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Fortified Wines

Madeira

  • Fortified Wine
  • 19.5% ABV
  • 5 drinks

Is this for me?

Choose this if…

  • ✓You want complex, nutty or caramel-rich fortified wine.

Skip if…

  • ✗You prefer fresh, crisp or neutral styles.

At a Glance

45 kcalCalories
19.5%ABV
1.8gSugar
3.6gCarbs
Fortified WineType
5Recipes

Ingredient nutrition is approximate and varies by brand, recipe and preparation.

What is Madeira?

Madeira is a fortified or aromatized wine component used for drink guides, aperitif context, cocktail modifiers and food pairing. It should be described by sweetness, oxidation, botanicals, fruit, acidity, body and serving context rather than cocktail recipe count alone.

What does Madeira taste like?

wine base, sweetness, acidity, oxidation, botanicals, dried fruit, aperitif structure

Madeira profile

Mixability: MediumIntensity: MediumBalancedBeginner-friendly: Medium

Best used for: aromatic cocktails, tropical drinks, stirred cocktails, aperitifs

Ways to use madeira

Cocktails (5)

Madeira is a fortified or aromatized wine component used for drink guides, aperitif context, cocktail modifiers and food pairing. It should be described by sweetness, oxidation, botanicals, fruit, acidity, body and serving context rather than cocktail recipe count alone.

Flavour profile

CaramelDried FruitNuttyOxidative

Observed quantities

Observed in single-serve recipes: middle half 29.57–59.15 ml; median 59.15 ml.

In the measured recipes in this dataset — from 5 observed uses.

Scoped nutrition

Calories (per 100 ml)
150
Sugar (per 100 ml)
6 g
Carbs (per 100 ml)
12 g

Ingredient nutrition is approximate and varies by brand, recipe and preparation.

Diet compatibility

  • Gluten-FreeCompatible
  • KetoLimited
  • Low-CarbLimited
  • Low-SugarLimited
  • VeganCompatible
  • VegetarianCompatible

Based on the listed ingredient only — a public recipe facet, not medical, allergy or coeliac advice. Specific brands and preparation can change compatibility.

Trust & methodology

Canonical ingredient/component authority assembled from reviewed identity, recipe, flavour, nutrition, diet and substitution evidence. Observed quantities and co-use patterns are descriptive, not prescriptions or universal recommendations.

Evidence last updated: 2026-07-22T00:39:18.100623+00:00

Drink counts and recipe data are based on published WhatDrink recipes. Figures may vary as new recipes are added.

Madeira — common questions

How many cocktails are made with Madeira?
There are 5 cocktail recipes featuring Madeira in the WhatDrink database.
What are the most popular cocktails made with Madeira?
Top-ranked cocktails made with Madeira include Creole Lady, Creole Lady Cocktail, Montezuma. Rankings are based on recipe quality and data completeness.
What is the ABV of Madeira?
Madeira has an ABV of approximately 19.5%. The exact strength varies by brand and expression.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?
Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Intensity (light to bold), Sweetness (dry to sweet), Mixability (how versatile it is in cocktails) and Beginner-Friendly (acquired taste to easy intro). Each scale helps you compare Madeira with similar ingredients at a glance.
How do I use the Madeira sensory profile to find drinks I like?
If you enjoy the intensity and flavour profile of Madeira, look for other ingredients or cocktails with a similar profile. Compare Intensity, Sweetness and Mixability to find substitutes or discover new cocktails in the same flavour family.