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WhatDrink

Cocktails

Jitterbug

Jitterbug is a cocktail made with Gin, Vodka, Grenadine, and Lime Juice. It is served in a Cocktail Glass.

Reviewed by How we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction
Cocktailalcoholic21.1% ABV7 ingredients

At a Glance

331 kcalCalories
21.1%ABV
4.3gSugar
7.3gCarbs
3.25Std 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?

Moderatebuilt drink

Why: 7 ingredients, requires rimmed glass

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

How to Make It

  1. Wet glass, dip rim in sugar.Rim
  2. Then add Ice.Add
  3. Then add everything else.Add
  4. It's that simple!

How to Serve

Glass
Cocktail Glass
Temperature
Chilled
Ice
Ice
Served Chilled

Serving tips

Serving tips

Serve Jitterbug cold and taste the citrus balance before adding extra sugar. Fresh citrus usually makes the biggest difference. It is commonly matched with seafood, ceviche, salads style pairings.

Taste

What does Jitterbug taste like?

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

Primary flavours

SweetCitrus

Supporting notes

SparklingBotanicalHerbalJuniperAromatic

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong
BodyLight – Full
SweetnessDry – Sweet
AcidityFlat – Crisp
FruitinessEarthy – Fruity
BoldnessDelicate – Bold

What do these dimensions mean?

Practical notes

When to choose it

How to decide if Jitterbug is right for you

Jitterbug 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 20.0% ABV, so strength is part of the decision.

Skip if

Skip Jitterbug if...

Skip Jitterbug 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 citrus notes, pairing with ceviche and seafood.
  • SummerSuggested from its citrus and sparkling notes.

Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, strict multi-signal supplemental rules, and cached for public page performance.

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-FreeVeganVegetarian

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

Gin2 jiggers

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.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Vodka1 jigger

GinWorks, but changes the drink
How much to use
Use the same volume; expect more juniper and herbal aroma.
What changes
Gin can replace vodka when a more botanical result is acceptable.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Grenadine3 dashes

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.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Lime Juice1 shot

Lemon JuiceWorks, with a noticeable change
How much to use
Start with the same amount, then adjust sweetness if needed.
What changes
Lemon juice can usually replace lime juice, but the drink becomes less tropical and more lemon-forward.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

SugarAround rim put 1 pinch

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.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Sugar Syrup3 dashes

SugarWorks, with a noticeable change
How much to use
Dissolve well before serving or muddle/shake hard; start with about 1 teaspoon sugar per 1/4 oz syrup.
What changes
Sugar can replace simple syrup if it fully dissolves, but it adds less water.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible
Agave SyrupWorks, but changes the drink
How much to use
Use slightly less at first, then adjust to taste.
What changes
Agave syrup can replace simple syrup, especially in tequila or mezcal drinks, but it adds an earthy agave note.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible
Demerara SyrupWorks, but changes the drink
How much to use
Use the same amount, but avoid in very delicate drinks unless you want the darker flavor.
What changes
Demerara syrup can replace simple syrup when a richer, darker sugar note is welcome.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible
Honey SyrupWorks, but changes the drink
How much to use
Use slightly less at first; honey syrup can dominate delicate drinks.
What changes
Honey syrup can replace simple syrup when a richer, floral sweetness is acceptable.
Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible
Maple SyrupNot a neutral swap
How much to use
Use less at first and avoid in delicate citrus or clear drinks unless you want maple flavor.
What changes
Maple syrup can replace simple syrup in darker or whiskey-style drinks, but it is not a neutral swap.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Soda WaterFill to top with

Carbonated WaterGood swap
How much to use
Use the same amount.
What changes
Carbonated water is usually a close substitute for soda water.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible
Club SodaGood swap
How much to use
Use the same amount.
What changes
Club soda is usually a close substitute for soda water.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible
Sparkling WaterGood swap
How much to use
Use the same amount.
What changes
Sparkling water is usually a close substitute for soda water.
Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible
Tonic WaterNot a neutral swap
How much to use
Use only if you want a tonic-style drink.
What changes
Tonic water is not a neutral replacement for soda water; it adds bitterness and sweetness.
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

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 Jitterbug at home?
Yes. The Jitterbug uses 7 ingredients, making it more involved to prepare at home. You will need a Cocktail Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.