Cocktails

Red Swizzle

Red Swizzle is an alcoholic cocktail built on Gin. It leans sweet, citrus and herbal. Served in a Collins Glass. Expect about 12.8% ABV and roughly 281 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic12.8% ABV6 ingredients

At a Glance

281 kcalCalories

12.8%ABV

35.6gSugar

37.5gCarbs

1.5Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Easy

Why: 6 ingredients, uses syrup

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

1.0 ozJuice of a LimeJuice
1.0 ozPowdered SugarSweetener
2.0 ozCarbonated WaterMixer
2.0 ozGinBase Spirit
2 dashesBittersModifier
1.0 ozGrenadineSweetener

How to Make It

Make the same as Gin Swizzle (see page 99) and add one tablespoon of grenadine.Add
If desired, rum, brandy, or whiskey may be substituted for the gin.

How to Serve

Glass: Collins Glass

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Sweet Citrus Herbal

Supporting notes

Sparkling Botanical Juniper

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?

When to serve

SummerSuggested from its citrus and sparkling notes.
Seafood DinnerSuggested from its citrus notes, pairing with ceviche and seafood.

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

Seafood Ceviche Salads

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 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

Juice Of A Lime1.0 oz

Lemon JuiceWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Start with the same amount, then adjust sweetness if needed.
What changes: Lemon juice can usually replace lime juice, but the drink becomes less tropical and more lemon-forward.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Powdered Sugar1.0 oz

Superfine SugarWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Dissolve well; sweetness may need a small adjustment.
What changes: Superfine sugar can replace powdered sugar in many shaken drinks.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Carbonated Water2.0 oz

Soda WaterGood swap

How much to use: Use the same amount.
What changes: Soda water is usually a close substitute for carbonated water.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Gin2.0 oz

VodkaKnown variation

How much to use: Use the same volume; expect less juniper and botanical aroma.
What changes: Vodka can replace gin when you want a cleaner, less botanical drink, but it usually changes the cocktail identity.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Bitters2 dashes

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

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.

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.

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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Frequently asked questions

What is a Red Swizzle?: The Red Swizzle is a cocktail made with 6 ingredients, traditionally served in a Collins Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 12.8%. A standard serving contains approximately 281 calories.
What does a Red Swizzle taste like?: Red Swizzle has a flavour profile featuring Sweet, Citrus, Herbal. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a Red Swizzle?: Red Swizzle pairs well with Seafood, Ceviche, Salads. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a Red Swizzle?: The Red Swizzle has an ABV of approximately 12.8%. That's approximately 1.50 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 281 kcal, 35.6g sugar, 37.5g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Red Swizzle typically served?: Red Swizzle is often suggested for Seafood Dinner, Summer, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Red Swizzle?: If you enjoy Red Swizzle, 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 Swizzle at home?: Yes. The Red Swizzle uses 6 ingredients, making it more involved to prepare at home. You will need a Collins 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 Swizzle 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.