Cocktails

Red Raider

Red Raider is an alcoholic cocktail built on Triple Sec. It leans citrus and sweet. Shaken and served in a Cocktail Glass. Expect about 20% ABV and roughly 332 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic20% ABV4 ingredients

At a Glance

332 kcalCalories

20%ABV

34gSugar

38.3gCarbs

1.67Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderateshaken drink

Why: 4 ingredients, shaken drink, requires shaker

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

1.0 ozBourbonBase Spirit
2.0 ozTriple SecLiqueur Modifier
1.0 ozLemon JuiceJuice
1.0 ozGrenadineSweetener

How to Make It

Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.Shaken

How to Serve

Glass: Cocktail Glass
Temperature: Chilled
Ice: Ice
Method: Shaken

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Supporting notes

Caramel Oak Spice Vanilla

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong

BodyLight – Full

SweetnessDry – Sweet

AcidityFlat – Crisp

FruitinessEarthy – Fruity

BoldnessDelicate – Bold

Noticeably sweet

What do these dimensions mean?

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

Bourbon1.0 oz

Rye WhiskeyWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Use the same amount; adjust sweetener if the drink becomes too dry.
What changes: Rye whiskey can replace bourbon when a spicier, drier version is acceptable.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Triple Sec2.0 oz

CointreauGood swap

How much to use: Use the same amount; adjust sweetness only if needed.
What changes: Cointreau is usually a strong substitute for triple sec and often gives a drier, more intense orange note.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Blue CuracaoWorks, but changes the drink

How much to use: Use the same amount; expect a visible color change.
What changes: Blue curaçao can replace triple sec when the orange note is acceptable and the blue color is wanted.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Orange CuracaoWorks, but changes the drink

How much to use: Use the same amount, then adjust sweetness if needed.
What changes: Orange curaçao can replace triple sec, but it may make the drink richer or sweeter.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Lemon Juice1.0 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.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Grenadine1.0 oz

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.

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.

Rate this recipe

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 a Red Raider?: The Red Raider is a cocktail made with 4 ingredients, traditionally served in a Cocktail Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 20.0%. A standard serving contains approximately 332 calories.
What does a Red Raider taste like?: Red Raider has a flavour profile featuring Citrus, Sweet, Caramel, Oak. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
How strong is a Red Raider?: The Red Raider has an ABV of approximately 20.0%. That's approximately 1.67 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 332 kcal, 34.0g sugar, 38.3g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
What drinks are similar to a Red Raider?: If you enjoy Red Raider, 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 Red Raider at home?: Yes. The Red Raider uses 4 ingredients, making it straightforward 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 Red Raider 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.