specification: API Commons Plans
specificationVersion: '0.1'
schema: https://raw.githubusercontent.com/api-evangelist/interface-research/main/schema/api-commons.yml#/$defs/Plans
provider: TheCocktailDB
providerId: thecocktaildb
created: '2026-06-13'
modified: '2026-06-13'
reconciled: true
tags:
  - Recipes / Open Data
  - Cocktails
  - Free
description: >-
  TheCocktailDB operates on a free and Patreon-supported model. The free tier provides full API access
  using the public test key "1" for development and non-commercial use. Production API keys for public
  commercial apps are provided to Patreon supporters. No traditional tiered pricing exists.
sources:
  - https://www.thecocktaildb.com/api.php
  - https://www.thecocktaildb.com/faq.php
plans:
  - id: thecocktaildb-free
    name: Free Public API
    type: free
    description: >-
      Free access using test API key "1" for development, educational, and personal projects.
      Includes all standard cocktail search and lookup endpoints. No authentication required.
      Not for use in public app store releases.
    url: https://www.thecocktaildb.com/api.php
    entries:
      - label: Per request
        name: request
        type: metered
        metric: request
        limit: -1
        timeFrame: usage
        geo: global
        unit: 1
        price: '0.00'
        userMultiplied: false
    elements:
      - name: Search cocktails by name, first letter, and ingredient
      - name: Lookup cocktails and ingredients by ID
      - name: Random cocktail endpoint
      - name: Filter by ingredient, alcoholic status, category, and glass type
      - name: List available categories, glasses, ingredients, and filters
      - name: Cocktail images in multiple sizes (200x200, 350x350, 500x500px)
      - name: Ingredient images in multiple sizes
      - name: JSON response format
      - name: No authentication required for test key
      - name: Single ingredient filter only
      - name: Database listing limited to 100 items
      - name: No Popular or Recent cocktail lookups
  - id: thecocktaildb-patreon
    name: Patreon Supporter (Premium)
    type: freemium
    description: >-
      For commercial apps and production releases. Patreon supporters receive a production API key
      with access to premium endpoints. Supports the non-profit crowd-sourced database project.
      API keys typically issued within 24 hours of application.
    url: https://www.patreon.com/thedatadb
    entries:
      - label: Per request
        name: request
        type: metered
        metric: request
        limit: -1
        timeFrame: usage
        geo: global
        unit: 1
        price: varies
        userMultiplied: false
    elements:
      - name: Production API key for public app store releases
      - name: Multiple ingredient filters (beta)
      - name: Popular cocktail lookups
      - name: Recent cocktail lookups
      - name: Full database listing without 100-item limit
      - name: Latest cocktail image API methods
      - name: Random image API methods
      - name: All Free tier features included
      - name: Unlimited API usage - no rate limits