What is a Non-Alcoholic Substitute for Bourbon? (2024)

Bourbon is a classic spirit, cherished by many for its strong notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak. Primarily made from corn, this sweet and smoky liquor is used in co*cktails like Old Fashioned and Manhattan. Bourbon is also added to recipes like pecan pie, chicken wings, and chili.

As delicious as bourbon is, it also contains high amounts of alcohol. If you’re looking to reduce alcohol consumption, but love bourbon’s flavor, you probably are curious if there are any non-alcoholic substitutes available.

Vanilla extract and apple cider vinegar have often been used to mimic the taste of bourbon in recipes, but you can clearly tell when they are used as substitutes. Luckily, there are now more sophisticated alternatives. Today you can find non-alcoholic versions of your favorite spirits, like bourbon. Brands like Spiritless are making waves by producing distilled non-alcoholic bourbon with that authentic oak-flavor profile.

What is a Non-Alcoholic Substitute for Bourbon? (2024)

FAQs

What tastes like bourbon but is non-alcoholic? ›

If you're looking for a more authentic bourbon substitute, Kentucky 74 non-alcoholic bourbon is as close to the real deal as you can get.

What can you use in place of bourbon? ›

Rum, namely the dark and spiced varieties, are a good bourbon substitute as they both contain similar notes of spice and sweetness. Additionally, both rum and bourbon are aged in wooden barrels, so the oaky notes are present in both spirits.

Can you get non-alcoholic bourbon? ›

Distilled Non-Alcoholic Bourbon

Our Kentucky 74 is a beautifully distilled non-alcoholic spirit for bourbon co*cktails. Kentucky 74 is crafted using our proprietary reverse distillation process. Kentucky 74 was named Best Non-Alcoholic Spirit and won a gold medal in the second annual L.A. Spirits Awards.

What is the best non-alcoholic spirit for an old fashioned? ›

Clean W is perfect in an Old Fashioned thanks to its characteristic notes of oak and sweet vanilla. The impact builds gently, with rich spice, fresh apple and figs on the taste giving way to a smooth long mouth coating finish. Perfect pour: Mix 50ml Clean W with 150ml co*ke over ice for a classic bourbon and co*ke taste.

What non-alcoholic drink tastes like whisky? ›

Lyre's, Gnista, and Ritual weren't nearly as good as our two favorite picks, though depending on your tastes, you may prefer them. For instance, if you like floral flavoring, Ritual Whiskey Alternative is a good choice.

What do actors drink instead of bourbon? ›

What do actors drink instead of whiskey? Iced tea.

Is there a non-alcoholic whiskey? ›

Ritual Zero Proof Whiskey Alternative

Ritual makes a pleasantly unique, though undeniably peanutty, Old-Fashioned, as well as an appropriately medicinal hot toddy.

What can replace whiskey in a recipe? ›

Next time you encounter a recipe with a boozy ingredient on the list, opt for a non-alcoholic spirit in place of vodka, cognac, or whiskey. Or you can try pickling liquid, fruit juice, purée, or a vanilla substitute instead.

How much vanilla can I substitute for bourbon? ›

The taste won't be identical to vanilla when the alcohol evaporates. Instead, it will be more caramel-like. But even with the slight difference in taste, the two are so similar that they substitute at an even one to one ratio.

Is bourbon harder on your liver than beer? ›

Myth 3: Drinking hard liquor is worse than drinking beer or wine. Contrary to popular belief, the type of alcohol you drink doesn't make a difference – what matters is how much you drink. "The safe limit is fixed at 14 units a week," explains Dr Lui. "Below this limit, alcoholic fatty liver is less likely to occur.

How is non-alcoholic bourbon made? ›

Once the alcohol and flavouring have been distilled together the mixture is distilled again to remove the alcohol from the mixture. Alcohol evaporates at a lower temperature than water, so distilling allows you to separate the alcohol by heating the mixture and letting the alcohol evaporate off.

What is a non-alcoholic substitute for alcohol? ›

Alternatives to drinking alcohol include nonalcoholic beer or wine, mocktails, and kombucha. Experts associate alcohol with a range of health consequences. These include injuries and alcohol poisoning in the short term and liver issues, heart disease, cancer, and mental health issues in the long term.

Does Jack Daniel's have non-alcoholic? ›

Daily Mail - A new kind of morning buzz: Jack Daniel's offers a non-alcoholic whiskey-flavored coffee line. Jack Daniel's is looking to be a staple on your night out as well as during your hangover cure routine.

Are there non-alcoholic bitters? ›

Non-alcoholic bitters are primarily used as a flavoring agent in co*cktails. They add complexity and depth to drinks, enhancing their overall taste. Bitters can also be used to stimulate the appetite and aid in digestion when consumed in small quantities.

What is a whiskey but not bourbon? ›

All Bourbon Is Whiskey, But Not All Whiskey Is Bourbon

From bourbons to Tennessee Whiskeys, Scotch, Irish and Canadian whiskeys, and of course 'whisky.

What liquor is most like bourbon? ›

Tennessee Whiskey

This spirit is pretty much the same thing as bourbon as they both use a 51% corn mash in their production.

What is in bourbon besides alcohol? ›

For a whiskey to be considered Bourbon, its mash – the mixture of grains from which the product is distilled – must contain at least 51% corn. The rest of the mash is usually filled out with rye or wheat, and malted barley.

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