Cocktails

Night Cap

Night Cap is an alcoholic cocktail built on Light Rum. It leans vanilla and sweet. Built and served in a Irish Coffee Glass. Expect about 17.5% ABV and roughly 332 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic17.5% ABV3 ingredients

At a Glance

332 kcalCalories

17.5%ABV

44.4gSugar

44.4gCarbs

1.46Std 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?

Moderatestirred drink

Why: 3 ingredients, stirred drink, requires bar spoon

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

2.0 ozLight RumBase Spirit
2.0 ozSimple SyrupSweetener
Warm milkDairy Or Cream

How to Make It

Pour rum and syrup in prewarmed Irish coffee glass, fill with warm milk, and stir.Stirred
Top with nutmeg.Top

How to Serve

Glass: Irish Coffee Glass
Temperature: Warm
Method: Stirred

Served Warm

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Supporting notes

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong

BodyLight – Full

SweetnessDry – Sweet

Noticeably sweet
Full-bodied

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

Date NightSuggested from its vanilla notes, pairing with chocolate and desserts.
DessertSuggested from its cream and vanilla notes, pairing with desserts pairing.

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

DessertsChocolateCoffee Desserts

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

Light Rum2.0 oz

Aged RumKnown variation

How much to use: Use the same amount; reduce rich sweeteners only if the drink becomes too heavy.
What changes: Aged rum can replace light rum when a fuller, oakier variation is acceptable.

Dark RumWorks, but changes the drink

How much to use: Use the same amount; reduce rich sweeteners if the result becomes too heavy.
What changes: Dark rum can replace light rum when a deeper, heavier rum profile is welcome.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Simple Syrup2.0 oz

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.

Vegetarian-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.

Vegetarian-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.

Vegetarian-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.

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 June 18, 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 Night Cap?: The Night Cap is a cocktail made with 3 ingredients, traditionally served in a Irish Coffee Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 17.5%. A standard serving contains approximately 332 calories.
What does a Night Cap taste like?: Night Cap has a flavour profile featuring Vanilla, Sweet, Rich. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a Night Cap?: Night Cap pairs well with Desserts, Chocolate, Coffee Desserts. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a Night Cap?: The Night Cap has an ABV of approximately 17.5%. That's approximately 1.46 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 332 kcal, 44.4g sugar, 44.4g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Night Cap typically served?: Night Cap is often suggested for Date Night, Dessert, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Night Cap?: If you enjoy Night Cap, 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 Night Cap at home?: Yes. The Night Cap uses 3 ingredients, making it easy to prepare at home. You will need a Irish Coffee 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 Night Cap 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.