Ingredient database
Overview
muddler’s database contains 9,000+ ingredients organized across 10 categories, and the library keeps growing. Each ingredient has a full profile: flavor dimensions, ABV, aliases, substitutes, and common brands. The app ships with a built-in offline seed set. Signed-in users get access to the full live database.
Categories
| Category | Examples |
|---|---|
| Spirits | Gin, Bourbon, Rum, Tequila, Mezcal, Vodka |
| Liqueurs | Campari, Cointreau, St-Germain, Chartreuse |
| Wines & Fortified | Sweet Vermouth, Dry Vermouth, Prosecco, Sherry |
| Bitters | Angostura, Peychaud’s, Orange Bitters |
| Syrups | Simple Syrup, Demerara, Orgeat, Grenadine |
| Juices | Lime, Lemon, Orange, Pineapple, Grapefruit |
| Mixers | Tonic, Soda, Ginger Beer, Cola |
| Garnishes | Lemon Twist, Cherry, Olive, Mint |
| Dairy & Eggs | Egg White, Heavy Cream, Coconut Cream |
| Non-Alcoholic | NA spirits, seedlip-style botanicals, shrubs |
| Other | Absinthe, Honey, Sugar Cube, Salt |
Flavor profiles
Every ingredient is scored on five dimensions on a 0 to 10 scale:
- Sweet: perceived sweetness
- Sour: acidity and tartness
- Bitter: bitterness intensity
- Boozy: alcohol presence and heat
- Aromatic: herbal, floral, or spiced character
These scores roll up into cocktail-level flavor profiles and power the radar chart visualizations in the app.
Aliases and matching
Most ingredients go by multiple names. The database includes known aliases so the matcher can reconcile different menu conventions:
- “Genever” matches Gin
- “Triple Sec” matches Cointreau (or a generic orange liqueur, depending on confidence)
- “Lime Cordial” matches Lime Juice with a sweetener note
- “Coconut Rum” matches Coconut Rum (kept distinct from plain rum)
Behind the aliases, the 8-tier fuzzy matcher handles OCR errors, regional naming differences, and the creative descriptions bartenders like to use on chalkboards.
Syrup recipes
The database includes 16 syrup recipes with full preparation details:
- Simple Syrup: 1:1 sugar to water
- Rich Demerara: 2:1 demerara sugar to water
- Orgeat: almond syrup with orange flower water
- Grenadine: pomegranate syrup (real, not the neon stuff)
- Falernum: lime, almond, clove, ginger, allspice
- Honey Syrup: 3:1 honey to water for easier mixing
Each recipe includes the method, the ratio, shelf life, a flavor profile, and a list of common cocktail pairings.
Custom ingredients
Signed-in users can add custom ingredients that don’t appear in the database. Custom ingredients are associated with your account and show up in your personal matcher. If enough users independently add the same real-world ingredient, it becomes a candidate for inclusion in the global database.
Feedback
Spotted something wrong, missing, or debatable? Use the in-app feedback option in settings. Corrections and additions are reviewed and folded in on an ongoing basis. We are building a reference, not guessing.