Cocktails

Soviet

Soviet is an alcoholic cocktail built on Vodka. It leans dry, citrus and botanical. Shaken and served in a Old-Fashioned Glass. Expect about 25.3% ABV and roughly 284 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic25.3% ABV4 ingredients

At a Glance

284 kcalCalories

25.3%ABV

3.6gSugar

7.1gCarbs

2.53Std 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

2.0 ozVodkaBase Spirit
2.0 ozAmontillado sherryFortified Wine
2.0 ozDry VermouthFortified Wine
1 garnishLemon twistGarnish

How to Make It

Shake with ice and strain into ice-filled old-fashioned glass.Shaken
Add lemon twist.Add

How to Serve

Glass: Old-Fashioned Glass
Temperature: Chilled
Ice: Ice
Method: Shaken

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Dry Citrus Botanical

Supporting notes

Caramel Herbal NuttyOxidative

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

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

AperitifSuggested from its dry and botanical notes.
Happy HourSuggested from its dry notes, pairing with charcuterie and olives.

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

Charcuterie OlivesSalty Snacks

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

May be limited

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

Vodka2.0 oz

GinWorks, but changes the drink

How much to use: Use the same volume; expect more juniper and herbal aroma.
What changes: Gin can replace vodka when a more botanical result is acceptable.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Dry Vermouth2.0 oz

Dry SherryWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Use the same amount, then taste; the result will be less herbal and more savoury.
What changes: Dry sherry can replace dry vermouth when a drier, more saline and less herbal variation is acceptable.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Lillet BlancKnown variation

How much to use: Start with the recipe amount and taste; reduce it if the drink becomes too soft or sweet.
What changes: Lillet Blanc can stand in for dry vermouth in a Martini-style drink, but it produces a softer and slightly sweeter variation.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Sweet VermouthNot a neutral swap

How much to use: Use only if a sweeter vermouth profile is acceptable.
What changes: Sweet vermouth is not a neutral substitute for dry vermouth; it makes the drink sweeter and rounder.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Lemon Twist1 garnish

Lemon PeelGood swap

How much to use: Use a similar-sized piece of peel.
What changes: Lemon peel is usually a close substitute for a lemon twist.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Orange TwistWorks, but changes the drink

How much to use: Use the same size twist.
What changes: Orange twist can replace lemon twist when a sweeter orange aroma 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.

Explore by goal

Related searches

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 caloriesCompare with drinks that sit lower on estimated calories per serve.Make it simplerTry drinks with three ingredients or fewer.

Explore next

Cocktail recipes Mocktail alternatives Food pairings Flavors

Frequently asked questions

What is a Soviet?: The Soviet is a cocktail made with 4 ingredients, traditionally served in a Old-Fashioned Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 25.3%. A standard serving contains approximately 284 calories.
What does a Soviet taste like?: Soviet has a flavour profile featuring Dry, Citrus, Botanical, Caramel. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a Soviet?: Soviet pairs well with Charcuterie, Olives, Salty Snacks. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a Soviet?: The Soviet has an ABV of approximately 25.3%. That's approximately 2.53 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 284 kcal, 3.6g sugar, 7.1g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Soviet typically served?: Soviet is often suggested for Aperitif, Happy Hour, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Soviet?: If you enjoy Soviet, 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 Soviet at home?: Yes. The Soviet uses 4 ingredients, making it straightforward to prepare at home. You will need a Old-Fashioned 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 Soviet 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.