Cocktails

West Side

West Side is an alcoholic cocktail built on Lemon-Flavored Vodka. It leans citrus and sweet. Shaken and served in a Cocktail Glass. Expect about 10.6% ABV and roughly 340 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic10.6% ABV4 ingredients

At a Glance

340 kcalCalories

10.6%ABV

45.8gSugar

51gCarbs

1.42Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderateshaken drink

Why: 4 ingredients, shaken drink, requires shaker

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

2.0 ozlemon-flavored vodkaBase Spirit
4.0 ozFresh lemon juiceJuice
2.0 ozSimple SyrupSweetener
6Fresh mint leavesGarnish

How to Make It

Shake first four ingredients with ice and double-strain into chilled cocktail glass.Shaken
Top with a splash of soda water.Top

How to Serve

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

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Supporting notes

Mint Tart Herbal

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong

BodyLight – Full

SweetnessDry – Sweet

AcidityFlat – Crisp

FruitinessEarthy – Fruity

BoldnessDelicate – Bold

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

Fresh Lemon Juice4.0 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

Fresh Mint Leaves6

MintGood swap

How much to use: Use a similar amount and gently clap or muddle depending on the recipe.
What changes: Mint is usually a close substitute for fresh mint leaves.

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 July 12, 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 West Side?: The West Side is a cocktail made with 4 ingredients, traditionally served in a Cocktail Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 10.6%. A standard serving contains approximately 340 calories.
What does a West Side taste like?: West Side has a flavour profile featuring Citrus, Sweet, Mint, Tart. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a West Side?: West Side pairs well with Seafood, Ceviche, Salads. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a West Side?: The West Side has an ABV of approximately 10.6%. That's approximately 1.42 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 340 kcal, 45.8g sugar, 51.0g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a West Side typically served?: West Side is often suggested for Seafood Dinner, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a West Side?: If you enjoy West Side, 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 West Side at home?: Yes. The West Side uses 4 ingredients, making it straightforward 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 West Side 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.