Cocktails

Old Pal

Old Pal is an alcoholic cocktail built on Rye Whiskey. It leans herbal, aperitif and bitter. Served in a Nick And Nora Glass. Expect about 32.8% ABV and roughly 257 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic32.8% ABV3 ingredients

At a Glance

257 kcalCalories

32.8%ABV

7.1gSugar

9.2gCarbs

2.18Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

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 & Tools

2 ozRye whiskeyBase Spirit
1 ozCampariLiqueur Modifier
1 ozDry VermouthFortified Wine

Tools:Mixing Glass

How to Make It

Chill cocktail glass.
Add ingredients to a mixing glass, and fill 2/3 full with ice.Fill
Stir about 20 seconds.Stirred
Empty cocktail glass and strain into the glass.Strain
Garnish with a twist of lemon peel.Garnish

How to Serve

Glass: Nick And Nora Glass
Temperature: Chilled
Ice: Ice
Method: Stirred

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

HerbalAperitifBitter

Supporting notes

Botanical Citrus Dry 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

High ABV
Full-bodied
Bold and complex

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

AperitifSuggested from its bitter and dry notes.
Happy HourSuggested from its bitter and 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

Rye Whiskey2 oz

Straight Rye WhiskeyGood swap

How much to use: Use the same amount; taste before changing sweetener.
What changes: Straight rye whiskey is usually a close replacement for generic rye whiskey in cocktails.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

BourbonWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Use the same amount; reduce sweetener slightly if needed.
What changes: Bourbon can replace rye whiskey when a rounder, sweeter version is acceptable.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Campari1 oz

AperolNot a neutral swap

How much to use: Use the same amount, but expect a much softer drink.
What changes: Aperol can replace Campari only if you want a sweeter, lighter and less bitter result.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Dry Vermouth1 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

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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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 an Old Pal?: The Old Pal is a cocktail made with 3 ingredients, traditionally served in a Nick And Nora Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 32.8%. A standard serving contains approximately 257 calories.
What does an Old Pal taste like?: Old Pal has a flavour profile featuring Herbal, Aperitif, Bitter, Botanical. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with an Old Pal?: Old Pal pairs well with Charcuterie, Olives, Salty Snacks. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is an Old Pal?: The Old Pal has an ABV of approximately 32.8%. That's approximately 2.18 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 257 kcal, 7.1g sugar, 9.2g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is an Old Pal typically served?: Old Pal is often suggested for Aperitif, Happy Hour, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to an Old Pal?: If you enjoy Old Pal, 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 an Old Pal at home?: Yes. The Old Pal uses 3 ingredients, making it easy to prepare at home. You will need a Nick And Nora 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 Old Pal 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.