Cocktails

Shanghai Cocktail

Served in a Cocktail Glass

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic4 ingredients

Nutrition information is not yet available for this drink.

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 oz JamaicanLight rumUnknown
1 tspAnisetteUnknown
1/2 tspGrenadineUnknown
Juice of 1/4LemonUnknown

How to Make It

Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into a cocktail glass, and serve.Shaken

How to Serve

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

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Sweet Anise

Supporting notes

Citrus Vanilla Aromatic Tart

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

SweetnessDry – Sweet

AcidityFlat – Crisp

FruitinessEarthy – Fruity

Bright and citrusy

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

Light Rum1 oz Jamaican

Aged RumKnown variation

How much to use: Use the same amount; reduce rich sweeteners only if the drink becomes too heavy.
What changes: Aged rum can replace light rum when a fuller, oakier variation is acceptable.

Dark RumWorks, but changes the drink

How much to use: Use the same amount; reduce rich sweeteners if the result becomes too heavy.
What changes: Dark rum can replace light rum when a deeper, heavier rum profile is welcome.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Grenadine1/2 tsp

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 July 24, 2026

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

Explore by goal

Frequently asked questions

What is a Shanghai Cocktail?: The Shanghai Cocktail is a cocktail made with 4 ingredients, traditionally served in a Cocktail Glass. It is a non-alcoholic drink.
What does a Shanghai Cocktail taste like?: Shanghai Cocktail has a flavour profile featuring Sweet, Anise, Citrus, Vanilla. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
How strong is a Shanghai Cocktail?: The strength of Shanghai Cocktail depends on the exact measures and spirits used. Check the individual ingredient quantities in the recipe above for a precise estimate.
What drinks are similar to a Shanghai Cocktail?: If you enjoy Shanghai 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 Shanghai Cocktail at home?: Yes. The Shanghai Cocktail 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 Shanghai 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.