocktail recipes by name, ingredient, or general category.

### Retrieve detailed cocktail information
Get complete data sets for a single drink, including measurements and step-by-step instructions.

### Analyze ingredients and components
Look up details on specific spirits, mixers, garnishes, or bitters used in drinks.

### Browse educational content
Access glossaries, FAQs, and guides covering mixology concepts and techniques.

### Categorize drink types
List available cocktail categories to narrow down search results.

## Use Cases

### Planning a themed party menu
A bar owner needs drinks that match a tropical theme. They ask their agent to use `list_categories` first, filtering for 'Tiki' style. The agent then uses `get_cocktails_by_category` and presents 10 options with ingredients and difficulty levels.

### Writing an article on spirit pairings
A food blogger is writing about rye whiskey. They ask the MCP to use `search_cocktails` filtered by 'rye' and then call `get_ingredient` on specific bitters, gathering data for a cohesive pairing guide.

### Troubleshooting recipe steps
A user is confused about how to prepare a drink. The agent uses `list_techniques` to explain the difference between 'building' and 'stirring,' then recommends the correct method for their specific cocktail.

## Benefits

- Find specific recipes fast. Need a drink that uses bourbon? Use `search_cocktails` and get immediate results, skipping the manual browsing.
- Understand technique differences. The MCP lets you compare methods by calling `list_techniques`, clarifying if a cocktail requires shaking or simple stirring.
- Build deep knowledge bases. Use `list_glossary` and `list_faqs` to teach your agent industry terms so it writes more expert-sounding copy.
- Analyze components, not just drinks. Need to know about bitters? Call `get_ingredient` for full details on the component itself.
- Compare groups of drinks efficiently. Instead of checking one by one, use `list_cocktails` to compare 10 different recipes side-by-side based on ABV or prep time.

## How It Works

The bottom line is you guide your AI client through a series of database lookups until it surfaces exactly what you need: data, not links.

1. Subscribe to the CocktailFyi MCP. No API key is required since it's an open database.
2. Direct your AI agent to use a function, like `list_categories`, to scope your search (e.g., 'Show me all tiki drinks').
3. The agent retrieves the relevant list and then calls another tool, such as `get_cocktail`, using the specific drink name to deliver the final recipe details.

## Frequently Asked Questions

**How do I find cocktails that use a specific spirit, like gin? (Using search_cocktails)**
You use `search_cocktails` to query the database by ingredient name. This returns all recipes where gin is listed, letting you compare multiple drinks at once.

**What are the best techniques for making a drink? (Using list_techniques)**
The `list_techniques` tool describes when and how to use each method. It clearly tells you if a cocktail needs shaking, stirring, or building.

**Can I get the full recipe for Old Fashioned? (Using get_cocktail)**
Yes, calling `get_cocktail` with 'Old Fashioned' provides everything: ingredients, precise measurements, and step-by-step instructions in one payload.

**I need to know what cocktails are available from tequila? (Using get_cocktails_by_category)**
While you can search by ingredient, using `get_cocktails_by_category` is better. You filter the results for 'Tequila' or a related category type.

**If I need to know the overall scale of the data, how do I use `get_cocktail_stats`?**
It returns key metrics about the entire database. This helps your agent gauge the scope, showing you exactly how many ingredients or categories are indexed in the system.

**I came across an unfamiliar term; can I use `list_glossary` to find a definition?**
Yes, this tool provides definitions for mixology terms. It's helpful if you run into unfamiliar vocabulary while reading guides or complex recipes.

**I only want details on one component, not a full drink; how do I use `get_ingredient`?**
You pass the ingredient name directly to `get_ingredient`. This provides detailed information on that single component, including its best uses or type.

**If there are thousands of recipes, what is the correct way to use `list_cocktails`?**
You must handle the results using pagination parameters in `list_cocktails`. This ensures your agent retrieves all necessary data without hitting a single output limit.

**Do I need an API key or account?**
No! CocktailFyi is a completely free and open API with no authentication required.

**How many cocktails are available?**
The database contains 600+ cocktails with complete recipes, plus hundreds of ingredients, techniques, guides, and glossary terms.

**Can I search for cocktails by ingredient?**
Yes! Use the `search_cocktails` tool with an ingredient name like 'vodka' or 'lime juice' to find all cocktails that use that ingredient.