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Creating Menus

Menus are collections of drink offerings created specifically for your events. This guide explains how to create and manage drink menus in Bartendie.

What is a Menu?​

In Bartendie, a Menu represents a curated collection of drinks that you'll offer at a specific event. Menus are linked to events and include:

  • A name and description
  • A collection of drink items
  • Optional featured drinks
  • An overall flavor profile
  • Status (draft or finalized)

Creating a New Menu​

Step 1: Navigate to the Menu Creation Screen​

There are two ways to create a new menu:

From an Event:

  1. Open the event for which you want to create a menu
  2. Scroll to the "Menus" section
  3. Tap "Create Menu"

From the Menus Screen:

  1. Tap the "Menus" icon in the navigation bar
  2. Tap the "+" button in the bottom right corner
  3. If creating a standalone menu, you can optionally link it to an event later

Step 2: Enter Basic Information​

Fill in the following details:

  • Menu Name: Give your menu a descriptive name
  • Description (optional): Add details about the menu's theme or concept
  • Link to Event (if not already linked): Select an event from the dropdown

Step 3: Add Drink Items​

Tap "Add Drinks" to start populating your menu:

  1. Search for drinks by name, ingredient, or category
  2. Filter by available ingredients, preparation time, or complexity
  3. Preview drinks to see their recipes and ingredients
  4. Add drinks by tapping the "+" button

You can also create a new drink recipe directly from this screen by tapping "Create New Recipe."

Step 4: Organize Your Menu​

After adding drinks, you can:

  • Reorder drinks by dragging and dropping
  • Group drinks by category (cocktails, mocktails, shots, etc.)
  • Feature special drinks by tapping the star icon
  • Remove drinks by swiping left and tapping "Remove"

Step 5: Check Menu Balance​

Tap "Analyze Balance" to see a breakdown of your menu's flavor profiles:

  • Distribution of sweet, sour, bitter, and other flavors
  • Spirit variety (ensuring you're not offering too many of one type)
  • Complexity range (mix of simple and complex drinks)

Bartendie will suggest adjustments if your menu is unbalanced.

Step 6: Save or Finalize​

  • Tap "Save as Draft" to continue working on the menu later
  • Tap "Finalize Menu" when you're satisfied with your selections

Managing Existing Menus​

Viewing Menus​

The Menus screen displays all your menus with:

  • Menu name
  • Associated event (if any)
  • Number of drinks
  • Status (draft or final)

Editing a Menu​

  1. From the Menus list, tap on the menu you want to edit
  2. On the Menu Details screen, tap the "Edit" button
  3. Make any changes needed
  4. Tap "Save" to update the menu

Duplicating a Menu​

To create a new menu based on an existing one:

  1. Open the menu you want to duplicate
  2. Tap the menu icon (three dots) in the top-right corner
  3. Select "Duplicate Menu"
  4. Give the new menu a name and optionally link it to a different event
  5. Tap "Create" to generate the duplicate

Printing or Sharing a Menu​

  1. Open the menu you want to share
  2. Tap the share icon
  3. Choose from the available options:
    • Export as PDF
    • Print
    • Share via messaging apps
    • Email

Advanced Menu Features​

Save frequently used menus as templates:

  1. Open the menu you want to save as a template
  2. Tap the menu icon (three dots)
  3. Select "Save as Template"
  4. Enter a template name
  5. Tap "Save"

AI-Powered Suggestions​

Bartendie can suggest drinks based on:

  • Your event theme
  • Guest preferences
  • Current inventory
  • Seasonal factors

To get suggestions:

  1. While editing a menu, tap "Get Suggestions"
  2. Select the factors you want to consider
  3. Tap "Generate Suggestions"
  4. Review the suggested drinks and add the ones you like

Next Steps​

After creating a menu, you'll typically want to:

  1. Generate a shopping list based on the menu
  2. Set up your bar for efficient drink preparation
  3. Create batch recipes for high-volume drinks

Tips for Creating Great Menus​

  • Limit your selection to 5-7 drinks for most home events
  • Include variety in both flavors and spirits
  • Consider preparation time – avoid too many complex cocktails
  • Include at least one non-alcoholic option
  • Match your menu to your theme for a cohesive experience
  • Consider your guests' preferences when selecting drinks