What ingredients are in a Boxcar?

1 1/2 oz Gin, 1 oz Triple sec, 1 tsp Lemon Juice, 1/2 tsp Grenadine, 1 Egg White

What glass do you use for a Boxcar?

A Boxcar is traditionally served in a Whiskey sour glass.

How strong is a Boxcar?

A Boxcar has an estimated ABV of 20.80%.

How many calories are in a Boxcar?

A Boxcar contains approximately 211 calories per serving.

Boxcar

Glass Whiskey sour glass

Difficulty Medium

Calories ~211 kcal

ABV 20.80%

Ingredients

Gin 1 1/2 oz
Triple sec 1 oz
Lemon Juice 1 tsp
Grenadine 1/2 tsp
Egg White 1

Instructions

In a shaker half-filled with ice cubes, combine all of the ingredients. Shake well. Strain into a sour glass.

Citrus Sour

Boxcar is a sour-style cocktail that combines gin with triple sec, lemon juice, a hint of grenadine, and egg white, shaken to create a frothy, silky texture that balances the gin's botanical character with citrus tartness and a whisper of sweetness. At 20.8% ABV, it is a spirit-forward yet approachable drink in the gin sour tradition. The egg white provides the characteristic creamy foam of the sour family.

History & Origins

Boxcar is a classic American cocktail from the early 20th century bar tradition, its name evoking the freight cars of the railroad era that was central to American commerce and culture at the time. Its origin is disputed, though it belongs to the extensive family of gin sours that proliferated in the pre-Prohibition era. The combination of gin, triple sec, and lemon juice reflects the French Sidecar family adapted to American tastes.

Tasting Notes

Aroma: Gin botanicals and bright lemon zest with the orange sweetness of triple sec and a faint pomegranate note from the grenadine. Palate: Spirit-forward gin flavor with the citrus tartness of lemon and the sweetness of triple sec and grenadine in balance; egg white creates a silky texture. Finish: Medium and clean, with a botanical and citrus fade.

botanical citrusy tart frothy smooth

Pro Tip

Dry shake the egg white vigorously before adding ice for maximum foam, and strain into a well-chilled sour glass.

Data verified September 2017

Nutrition Facts →

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