Cocktails

Vesper

Vesper is an alcoholic cocktail built on Gin. It leans citrus, aperitif and botanical. Shaken and served in a Cocktail Glass. Expect about 41.1% ABV and roughly 182 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic41.1% ABV3 ingredients

At a Glance

182 kcalCalories

41.1%ABV

0.5gSugar

0.6gCarbs

1.91Std 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

6 clGinBase Spirit
1.5 clVodkaBase Spirit
0.75 clLillet BlancFortified Wine

How to Make It

Shake over ice until well chilled, then strain into a deep goblet and garnish with a thin slice of lemon peel.Shaken

How to Serve

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

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

CitrusAperitifBotanical

Supporting notes

Floral Herbal Honey 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
Dry finish
Full-bodied

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

AperitifSuggested from its botanical and herbal notes.
Happy HourSuggested from 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

Gin6 cl

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.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Vodka1.5 cl

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

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 Vesper?: The Vesper is a cocktail made with 3 ingredients, traditionally served in a Cocktail Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 41.1%. A standard serving contains approximately 182 calories.
What does a Vesper taste like?: Vesper has a flavour profile featuring Citrus, Aperitif, Botanical, Floral. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a Vesper?: Vesper pairs well with Charcuterie, Olives, Salty Snacks. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a Vesper?: The Vesper has an ABV of approximately 41.1%. That's approximately 1.91 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 182 kcal, 0.5g sugar, 0.6g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Vesper typically served?: Vesper is often suggested for Aperitif, Happy Hour, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Vesper?: If you enjoy Vesper, 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 Vesper at home?: Yes. The Vesper 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 Vesper 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.