Alcohol Substitution Guide

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What to use in place of alcohol in recipes.

Sometimes alcohol is called for in recipes to enhance the overall flavor of a dish. If you prefer to cook without alcohol, it can be omitted from a recipe or replaced with a nonalcoholic alternative. Keep in mind that the overall flavor of the dish will not be exactly the same, but the substitutions will give you an approximation of the flavor. Here are some general recommendations for nonalcoholic substitutes.

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Beer

Nonalcoholic beer, chicken broth, apple cider or beef broth

Bourbon

1 teaspoon vanilla extract in place of each tablespoon of bourbon

Brandy

Apple juice concentrate, white grape juice or pear juice

Champagne

Ginger ale, sparkling cider, cranberry juice or white grape juice

Cognac

Apricot, pear or peach juice

Cointreau

Orange juice concentrate

Crème de cassis

Black currant Italian soda syrup or black currant jam

Frangelico

Hazelnut or almond extract

Grand Marnier or other orange-flavored liqueur

Unsweetened orange juice concentrate

Marsala

White grape juice

Port

Concord grape juice with a pinch of lime zest; cranberry juice with a dash of lemon juice; or Concord grape juice concentrate

Rum

1/2 teaspoon rum extract plus enough water to make 1 tablespoon in place of each tablespoon of rum

Sherry

Unsweetened apple, orange or pineapple juice plus 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Vermouth, dry

White grape juice or white-wine vinegar

Vermouth, sweet

Apple juice, grape juice or balsamic vinegar

Wine, white

White grape juice, apple juice or chicken broth

Wine, red

Concord grape juice, cranberry juice or beef broth