Substitutions for Liquor and Liqueur
Amaretto
almond extract; orgeat Italian soda syrup; or marzipan
for 2 tablespoons amaretto or other almond-flavored liqueur, substitute: 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon almond extract
Applejack or Apple Brandy
unsweetened apple juice concentrate; apple juice; apple cider; or apple butter.
Apricot Brandy
syrup from canned apricots in heavy syrup; or apricot preserves.
Beer or Ale
Substitute - General Chicken broth, white grape juice, or ginger ale
Bourbon
vanilla extract. Champagne and other sparkling wines: Sparkling apple cider; sparkling cranberry juice; or sparkling grape juice.
for 2 tablespoons bourbon, substitute: 1 to 2 teaspoons vanilla extract
Brandy
raspberry extract, brandy extract
for 2 tablespoons brandy: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon brandy extract or 2 tablespoons water, white grape juice or apple juice
Champagne
ginger ale or soda water and Champagne extract
Cherry Liqueur or Brandy (Kirschwasser)
syrup from canned cherries in heavy syrup; Italian soda cherry syrup; or cherry preserves. (not suitable for fondue)
Cognac
Substitute - General Juice from peaches, apricots or pears.
Coffee liqueur or Brandy
espresso; non-alcoholic coffee extract; or coffee syrup
for 2 tablespoons Kahlua or other coffee or chocolate- flavored liqueur, substitute: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon chocolate extract plus 1/2 to 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules dissolved in 2 tablespoons hot water.
Cointreau
orange juice, or frozen orange juice concentrate
Creme de Cacao
powdered white chocolate mixed with water; non-alcoholic vanilla extract and powdered sugar
Creme de Cassis
black currant Italian soda syrup; or black currant jam
Creme de Menthe
mint Italian soda syrup; or non-alcoholic mint extract; or spearmint extract or oil of spearmint diluted with a little water or grapefruit juice
Gewurztraminer
white grape juice mixed with lemon juice, water, and a pinch of confectioners' sugar
Kahlua
chocolate extract, 1 teaspoon per 2 tablespoons of Kahlua. Or 1 teaspoon instant express powder per 2 tablespoons of Kahlua
Kirsch (Cherry)
syrup or juice from black cherries, raspberries, boysenberries, currants, grapes or cherry cider
Licorice or Anise Flavored Liqueur
anise Italian soda syrup; or fennel
Mirin
white grape juice mixed with lemon juice or zest
Muscat
white grape juice mixed with water and confectioners' sugar
Orange Liqueur (Grand Marnier) or Brandy
unsweetened orange juice concentrate; orange zest; orange juice; or marmalade
for 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or other orange- flavored liqueur, substitute: 2 tablespoons orange juice and 1/2 teaspoon orange extract or 2 tablespoons unsweetened orange juice concentrate.
Peach Brandy
syrup from canned peaches in heavy syrup; or peach preserves
Peppermint Schnapps
Mint Italian soda syrup; non-alcoholic mint extract; or mint leaves
Port
Concord grape juice mixed with lime zest; or cranberry juice mixed with lemon juice
Riesling
white grape juice mixed with water and a pinch of confectioners' sugar
Rum
vanilla or rum extract. OR Pineapple juice or syrup flavored with almond extract
for 2 tablespoons rum, substitute: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon rum extract or 2 tablespoons water, white grape juice or apple juice.
Sherry
apple cider; non-alcoholic vanilla extract; coffee; or coffee syrup
for 2 tablespoons sherry, substitute: 1 to 2 teaspoons vanilla extract or 2 tablespoons orange or pineapple juice
To substitute sherry in a marinade: for 1/2 cup sherry use 1/4 cup vinegar plus 1 tablespoon sugar plus 1/4 water OR 1 tablespoon vinegar, plus chicken stock or water to make 1/2 cup.
Vermouth
apple cider; or apple juice mixed with lemon juice and water
Vodka
water; apple cider or white grape juice mixed with lime juice.
Wine, Red
Add water, white grape juice, apple juice, or broth, if necessary, to get the specified amount of liquid called for in the recipe; or grape juice; vegetable stock; cranberry juice; tomato juice; or concord grape jelly.
for 1/4 cup or more red wine, substitute: equal measure of red grape juice, cranberry juice, apple cider, chicken broth, clam juice, flavored vinegar, or nonalcoholic wine. If using nonalcoholic wine, add a tablespoon of vinegar to cut the sweetness.
Wine, White
white grape juice; apple cider; apple juice; vegetable stock; or water
for 1/4 cup or more white wine, substitute: equal measure of white grape juice, chicken broth, vegetable broth, clam juice or nonalcoholic wine. If you use a nonalcoholic wine, add a tablespoon of vinegar to cut the sweetness
Wine, White, Dry
water, chicken broth, bullion or consommé, ginger ale, white grape juice, diluted cider vinegar or white wine vinegar, liquid from canned mushrooms
Wine, Heavy
for 1/4 cup or more port, sweet sherry, rum, brandy, liqueur, substitute: equal measure of unsweetened orange juice or apple juice plus 1 teaspoon of corresponding flavored extract or vanilla extract
Notes
Photo credit: (c) Can Stock Photo / Monticello