Cocktails

Van Vleet

Van Vleet is an alcoholic cocktail built on Light Rum. It leans maple and sweet. Shaken and served in a Old-Fashioned Glass. Expect about 26.3% ABV and roughly 248 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic26.3% ABV3 ingredients

At a Glance

248 kcalCalories

26.3%ABV

9.6gSugar

10.9gCarbs

2.19Std 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

3 ozLight rumBase Spirit
1 ozMaple syrupSweetener
1 ozLemon juiceJuice

How to Make It

Shake all ingredients with ice, strain into an old-fashioned glass over ice cubes, and serve.Shaken

How to Serve

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

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

MapleSweet

Supporting notes

Citrus Vanilla Tart

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong

BodyLight – Full

SweetnessDry – Sweet

AcidityFlat – Crisp

FruitinessEarthy – Fruity

High ABV
Bright and citrusy

What do these dimensions mean?

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

Light Rum3 oz

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.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Lemon Juice1 oz

Lime JuiceWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Start with the same amount, then adjust sweetness if the drink tastes too sharp.
What changes: Lime juice can usually replace lemon juice, but the drink becomes sharper and more tropical.

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 Van Vleet?: The Van Vleet is a cocktail made with 3 ingredients, traditionally served in a Old-Fashioned Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 26.3%. A standard serving contains approximately 248 calories.
What does a Van Vleet taste like?: Van Vleet has a flavour profile featuring Maple, Sweet, Citrus, Vanilla. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
How strong is a Van Vleet?: The Van Vleet has an ABV of approximately 26.3%. That's approximately 2.19 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 248 kcal, 9.6g sugar, 10.9g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
What drinks are similar to a Van Vleet?: If you enjoy Van Vleet, 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 Van Vleet at home?: Yes. The Van Vleet uses 3 ingredients, making it easy 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 Van Vleet 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.