Cocktails

Palmer Cocktail

Palmer Cocktail is an alcoholic cocktail built on Blended Whiskey. It leans citrus and oak. Stirred and served in a Cocktail Glass. Expect about 22.7% ABV and roughly 161 kcal (estimated per recipe).

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

Taste profile

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?

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

What is a Palmer Cocktail?: The Palmer Cocktail is a cocktail made with 3 ingredients, traditionally served in a Cocktail Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 22.7%. A standard serving contains approximately 161 calories.
What does a Palmer Cocktail taste like?: Palmer Cocktail has a flavour profile featuring Citrus, Oak, Spice, Vanilla. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
How strong is a Palmer Cocktail?: The Palmer Cocktail has an ABV of approximately 22.7%. That's approximately 1.52 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 161 kcal, 1.5g sugar, 4.1g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Palmer Cocktail typically served?: Palmer Cocktail is often suggested for Aperitif, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Palmer Cocktail?: If you enjoy Palmer Cocktail, 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 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.
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 Palmer Cocktail 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.