Cocktails

A. J.

A. J. is an alcoholic cocktail built on Applejack. It leans apple and fruit. Shaken and served in a Cocktail Glass. Expect about 24% ABV and roughly 118 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic24% ABV2 ingredients

At a Glance

118 kcalCalories

24%ABV

2.1gSugar

2.7gCarbs

1Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Easyshaken drink

Why: 2 ingredients, shaken drink, requires shaker

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

1 1/2 ozApplejackBase Spirit
1 ozGrapefruit juiceJuice

How to Make It

Shake ingredients with ice, strain into a cocktail glass, and serve.Shaken

How to Serve

Glass: Cocktail Glass
Temperature: Chilled
Ice: Ice
Method: Shaken

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Apple Fruit

Supporting notes

Oak Bitter Citrus Tart

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong

BodyLight – Full

SweetnessDry – Sweet

AcidityFlat – Crisp

FruitinessEarthy – Fruity

BoldnessDelicate – Bold

High ABV
Dry finish
Bright and citrusy

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

Seafood DinnerSuggested from its citrus notes, pairing with ceviche and seafood.

Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, and strict multi-signal supplemental rule matches.

Food pairings

Seafood Ceviche Salads

Food pairings are derived from the drink flavour signature, mapped to one dominant pairing theme, then limited to coherent public suggestions.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-Free Vegan Vegetarian

Not compatible

KetoLow-CarbLow-Sugar

Diet tags are ingredient-level and nutrition-estimate based. Product brands, preparation methods, quantities, and substitutions may change compatibility.

Alternatives to try

Choose an ingredient to see reviewed substitutions, or filter for a different preference.

Reviewed ingredient substitutions

Grapefruit Juice1 oz

Orange JuiceNot a neutral swap

How much to use: Use the same amount, then add lime or lemon if it needs more bite.
What changes: Orange juice can replace grapefruit juice only if a sweeter, softer citrus result is acceptable.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Reviewed component substitutions are not guarantees that the replacement was tested in this exact recipe. Follow the reviewed adjustment note and taste before serving.

Preference filters use current ingredient, nutrition and diet evidence. They are not medical advice, and this database contract does not store user selections.

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Last updated June 18, 2026

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

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Frequently asked questions

What is an A. J.?: The A. J. is a cocktail made with 2 ingredients, traditionally served in a Cocktail Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 24.0%. A standard serving contains approximately 118 calories.
What does an A. J. taste like?: A. J. has a flavour profile featuring Apple, Fruit, Oak, Bitter. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with an A. J.?: A. J. pairs well with Seafood, Ceviche, Salads. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is an A. J.?: The A. J. has an ABV of approximately 24.0%. That's approximately 1.00 US standard drink. This recipe is estimated to contain 118 kcal, 2.1g sugar, 2.7g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is an A. J. typically served?: A. J. is often suggested for Seafood Dinner, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to an A. J.?: If you enjoy A. J., the "similar flavour profile" suggestions on this page point to cocktails that share its flavour character. Drinks with a matching spirit base and comparable body and acidity feel closest.
Can I make an A. J. at home?: Yes. The A. J. uses 2 ingredients, making it easy to prepare at home. You will need a Cocktail Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?: Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent) and Boldness (delicate to bold). Each scale helps you compare cocktails at a glance and find ones with similar character.
How do I use sensory profiles to find cocktails I like?: Compare the Body, Acidity and Fruitiness of A. J. with other cocktails. If you enjoy this drink, look for others with a similar profile. Adjust one dimension at a time to discover new favourites while staying in your flavour comfort zone.