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WhatDrink

Cocktails

Vodka Sling

Vodka Sling is a cocktail made with Vodka, Fresh Lemon Juice, Simple Syrup, and Orange Twist. The listed recipe is built and served in a Old-Fashioned Glass.

Reviewed by How 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

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

How to Serve

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

Serving tips

Serving tips

Serve Vodka Sling tall or well chilled where appropriate. Good ice and enough dilution help the drink stay refreshing from first sip to last. It is commonly matched with seafood, ceviche, salads style pairings.

Taste

What does Vodka Sling taste like?

Vodka Sling is a longer, more refreshing style of drink. Bubbles, citrus, mixer or dilution help make it easier to sip than a short spirit-forward cocktail.

Primary flavours

CitrusSweet

Supporting notes

Tart

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?

Practical notes

When to choose it

How to decide if Vodka Sling is right for you

Vodka Sling is a good fit when you want a longer, colder and easier-drinking cocktail. Choose it for refreshment rather than intensity. The listed serve is about 17.0% ABV, so strength is part of the decision.

Skip if

Skip Vodka Sling if...

Skip Vodka Sling if you want a short, intense or spirit-forward cocktail. Longer refreshing drinks are built for cold drinkability rather than concentrated strength.

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

SeafoodCevicheSalads

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-FreeVeganVegetarian

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

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

Frequently asked questions

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.