Alcohol Substitutes

“They ask you (O Muhammad) concerning alcoholic drink and gambling. Say: In them is a great sin, and (some) benefits for men, but the sin of them is greater than their benefit” [al-Baqarah 2:219] 

How many times have we been reading a recipe, one that looks absolutely gorgeous, only to realise that the recipe calls for some sort of alcoholic addition. A dash of this, a litre of that! As alcohol is not an option in the Islamic household we have to substitute for that which is better.

Below is a general list of alcohol substitutes that you can use in your cooking. The substitute you use depends on the general flavour you are trying to achieve. If you are a novice cook, why don't you experiment and see which flavours you prefer in which dishes.

Amaretto

Substitute - General
Non-alcoholic almond extract;

Substitute - Measured
For: 2 tablespoons amaretto or other almond-flavored liqueur, substitute: 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon almond extract

Applejack or apple brandy

Substitute - General
Unsweetened apple juice concentrate; apple juice; apple cider; or apple butter.

Apricot brandy

Substitute - General
Syrup from canned apricots in heavy syrup; or apricot preserves.

Beer or Ale

Substitute - General
Chicken broth, white grape juice, or ginger ale

Bourbon

Substitute - General
Non-alcoholic vanilla extract. Champagne and other sparkling wines: Sparkling apple cider; sparkling cranberry juice; or sparkling grape juice.

Substitute - Measured
For 2 tablespoons bourbon, substitute the following: 1 to 2 teaspoons vanilla extract

Brandy

Substitute - General .
Raspberry extract, brandy extract

Substitute - Measured
2 tablespoons brandy, substitute the following: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon brandy extract OR 2 tablespoons water, white grape juice or apple juice

Champagne

Substitute - General
Ginger Ale or Soda water and Champagne extract

Cherry liqueur or brandy (Kirschwasser)

Substitute - General
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

Substitute - General
Espresso; non-alcoholic coffee extract; or coffee syrup.

Substitute - Measured
2 tablespoons Kahlua or other coffee or chocolate- flavored liqueur, substitute the following: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon chocolate extract plus 1/2 to 1 teaspoon instant coffee granules dissolved in 2 tablespoons hot water.

Cointreau

Substitute - General
Orange juice, or frozen orange juice concentrate.

Creme de Cacao

Substitute - General
Powdered white chocolate mixed with water; non-alcoholic vanilla extract and powdered sugar.

Creme de Cassis

Substitute - General
Black currant Italian soda syrup; or black currant jam.

Creme de Menthe

Substitute - General
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

Substitute - General
White grape juice mixed with lemon juice, water, and a pinch of powdered sugar.

Kahlua

Substitute - General
Chocolate extract, 1 teaspoon per 2 tablespoon of Kahlua. Or 1 teaspoon instant express powder per 2 tablespoon of Kahlua

Kirsch (Cherry)

Substitute - General
Syrup or juice from black cherries, raspberries, boysenberries, currants, grapes or cherry cider.

Licorice or anise flavored liqueur

Substitute - General
Anise Italian soda syrup; or fennel.

Mirin

Substitute - General
White grape juice mixed with lemon juice or zest.

Muscat

Substitute - General
White grape juice mixed with water and powdered sugar

Orange liqueur (Grand Marnier) or brandy

Substitute - General
Unsweetened orange juice concentrate; orange zest; orange juice; or marmalade.

Substitute - Measured
for 2 tablespoons Grand Marnier or other orange- flavored liqueur, substitute the following: 2 tablespoons orange juice and 1/2 teaspoon orange extract or 2 tablespoons unsweetened orange juice concentrate.

Peach brandy

Substitute - General
Syrup from canned peaches in heavy syrup; or peach preserves

Peppermint Schnapps

Substitute - General
Mint Italian soda syrup; non-alcoholic mint extract; or mint leaves

Port

Substitute - GeneralConcord grape juice mixed with lime zest; or cranberry juice mixed with lemon juice

Riesling

Substitute - GeneralWhite grape juice mixed with water and a pinch of powdered sugar.

Rum

Substitute - GeneralNon-alcoholic vanilla or rum extract. OR Pineapple juice or syrup flavored with almond extract.

Substitute - Measured

for 2 tbsp rum , substitute the following: 1/2 to 1 teaspoon rum extract OR 2 tablespoons water, white grape juice or apple juice.

Sherry

Substitute - GeneralApple cider; non-alcoholic vanilla extract; coffee; or coffee syrup.

Substitute - Measured

2 tablespoons sherry, substitute the following: 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 + 1 tablespoon sugar + 1/4 water OR1 tablespoon vinegar, plus chicken stock or water to make 1/2 cup.

Vermouth

Substitute - GeneralApple cider; or apple juice mixed with lemon juice and water.

Substitute - General

Water; apple cider or white grape juice mixed with lime juice.

Wine, Red

Substitute - General

Note: add water, white grape juice, apple juice, or broth, if necessary, to get the specified amount of liquid called for in the recipe.

orGrape juice; vegetable stock; cranberry juice: tomato juice; or concord grape jelly.

Substitute - Measured

1/4 cup or more red wine, substitute the following: equal measure of red grape juice, cranberry juice, apple cider, chicken broth, clam juice, flavored vinegar, or nonalcoholic wine. If you use nonalcoholic wine, add a tablespoon of vinegar to cut the sweetness

Wine - White

Substitute - GeneralWhite grape juice; apple cider; apple juice; vegetable stock; or water, ver jus

Substitute - Measured

1/4 cup or more white wine, substitute the following: 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

Substitute - GeneralWater, chicken broth, bullion or consommé, ginger ale, white grape juice, diluted cider vinegar or white wine vinegar, liquid from canned mushrooms.

Wine, Heavy

Substitute - GeneralFor 1/4 cup or more port, sweet sherry, rum, brandy, liqueur, substitute the following: equal measure of unsweetened orange juice or apple juice plus 1 teaspoon of corresponding flavored extract or vanilla extract.

For a printable version please click here Part 1 part 2