Cocktails

Boxcar

Boxcar is an alcoholic cocktail built on Gin. It leans citrus and sweet. Served in a Whiskey Sour Glass. Expect about 24.7% ABV and roughly 214 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic24.7% ABV5 ingredients

At a Glance

214 kcalCalories

24.7%ABV

9.3gSugar

11gCarbs

1.55Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition. Some ingredient data may be approximate.

These nutrition figures are approximate estimates for this recipe — actual values vary with your exact measures, brands and serving size.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderateshaken drink

Why: 5 ingredients, shaken drink, requires shaker

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients & Tools

1 1/2 ozGinBase Spirit
1 ozTriple secLiqueur Modifier
1 tspLemon juiceJuice
1/2 tspGrenadineSweetener
1Egg whiteEgg Or Foamer

Tools:Cocktail Shaker

Contains an egg ingredient. Prepare with a fresh, safe egg; those who should avoid raw egg may prefer to skip it.

How to Make It

In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine all of the ingredients.Shaken
Shake well.Shaken
Strain into a Sour glass.Strain

How to Serve

Glass: Whiskey Sour Glass
Temperature: Chilled
Ice: Cubed ice
Method: Shaken

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Supporting notes

Botanical Herbal Juniper Aromatic

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
Full-bodied

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

Seafood DinnerSuggested from its lemon and 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 Vegetarian

Not compatible

KetoLow-CarbLow-SugarVegan

Find vegan-compatible cocktails

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

Gin1 1/2 oz

VodkaKnown variation

How much to use: Use the same volume; expect less juniper and botanical aroma.
What changes: Vodka can replace gin when you want a cleaner, less botanical drink, but it usually changes the cocktail identity.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Triple Sec1 oz

CointreauGood swap

How much to use: Use the same amount; adjust sweetness only if needed.
What changes: Cointreau is usually a strong substitute for triple sec and often gives a drier, more intense orange note.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Blue CuracaoWorks, but changes the drink

How much to use: Use the same amount; expect a visible color change.
What changes: Blue curaçao can replace triple sec when the orange note is acceptable and the blue color is wanted.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Orange CuracaoWorks, but changes the drink

How much to use: Use the same amount, then adjust sweetness if needed.
What changes: Orange curaçao can replace triple sec, but it may make the drink richer or sweeter.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Lemon Juice1 tsp

Lime JuiceWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Start with the same amount, then adjust sweetness if the drink tastes too sharp.
What changes: Lime juice can usually replace lemon juice, but the drink becomes sharper and more tropical.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Grenadine1/2 tsp

Fresh GrenadineGood swap

How much to use: Use the same amount.
What changes: Fresh grenadine is usually a close substitute for grenadine.

Pomegranate SyrupWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Use the same amount, then adjust sweetness if needed.
What changes: Pomegranate syrup can replace grenadine when a more pomegranate-forward flavor is acceptable.

Vegetarian-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 July 12, 2026

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

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Related searches

Try alcohol-freeBrowse mocktails and zero-ABV alternatives.Make it lighterTry a longer serve style, more ice, soda, tonic or a lower-ABV alternative.Lower the sugarCompare with drinks that use less estimated sugar per serve.Lower the caloriesCompare with drinks that sit lower on estimated calories per serve.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a Boxcar?: The Boxcar is a cocktail made with 5 ingredients, traditionally served in a Whiskey Sour Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 24.7%. A standard serving contains approximately 214 calories.
What does a Boxcar taste like?: Boxcar has a flavour profile featuring Citrus, Sweet, Botanical, Herbal. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a Boxcar?: Boxcar pairs well with Seafood, Ceviche, Salads. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a Boxcar?: The Boxcar has an ABV of approximately 24.7%. That's approximately 1.55 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 214 kcal, 9.3g sugar, 11.0g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Boxcar typically served?: Boxcar is often suggested for Seafood Dinner, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Boxcar?: If you enjoy Boxcar, 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 a Boxcar at home?: Yes. The Boxcar uses 5 ingredients, making it straightforward to prepare at home. You will need a Whiskey Sour 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 Boxcar 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.