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WhatDrink

Cocktails

Boxcar

Boxcar is a cocktail made with Gin, Triple Sec, Lemon Juice, and Grenadine. It is served in a Whiskey Sour Glass.

Reviewed by How 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

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

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

How to Serve

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

Taste

What does Boxcar taste like?

Boxcar is bright and tart, with citrus carrying much of the first impression. Sweetness and dilution need to balance the sharpness.

Primary flavours

CitrusSweet

Supporting notes

BotanicalHerbalJuniperAromatic

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?

Practical notes

Variations

Easy ways to adjust Boxcar

For a sharper version, increase the citrus slightly. For a rounder version, add a touch more sweetener or use a richer base ingredient, but avoid hiding the fresh acidity.

When to choose it

How to decide if Boxcar is right for you

Boxcar is best when you want brightness and a clean tart edge. Choose it if citrus balance matters more than richness, creaminess or heavy sweetness. The listed serve is about 24.7% ABV, so strength is part of the decision.

Skip if

Skip Boxcar if...

Skip Boxcar if tart citrus is not what you want. Sour-style drinks rely on acidity, so they can feel sharp when you are looking for richness or sweetness.

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

SeafoodCevicheSalads

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-FreeVegetarian

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

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

Frequently asked questions

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.