Cocktails

Vodka Sling

Vodka Sling is an alcoholic cocktail built on Vodka. It leans citrus and sweet. Built and served in a Old-Fashioned Glass. Expect about 17% ABV and roughly 320 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic17% ABV4 ingredients

At a Glance

320 kcalCalories

17%ABV

43.6gSugar

44.9gCarbs

1.42Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderatestirred drink

Why: 4 ingredients, stirred drink, requires bar spoon

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

2.0 ozVodkaBase Spirit
1.0 ozFresh lemon juiceJuice
2.0 ozSimple SyrupSweetener
1 garnishOrange twistGarnish

How to Make It

Pour vodka, lemon juice, and syrup into ice-filled old-fashioned glass and stir.Stirred
Add orange twist.Add

How to Serve

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

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Supporting notes

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong

BodyLight – Full

SweetnessDry – Sweet

AcidityFlat – Crisp

FruitinessEarthy – Fruity

Noticeably sweet
Bright and citrusy

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

Seafood DinnerSuggested from its lemon and citrus notes, pairing with ceviche and seafood.

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

Seafood Ceviche Salads

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

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

Fresh Lemon Juice1.0 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

Simple Syrup2.0 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.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-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.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-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.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-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.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Orange Twist1 garnish

Orange PeelGood swap

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

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Lemon TwistWorks, but changes the drink

How much to use: Use the same size twist.
What changes: Lemon twist can replace orange twist when a sharper lemon 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.

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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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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.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a Vodka Sling?: The Vodka Sling is a cocktail made with 4 ingredients, traditionally served in a Old-Fashioned Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 17.0%. A standard serving contains approximately 320 calories.
What does a Vodka Sling taste like?: Vodka Sling has a flavour profile featuring Citrus, Sweet, Tart. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a Vodka Sling?: Vodka Sling pairs well with Seafood, Ceviche, Salads. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a Vodka Sling?: The Vodka Sling has an ABV of approximately 17.0%. That's approximately 1.42 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 320 kcal, 43.6g sugar, 44.9g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Vodka Sling typically served?: Vodka Sling is often suggested for Seafood Dinner, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Vodka Sling?: If you enjoy Vodka Sling, 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 Vodka Sling at home?: Yes. The Vodka Sling 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 Vodka Sling 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.