Cocktails

Thriller

Thriller is an alcoholic cocktail built on Scotch. It leans honey and oak. Served in a Cocktail Glass. Expect about 23% ABV and roughly 149 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic23% ABV3 ingredients

At a Glance

149 kcalCalories

23%ABV

2.9gSugar

4.1gCarbs

1.34Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Easyshaken drink

Why: 3 ingredients, shaken drink, requires shaker

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients & Tools

1 1/2 ozScotchBase Spirit
1 oz Green GingerWineFortified Wine
1 ozOrange juiceJuice

Tools:Cocktail Shaker

How to Make It

In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine all of the ingredients.Shaken
Shake well.Shaken
Strain into a cocktail glass.Strain

How to Serve

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

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Honey Oak

Supporting notes

SmokeCitrus Sweet TartAcid

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

BBQ / CookoutSuggested from its smoke and oak notes, pairing with bbq and grilled meat.

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

BBQ Steak Grilled Meat

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

Orange Juice1 oz

Pineapple JuiceWorks, but changes the drink

How much to use: Use the same amount first; reduce sweetener if the drink becomes too rich.
What changes: Pineapple juice can replace orange juice when a more tropical result is acceptable.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Grapefruit JuiceNot a neutral swap

How much to use: Use less at first and consider adding a little sweetener.
What changes: Grapefruit juice is not a neutral substitute for orange juice; it makes the drink sharper and more bitter.

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.

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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 Thriller?: The Thriller is a cocktail made with 3 ingredients, traditionally served in a Cocktail Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 23.0%. A standard serving contains approximately 149 calories.
What does a Thriller taste like?: Thriller has a flavour profile featuring Honey, Oak, Smoke, Citrus. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a Thriller?: Thriller pairs well with BBQ, Steak, Grilled Meat. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a Thriller?: The Thriller has an ABV of approximately 23.0%. That's approximately 1.34 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 149 kcal, 2.9g sugar, 4.1g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Thriller typically served?: Thriller is often suggested for BBQ / Cookout, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Thriller?: If you enjoy Thriller, 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 Thriller at home?: Yes. The Thriller uses 3 ingredients, making it easy 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 Thriller 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.