Cocktails

Palmer Cocktail

Palmer Cocktail is a cocktail made with Blended Whiskey, Bitters, and Lemon Juice. The listed recipe is stirred and served in a Cocktail Glass.

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic22.7% ABV3 ingredients

At a Glance

161 kcalCalories

22.7%ABV

1.5gSugar

4.1gCarbs

1.52Std 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

2.0 ozBlended whiskeyBase Spirit
1 dashBittersModifier
2.0 ozLemon JuiceJuice

How to Make It

Stir with ice and strain in cocktail glass.Stirred

How to Serve

Glass: Cocktail Glass
Temperature: Chilled
Ice: Ice
Method: Stirred

Served Chilled

Serving tips

Serve Palmer Cocktail 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 Palmer Cocktail taste like?

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

Primary flavours

Citrus Oak

Supporting notes

Spice Vanilla Bitter Herbal Spicy

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
Dry finish

What do these dimensions mean?

Practical notes

When to choose it

How to decide if Palmer Cocktail is right for you

Palmer Cocktail 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 22.7% ABV, so strength is part of the decision.

Skip if

Skip Palmer Cocktail if...

Skip Palmer Cocktail 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

AperitifSuggested from its bitter and herbal 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.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-Free Vegan Vegetarian

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

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.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Lemon Juice2.0 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.

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 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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Frequently asked questions

Can I make a Palmer Cocktail at home?: Yes. The Palmer Cocktail uses 3 ingredients, making it easy to prepare at home. You will need a Cocktail Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.