Cocktails

The Wink

The Wink is an alcoholic cocktail built on Gin. It leans citrus, sweet and herbal. Served in a Old-Fashioned Glass. Expect about 31.7% ABV and roughly 291 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic31.7% ABV5 ingredients

At a Glance

291 kcalCalories

31.7%ABV

21.6gSugar

22.7gCarbs

1.97Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderatestirred drink

Why: 5 ingredients, stirred drink, requires bar spoon

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

1 splashAbsintheBase Spirit
2.0 ozGinBase Spirit
0.75 ozTriple SecLiqueur Modifier
0.75 ozSimple SyrupSweetener
2 dashesPeychauds BittersBitters

How to Make It

Rinse a chilled old-fashioned glass with absinthe and pour out excess absinthe.Pour
Stir remaining ingredients with ice and strain into glass.Stirred
Garnish with a wink.Garnish

How to Serve

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

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Citrus Sweet Herbal

Supporting notes

Anise Bitter 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

High ABV
Noticeably sweet
Full-bodied

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

AperitifSuggested from its bitter and botanical notes.
Happy HourSuggested from its bitter 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 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

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.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Triple Sec0.75 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

Simple Syrup0.75 oz

SugarWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Dissolve well before serving or muddle/shake hard; start with about 1 teaspoon sugar per 1/4 oz syrup.
What changes: Sugar can replace simple syrup if it fully dissolves, but it adds less water.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Agave SyrupWorks, but changes the drink

How much to use: Use slightly less at first, then adjust to taste.
What changes: Agave syrup can replace simple syrup, especially in tequila or mezcal drinks, but it adds an earthy agave note.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Demerara SyrupWorks, but changes the drink

How much to use: Use the same amount, but avoid in very delicate drinks unless you want the darker flavor.
What changes: Demerara syrup can replace simple syrup when a richer, darker sugar note is welcome.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Honey SyrupWorks, but changes the drink

How much to use: Use slightly less at first; honey syrup can dominate delicate drinks.
What changes: Honey syrup can replace simple syrup when a richer, floral sweetness is acceptable.

Vegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Maple SyrupNot a neutral swap

How much to use: Use less at first and avoid in delicate citrus or clear drinks unless you want maple flavor.
What changes: Maple syrup can replace simple syrup in darker or whiskey-style drinks, but it is not a neutral swap.

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.

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 sugarCompare with drinks that use less estimated sugar per serve.Lower the caloriesCompare with drinks that sit lower on estimated calories per serve.

Explore next

Cocktail recipes Mocktail alternatives Food pairings Flavors

Frequently asked questions

What is a The Wink?: The The Wink is a cocktail made with 5 ingredients, traditionally served in a Old-Fashioned Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 31.7%. A standard serving contains approximately 291 calories.
What does a The Wink taste like?: The Wink has a flavour profile featuring Citrus, Sweet, Herbal, Anise. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a The Wink?: The Wink pairs well with Charcuterie, Olives, Salty Snacks. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a The Wink?: The The Wink has an ABV of approximately 31.7%. That's approximately 1.97 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 291 kcal, 21.6g sugar, 22.7g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a The Wink typically served?: The Wink is often suggested for Aperitif, Happy Hour, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a The Wink?: If you enjoy The Wink, 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 The Wink at home?: Yes. The The Wink uses 5 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 The Wink 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.