Getting Started with Speakeasy
Speakeasy puts a curated cocktail library, bottle inventory tracker, and counter-side mixing assistant directly at your fingertips.
Whether you want to browse timeless classics, find out what you can shake up tonight with the bottles on your shelf, or build personalized event menus, this walkthrough highlights how each tool connects together.
Navigating Your Library
When you launch Speakeasy, the home showcase highlights drink collections, recently viewed, and your pinned tags.
The left sidebar gives you instant access to your entire catalog:
- Search Bar: Type spirit names like rye or mezcal, flavor profiles, or specific drink titles to filter recipes in real time.
- Collection Filters: Filter the list by distinct drink families such as: Classic, Craft, Tiki, Prohibition, Aperitivo, and Nightcaps.
- Drink Cards: Each card displays the cocktail name, ingredients, and the glassware used for the drink.
Stocking Your Personal Backbar
The built-in inventory manager lets Speakeasy tell you exactly which drinks you can prepare right now without leaving your kitchen:
- Select My Bar in the top header.
- Browse by category tabs like Spirits, Vermouth & Wines, Liqueurs, Bitters, Syrups, and Produce.
- Search by popular brands and alternate spellings to find exactly what you're looking for.
- Tap any bottle or ingredient to mark it as in stock. You can also tap Starter Bar to check off essential staples with a single click.
- Flip to the Shopping List tab anytime to see which single bottle unlocks the greatest number of new cocktails.
Once your bottles are added, toggle the Ready switch at the bottom of the sidebar. Speakeasy immediately filters the catalog to show only drinks you can pour today.
Mixing Drinks at the Counter
Selecting any recipe opens the Counter View, built specifically for hands-on bartending:
- Dynamic Glassware Graphic: View a glassware visualization of the ingredients in the drink.
- Interactive Step Timers: Timers embedded directly in preparation steps launch a countdown overlay to help when shaking or stirring.
- Pour Logging: Tap Log Drink Made when you finish a pour to record it in your personal drink journal.
- Palate Matching: View a map of prominent flavors in the drink and see its balance.
- See Options: Scroll down to discover similar drinks that share flavor profiles.
Next Steps
Ready to make the app your own? Continue reading our companion guides:
- Signing In & Cloud Sync: Keep your bar profiles safe across all your phones, tablets, and laptops.
- Managing Your Backbar & Shopping List: Track what's on your shelves and see what to buy next.
- Creating & Editing Drinks: Adjust ingredient measurements or record your signature house creations.
- Menu Builder & Event Menus: Compose a focused cocktail menu for your next gathering.
- Vault & Bar Settings: Customize fluid ounces versus milliliters, manage multiple bar setups, and export backups.