Shanghai Cocktail
The Shanghai Cocktail is a strong rum sour, tart and sweet on the palate. Shaken and served in a cocktail glass.
- 3 min
- Cocktail glass
- Shaken
Flavor profile
- Tart
- 65 out of 100
- Sweet
- 56 out of 100
- Fruity
- 26 out of 100
- Herbal
- 31 out of 100
- Boozy
- 72 out of 100
How to make a Shanghai Cocktail
To make a Shanghai Cocktail, shake with ice and strain into a cocktail glass: 1 oz light rum, ¼ oz Anisette, 3 dashes grenadine and ⅓ oz lemon.
You'll need
Pairs well with: Grenadine · All syrups
Instructions
- 1
Chill a cocktail glass: fill it with ice and water while you mix, then tip it out.
- 2
Add light rum, anisette, grenadine and lemon juice to a cocktail shaker.
- 3
Fill the shaker with ice.
- 4
Shake hard for 10-15 seconds, until the outside is frosty.
- 5
Strain into the chilled cocktail glass.
Why shake? Lemon juice needs a hard shake to mix and chill properly.
Shanghai Cocktail questions
What does a Shanghai Cocktail taste like?
Mostly tart and sweet, with a noticeable alcohol warmth. It's a strong drink at about 22% ABV once mixed.
How strong is a Shanghai Cocktail?
About 22% ABV after mixing with ice, stronger than wine, lighter than a neat spirit.
What's the difference between a Shanghai Cocktail and an Adam?
Both use grenadine and lemon. The Shanghai Cocktail adds light rum and Anisette, while the Adam uses dark rum.
Should a Shanghai Cocktail be shaken or stirred?
Shaken: grenadine and lemon need a hard shake to mix and chill properly.
What can I use instead of grenadine?
Raspberry syrup will work.
Can I make Shanghai Cocktails in a batch?
Yes. For 6 drinks, mix 6 oz light rum, 1 oz Anisette, ½ oz grenadine and 2¼ oz lemon in a jug and chill it. Add 2 oz of cold water to stand in for the dilution from shaking. Pour over fresh ice to serve.