Getting started
Choose Import cocktails in an empty collection, or tap + in an existing collection. Load sample recipes to try Whiskey Sour, Negroni and Espresso Martini with their bundled AI-generated photo illustrations, without internet access. All three recipes contain alcohol. Review them, tap Import 003, then Done. You can delete the Examples subcategory afterwards in Settings.
Importing the matching recipe file or text does not attach those illustrations to a fresh collection. It updates matching recipes and keeps any existing photo. Use Load sample recipes for the illustrated examples.
Importing your recipes
Link: use the native iOS paste menu in the field to enter a public HTTPS recipe or collection link and tap Read recipes.
File: choose a JSON, text, Markdown or supported HTML recipe file smaller than 4 MB.
Text: paste labelled recipes and tap Read recipes. Separate drinks with --- and include Name and Ingredients. The Text format example in the import screen shows the structure.
Review the results before saving. Use recipes and photographs you have permission to import.
When an import fails
Check that the URL opens publicly and contains readable recipe information. Sign-in pages, PDFs, scanned documents and some page layouts are unsupported. Try an individual recipe page or your own text or JSON file. A missing photograph does not prevent saving the recipe; the app shows its geometric glass icon as a placeholder. If a website limits requests, wait before trying a smaller import. Closing the import window cancels an import in progress.
Reading and editing
Tap a recipe to read it. Tap its heart to add it to Saved. Swipe a collection row left to reveal save, edit and delete controls. The editing page uses the recipe’s layout with inverted colours; tap the checkbox to save. Tap its photo area to choose a photograph.
Subcategories
Select a subcategory before long-pressing its label to rename it. In Settings, the minus beside a subcategory asks for confirmation before deleting that subcategory and all its recipes. It does not move those recipes elsewhere.
Colours, pictures and HDR
Accent, Text and Background have independent HDR intensities. Duotone pictures have separate Shadows and Highlights HDR controls; original photographs have their own HDR control. HDR depends on your device, operating system, brightness and available display headroom.
The Home Screen icon selects the closest bundled colour pair, so custom shades may not match exactly. Its HDR brightness is controlled by iOS. The icon updates automatically when Settings closes or the app becomes active again.
The Settings photograph preview and missing-photo placeholders use the same glass mask as the app icon.
Offline use and backups
Imported recipes and stored photographs work offline. Website imports and external links need internet access. There is no app account or built-in cloud sync. Keep the original files you import. Removing the app can remove your collection; system backups are managed separately by iOS. Offloading keeps documents and data, so it does not create a fresh collection.
Reporting a problem
Contact support using the details below. Include your iPhone model, iOS version, Pocket Bar. version, what you expected, what happened and steps to reproduce it. A public recipe URL or small example you have permission to share can help. Never send passwords or private links. Check screenshots for private information before sending them.
Try the examples
These are the same three sample recipes available through Load sample recipes inside the app.