Cocktails

Combo

Combo is an alcoholic cocktail built on Dry Vermouth. It leans sweet, citrus and herbal. Shaken and served in a Old-Fashioned Glass. Expect about 18.4% ABV and roughly 447 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic18.4% ABV5 ingredients

At a Glance

447 kcalCalories

18.4%ABV

50.3gSugar

54.4gCarbs

2.16Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

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

2.0 ozDry VermouthFortified Wine
1.0 ozBrandyBase Spirit
2.0 ozTriple SecLiqueur Modifier
2.0 ozPowdered SugarSweetener
1 dashBittersModifier

How to Make It

Shake with ice and strain into old-fashioned glass over ice cubes.Shaken

How to Serve

Glass: Old-Fashioned Glass
Temperature: Chilled
Ice: Cubed ice
Method: Shaken

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Sweet Citrus Herbal

Supporting notes

Botanical Dry Fruit Oak

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong

BodyLight – Full

SweetnessDry – Sweet

AcidityFlat – Crisp

FruitinessEarthy – Fruity

BoldnessDelicate – Bold

Noticeably sweet
Bold and complex

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

AperitifSuggested from its dry and botanical notes.
Happy HourSuggested from its dry notes, pairing with charcuterie and olives.

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

Charcuterie OlivesSalty Snacks

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

Dry Vermouth2.0 oz

Dry SherryWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Use the same amount, then taste; the result will be less herbal and more savoury.
What changes: Dry sherry can replace dry vermouth when a drier, more saline and less herbal variation is acceptable.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Lillet BlancKnown variation

How much to use: Start with the recipe amount and taste; reduce it if the drink becomes too soft or sweet.
What changes: Lillet Blanc can stand in for dry vermouth in a Martini-style drink, but it produces a softer and slightly sweeter variation.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Sweet VermouthNot a neutral swap

How much to use: Use only if a sweeter vermouth profile is acceptable.
What changes: Sweet vermouth is not a neutral substitute for dry vermouth; it makes the drink sweeter and rounder.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Brandy1.0 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

Triple Sec2.0 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

Powdered Sugar2.0 oz

Superfine SugarWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Dissolve well; sweetness may need a small adjustment.
What changes: Superfine sugar can replace powdered sugar in many shaken drinks.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Bitters1 dash

Angostura BittersKnown variation

How much to use: Start with the recipe’s dash count and taste before adding more.
What changes: When a recipe says only “bitters,” Angostura is a common aromatic default, except in drinks built around another named bitters style.

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 June 18, 2026

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

Explore by goal

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.

Explore next

Cocktail recipes Mocktail alternatives Food pairings Flavors

Frequently asked questions

What is a Combo?: The Combo is a cocktail made with 5 ingredients, traditionally served in a Old-Fashioned Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 18.4%. A standard serving contains approximately 447 calories.
What does a Combo taste like?: Combo has a flavour profile featuring Sweet, Citrus, Herbal, Botanical. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a Combo?: Combo pairs well with Charcuterie, Olives, Salty Snacks. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a Combo?: The Combo has an ABV of approximately 18.4%. That's approximately 2.16 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 447 kcal, 50.3g sugar, 54.4g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Combo typically served?: Combo is often suggested for Aperitif, Happy Hour, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Combo?: If you enjoy Combo, 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 Combo at home?: Yes. The Combo uses 5 ingredients, making it straightforward 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 Combo 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.