Cocktails

Chicago Cocktail

Chicago Cocktail is an alcoholic cocktail built on Brandy. It leans citrus and sweet. Served in a Old-Fashioned Glass. Expect about 23.3% ABV and roughly 373 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic23.3% ABV6 ingredients

At a Glance

373 kcalCalories

23.3%ABV

39.4gSugar

44.1gCarbs

1.95Std 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?

Advancedstirred drink

Why: 6 ingredients, stirred drink, requires rimmed glass, requires bar spoon

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

For glassLemon wedgeGarnish
1.0 ozsuperfine sugarOther
2.0 ozBrandyBase Spirit
0.75 ozFresh lemon juiceJuice
0.75 ozOrange curacaoLiqueur Modifier
to tasteMaraschino liqueurLiqueur Modifier

How to Make It

Rim chilled old-fashioned glass with lemon and sugar.Rim
Stir remaining ingredients with ice and strain into glass.Stirred

How to Serve

Glass: Old-Fashioned Glass
Temperature: Chilled
Ice: Ice
Method: Stirred

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Supporting notes

Tart Almond Cherry Dry

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
Noticeably sweet
Bright and citrusy

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

May be limited

Vegan

Not compatible

KetoLow-CarbLow-Sugar

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

Superfine Sugar1.0 oz

Powdered SugarWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Use carefully; powdered sugar can affect texture.
What changes: Powdered sugar can replace superfine sugar if it dissolves fully.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Simple SyrupWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Use about 1/4 oz simple syrup per teaspoon of sugar as a starting point.
What changes: Simple syrup can replace sugar, but it also adds water and dissolves more easily.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Brandy2.0 oz

CognacWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Use the same amount; taste before changing citrus or sweetener.
What changes: Cognac can replace generic brandy in a cocktail at the same measure; expect a more specific Cognac profile rather than a neutral brandy.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Fresh Lemon Juice0.75 oz

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

Orange Curacao0.75 oz

Triple SecWorks, but changes the drink

How much to use: Use the same amount, then adjust sweetness if needed.
What changes: Triple sec can replace orange curaçao when a cleaner orange liqueur profile is acceptable.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Maraschino Liqueurto taste

MaraschinoGood swap

How much to use: Use the same amount.
What changes: Maraschino can replace maraschino liqueur when the recipe uses it as a liqueur ingredient.

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.

Rate this recipe

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 Chicago Cocktail?: The Chicago Cocktail is a cocktail made with 6 ingredients, traditionally served in a Old-Fashioned Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 23.3%. A standard serving contains approximately 373 calories.
What does a Chicago Cocktail taste like?: Chicago Cocktail has a flavour profile featuring Citrus, Sweet, Tart. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a Chicago Cocktail?: Chicago Cocktail pairs well with Seafood, Ceviche, Salads. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a Chicago Cocktail?: The Chicago Cocktail has an ABV of approximately 23.3%. That's approximately 1.95 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 373 kcal, 39.4g sugar, 44.1g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Chicago Cocktail typically served?: Chicago Cocktail is often suggested for Seafood Dinner, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Chicago Cocktail?: If you enjoy Chicago Cocktail, 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 Chicago Cocktail at home?: Yes. The Chicago Cocktail uses 6 ingredients, making it more involved to prepare at home. You will need a Old-Fashioned 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 Chicago Cocktail 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.