Cocktails

White Lion Cocktail

White Lion Cocktail is an alcoholic cocktail built on Light Rum. It leans sweet and citrus. Shaken and served in a Cocktail Glass. Expect about 14.4% ABV and roughly 398 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic14.4% ABV5 ingredients

At a Glance

398 kcalCalories

14.4%ABV

62.1gSugar

63.4gCarbs

1.46Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Moderateshaken drink

Why: 5 ingredients, shaken drink, requires shaker

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

2.0 ozLight RumBase Spirit
1.0 ozFresh lemon juiceJuice
2.0 ozSimple SyrupSweetener
1.0 ozGrenadineSweetener
2 dashesAngostura BittersBitters

How to Make It

Shake with ice and strain into chilled cocktail glass.Shaken

How to Serve

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

Served Chilled

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Supporting notes

Bitter Vanilla Aromatic Tart Spice

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?

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 Rum2.0 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

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

Grenadine1.0 oz

Fresh GrenadineGood swap

How much to use: Use the same amount.
What changes: Fresh grenadine is usually a close substitute for grenadine.

Pomegranate SyrupWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Use the same amount, then adjust sweetness if needed.
What changes: Pomegranate syrup can replace grenadine when a more pomegranate-forward flavor is acceptable.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Angostura Bitters2 dashes

Aromatic BittersWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Start with the recipe’s dash count and taste before adding more.
What changes: Another aromatic bitters can replace Angostura when some change in spice and fruit character is acceptable.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Orange BittersNot a neutral swap

How much to use: Start with the recipe’s dash count and taste; the result will lose some baking-spice character.
What changes: Orange bitters can replace Angostura only when a brighter, more citrus-led 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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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 White Lion Cocktail?: The White Lion Cocktail is a cocktail made with 5 ingredients, traditionally served in a Cocktail Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 14.4%. A standard serving contains approximately 398 calories.
What does a White Lion Cocktail taste like?: White Lion Cocktail has a flavour profile featuring Sweet, Citrus, Bitter, Vanilla. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
How strong is a White Lion Cocktail?: The White Lion Cocktail has an ABV of approximately 14.4%. That's approximately 1.46 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 398 kcal, 62.1g sugar, 63.4g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
What drinks are similar to a White Lion Cocktail?: If you enjoy White Lion Cocktail, 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 White Lion Cocktail at home?: Yes. The White Lion Cocktail uses 5 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 White Lion Cocktail 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.