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WhatDrink

Cocktails

Red Raider

Red Raider is a cocktail made with Bourbon, Triple Sec, Lemon Juice, and Grenadine. The listed recipe is shaken and served in a Cocktail Glass.

Reviewed by How 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

How to Make It

  1. Shake with ice and strain into cocktail glass.Shaken

How to Serve

Glass
Cocktail Glass
Temperature
Chilled
Ice
Ice
Method
Shaken
Served Chilled

Serving tips

Serving tips

Serve Red Raider 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 Red Raider taste like?

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

Primary flavours

CitrusSweet

Supporting notes

CaramelOakSpiceVanilla

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?

Practical notes

When to choose it

How to decide if Red Raider is right for you

Red Raider 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 20.0% ABV, so strength is part of the decision.

Skip if

Skip Red Raider if...

Skip Red Raider 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.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-FreeVegetarian

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.

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Last updated

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

Frequently asked questions

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.