Swap it
What to use instead
156 substitutions across 83 ingredients, each saying what actually changes in the glass — not just what is roughly similar.
Most substitution advice stops at “you can use X instead”, which is the least useful half of the answer. What matters is what moves: whether the drink gets sweeter, sharper, weaker or simply becomes a different drink with its own name, and what to change to compensate.
Every swap below was written against a specific recipe, and that recipe is named — a substitution that works in a Daiquiri does not automatically work in a Martini, and pretending otherwise is how bad advice spreads.
Sometimes the honest answer is no
9 of these have at least one recipe where nothing replaces them: Sweet Vermouth, Dry Vermouth, Maraschino Liqueur, Absinthe, Crème de Cacao, Mezcal. Those are noted below rather than papered over with the nearest thing on the shelf.
Instead of Lime Juice
55 recipes · acidGives a slightly less floral, more straightforwardly tart citrus edge.
Written for the Jack Rose.
Recorded on the Lime Juice entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Mojito.
Do not reach for
- Lime Cordial: Lime cordial is sweetened and far more concentrated than fresh lime juice — swapping it in one-to-one makes a drink noticeably sweeter and less sharp, and other ingredients usually need rebalancing.
Instead of Lemon Juice
42 recipes · acidRecorded on the Lemon Juice entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Whiskey Sour.
Instead of Simple Syrup
39 recipes · sweetener- Honey SyrupMakes a different drink
Adds a floral depth in place of simple syrup's neutral sweetness.
Written for the Daiquiri.
- Raspberry SyrupMakes a different drink
Adds a light berry sweetness and a faint pink tint, pulling the drink toward the modern brandy-Cosmopolitan drinks that also sometimes borrow this name.
Written for the Metropolitan.
Instead of Soda Water
32 recipes · lengthener, modifier- Ginger AleMakes a different drink
Adds a warmer, spiced sweetness in place of plain soda's neutral fizz.
Written for the Virgin Mojito.
- Tonic WaterMakes a different drink
Adds bitterness and sweetness from the tonic, pulling the drink toward a bittersweet gin-and-tonic-adjacent profile.
Written for the Alcohol-Free Spritz.
Instead of Gin
27 recipes · base spirit, modifierReplacing gin with bourbon produces a Boulevardier — warmer and rounder than the herbal Negroni.
Written for the Negroni.
Produces the 'Final Ward' — a spicier, drier riff that trades gin's botanicals for rye's pepper.
Written for the Last Word.
Produces a Vodka Martini — smoother and less botanical, letting the vermouth show through more.
Quantity: Use the same amount
Written for the Martini.
- CognacMakes a different drink
Cognac gives a rounder, fruitier drink and is considered by some the older, original version of the recipe.
Quantity: Use the same amount
Written for the French 75.
- White RumMakes a different drink
Moves the drink closer to a shaken, soda-free mojito, with a rounder, sweeter spirit base.
Written for the Southside.
Instead of Orange Juice
27 recipes · lengthener, modifier, acid, base spirit- Grapefruit JuiceMakes a different drink
Produces a drier, more bitter drink sometimes called a Poinsettia when made with cranberry, or a Grapefruit Mimosa here.
Written for the Mimosa.
- Lemon JuiceMakes a different drink
Removes the orange's fruity body and turns this into something much closer to a classic Amaretto Sour.
Quantity: Use the same amount of extra lemon juice, plus 5–10ml simple syrup to balance
Written for the Amaretto Stone Sour.
Recorded on the Orange Juice entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Mimosa.
Instead of Angostura Bitters
23 recipes · bittering agent, aromatic- Orange bittersClose swap
Orange bitters make a brighter, more citrus-led Martinez and are what several older recipes specify. Angostura gives more baking spice and depth.
Quantity: Use the same two dashes
Written for the Martinez.
Peychaud's brings a lighter, more floral, anise-tinged bitterness in place of Angostura's heavier baking-spice character.
Written for the Rob Roy.
Instead of Vodka
22 recipes · base spirit, modifierMakes a Virgin Mary — all the savoury spice, none of the alcohol.
Written for the Bloody Mary.
Produces a Godfather — a smokier, more assertive result. See the Godfather recipe.
Quantity: Use the same amount
Written for the Godmother.
- Citron VodkaClose swap
Adds a citrus edge that leans into the drink's existing tartness.
Written for the Sea Breeze.
Produces a Bloody Maria — a slightly earthier, more agave-forward version of the same drink.
Written for the Bloody Mary.
- GinMakes a different drink
Gin adds botanical notes that pair well with the ginger spice, moving it closer to a Gin-Gin Mule.
Quantity: Use the same amount
Written for the Moscow Mule.
Instead of Dark Rum
18 recipes · base spirit, modifierRemoves the alcohol entirely and turns this back into a straightforward Vietnamese iced coffee.
Written for the Vietnamese Coffee Cocktail.
Bourbon's vanilla and caramel notes pair just as well with the condensed milk, giving a slightly drier finish than rum.
Written for the Vietnamese Coffee Cocktail.
Recorded on the Dark Rum entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Dark 'n' Stormy.
Lighter and less intense than dark rum, giving a milder, less molasses-forward drink.
Written for the Dark 'n' Stormy.
Instead of Pineapple Juice
17 recipes · lengthener, modifier, base spirit- Orange JuiceMakes a different drink
Trades tropical sweetness for a milder, more citrus-forward profile, moving it closer to a Tequila Sunrise.
Written for the Matador.
- Peach PuréeMakes a different drink
Rounder and less acidic, shifting the drink toward a peach-coconut colada.
Written for the Virgin Piña Colada.
Instead of Grenadine
16 recipes · sweetener, modifier, colour component- Raspberry SyrupMakes a different drink
Less tart and more overtly berry-sweet than pomegranate-based grenadine.
Written for the Tequila Sunrise.
Instead of Cognac
15 recipes · base spirit, modifier- Gold RumClose swap
Using gold rum instead of brandy keeps the drink entirely rum-based, with a slightly sweeter, less fruity backbone.
Written for the Scorpion Bowl.
- BourbonMakes a different drink
Produces a sweeter, oakier drink in place of Cognac's fruitier, more delicate profile — closer to a whiskey crusta.
Written for the Brandy Crusta.
- Dark RumMakes a different drink
Brings a heavier, molasses-forward warmth that leans the drink toward a dessert daiquiri-style profile.
Written for the Brandy Alexander.
- Rye WhiskyMakes a different drink
Produces a spicier, less fruity drink closer to a whisky sour with orange liqueur.
Written for the Sidecar.
Instead of Sweet Vermouth
15 recipes · modifier, base spirit- Alcohol-Free AperitifMakes a different drink
Produces a genuinely enjoyable alcohol-free spritz, though the exact herbal profile depends on the brand used.
Quantity: Use the same amount
Written for the Vermouth Spritz.
- Dry VermouthMakes a different drink
Dry vermouth strips out the sweetness, making the drink noticeably more austere.
Quantity: Use half sweet, half dry for a 'Perfect Manhattan', or all dry for a fully dry version
Written for the Manhattan.
Where nothing works: Both vermouths together are the whole idea — this is the only drink here that uses them that way, and taking either out gives you a different, lesser cocktail. Without the sweet you have a dry, thin gin-and-orange; without the dry you have something closer to a fruity Martinez. Buy small bottles of both and keep them in the fridge.
Instead of White Rum
14 recipes · base spirit, modifierProduces a Virgin Mojito — the mint and lime carry the drink, with less body and warmth.
Written for the Mojito.
- Gold RumClose swap
Gold rum adds light caramel notes; cachaça makes it closer to a caipirinha-mojito hybrid.
Quantity: Use the same amount
Written for the Mojito.
Recorded on the White Rum entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Mojito.
Instead of Sparkling Wine
13 recipes · lengthener, base spirit, modifierAdding gin instead of sparkling wine turns this back into a classic Negroni — stronger, drier and without the fizz.
Quantity: Use the same amount
Written for the Negroni Sbagliato.
Replacing the sparkling wine with a still dry white wine produces the original, non-royale Kir.
Quantity: Use the same amount, ideally a crisp, dry white
Written for the Kir Royale.
- Alcohol-Free Sparkling WineMakes a different drink
Using an alcohol-free sparkling wine and alcohol-free aperitif produces a much lighter, low-alcohol version.
Written for the Aperol Spritz.
- CiderMakes a different drink
Produces a Black Velveteen — lighter and fruitier than the classic, with less dry backbone.
Written for the Black Velvet.
- Soda WaterMakes a different drink
Soda water keeps the lift and loses the wine's body and faint sweetness. The result is closer to a shaken Mojito — a decent drink, but the sparkling wine is a third of what makes this one distinctive.
Quantity: Use the same volume
Written for the Old Cuban.
Instead of Triple Sec
11 recipes · sweetener, modifier- Orange CuraçaoClose swap
Orange curaçao is slightly richer and less sharply orange than triple sec.
Written for the Margarita.
Instead of Gold Rum
10 recipes · base spirit, modifier- Dark RumClose swap
Adds deeper molasses and caramel notes for a heavier, more autumnal punch.
Written for the Rum Punch.
Blending white and dark rum approximates aged rum's balance of lightness and depth reasonably well.
Quantity: Use half white rum and half dark rum if gold rum isn't available
Written for the Mai Tai.
Instead of Tequila Blanco
10 recipes · base spirit, modifierReverts the drink to a standard Bloody Mary — cleaner and more neutral, without the agave character.
Written for the Bloody Maria.
- MezcalMakes a different drink
Swapping in mezcal adds a smoky edge and turns this into a Mezcal Margarita.
Quantity: Use the same amount
Written for the Margarita.
- White RumMakes a different drink
Produces a softer, more purely tropical drink, closer to a Daiquiri variant, without tequila's peppery bite.
Written for the Matador.
Instead of Bourbon
9 recipes · base spirit- Rye WhiskyClose swap
Rye brings a spicier, drier profile than bourbon's caramel sweetness.
Written for the Old Fashioned.
- CognacMakes a different drink
Produces a fruitier, softer drink — closer to a brandy Old Fashioned.
Written for the Old Fashioned.
Instead of Campari
9 recipes · bittering agent, modifier, base spiritInstead of Honey Syrup
9 recipes · sweetener- Agave SyrupClose swap
Both work; both lose honey's slight bitterness and floral length, which is a real loss in a drink this simple.
Written for the Alcohol-Free Hot Toddy.
- FalernumClose swap
Falernum adds ginger and clove spice on top of the sweetness, pushing the drink further into classic tiki territory.
Quantity: Use the same amount
Written for the Navy Grog.
Cleaner and less floral; loses honey's depth but is easier to dissolve.
Written for the Hot Toddy.
Instead of Blended Scotch
8 recipes · base spirit- BourbonClose swap
Swaps Scotch's dry, malty edge for bourbon's rounder caramel sweetness.
Written for the Hot Toddy.
- Irish WhiskeyClose swap
Gives a smoother, lighter highball with less smoke and a touch more sweetness.
Written for the Whisky Highball.
Instead of Cream
8 recipes · dairy or cream- Coconut CreamMakes a different drink
Adds a tropical, slightly sweeter richness and works well for a dairy-free version.
Written for the White Russian.
Do not reach for
- Coconut Cream: Coconut cream adds a strong coconut flavour of its own and is much thicker than dairy cream — it doesn't behave as a neutral substitute and can also split more easily under acid or heat.
Instead of Alcohol-Free Spirit
7 recipes · base spirit, modifierTurns this back into a standard Old Fashioned, with bourbon's caramel sweetness and the warmth of the alcohol.
Quantity: Use the same amount
Written for the Alcohol-Free Old Fashioned.
Turns this back into a standard Bloody Mary — fuller-bodied, with more warmth from the alcohol.
Quantity: Use the same amount
Written for the Bloody Shame.
Recorded on the Alcohol-Free Spirit entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Garden Highball.
- Grapefruit JuiceMakes a different drink
Becomes a bitter-citrus drink closer to an alcohol-free Paloma than a Margarita — genuinely good, but a different drink, and worth naming as such.
Quantity: Use 40ml and drop the orange juice.
Written for the Alcohol-Free Margarita.
Instead of Cranberry Juice
6 recipes · modifier, lengthener, acid, base spiritTrades the cranberry's tartness for a more bitter, citrus-forward edge — a genuinely different but real drink.
Written for the Sex on the Beach.
Instead of Dry Vermouth
6 recipes · modifierRecorded on the Dry Vermouth entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Martini.
Recorded on the Dry Vermouth entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Martini.
Where nothing works: Dry vermouth is doing the work here and nothing replaces it cleanly — it is wine, so it brings acidity and a herbal lift that no spirit or liqueur reproduces. Using less of it gives you a drier Martini; leaving it out gives you cold gin. Replacing part of it with olive brine makes a Dirty Martini, which is a different drink rather than a repair.
Instead of Egg White
6 recipes · foaming agentProduces a very similar foam with a neutral flavour, and makes the drink vegan.
Quantity: Use about 15ml aquafaba (chickpea brine) in place of egg white
Written for the Whiskey Sour.
Instead of Maraschino Liqueur
6 recipes · modifier, aromatic, sweetener- ChambordMakes a different drink
Trades the almond-cherry dryness of maraschino for a jammier, sweeter raspberry note — a noticeably different but pleasant drink.
Written for the Mary Pickford.
- Orange CuraçaoMakes a different drink
Loses the maraschino's distinctive cherry-almond top note, leaving a simpler, more purely orange-and-brandy drink closer to a Sidecar.
Quantity: Increase the orange curaçao by the same amount and omit the maraschino
Written for the Brandy Crusta.
Where nothing works: Maraschino's dry, slightly bitter almond-and-stone-fruit note is doing something nothing else in a normal cupboard does. Leaving it out gives you a competent gin Manhattan, which is a good drink but not this one. Do not reach for cherry brandy or grenadine — both are sweet where this is not.
Instead of Amaretto
5 recipes · modifier, base spirit, sweetenerTrades amaretto's distinctive almond character for a plainer honeyed sweetness — a real change in character, not a like-for-like swap.
Quantity: Use about half the amount, 10ml
Written for the French Connection.
Instead of Ginger Beer
5 recipes · lengthener- Ginger AleMakes a different drink
Ginger ale is milder and sweeter, producing a softer, less spicy drink.
Written for the Moscow Mule.
Do not reach for
- Ginger Ale: Ginger ale is sweeter and much less spicy than ginger beer — it noticeably softens the drink's character rather than truly replacing it.
Instead of Orange Wheel
5 recipes · garnish, aromatic, modifierRecorded on the Orange Wheel entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Alcohol-Free Spritz.
Instead of Absinthe
4 recipes · modifier, aromatic, base spiritNo swap on this site keeps the drink recognisable.
Where nothing works: Absinthe is the drink — there are only two ingredients, and one of them is the point. A milder anise liqueur such as pastis makes a gentler, lower-strength version that is pleasant enough, but it loses the herbal complexity and the louche that give this drink its name. Nothing in a normal cupboard gets close.
Instead of Brown Sugar
4 recipes · sweetener- Simple SyrupClose swap
Dissolves instantly and gives a cleaner sweetness, losing brown sugar's light caramel note.
Written for the Irish Coffee.
Honey adds a floral note in place of brown sugar's deeper molasses character.
Quantity: Use about 15ml honey syrup instead of 2 tsp brown sugar
Written for the Hot Buttered Rum.
Instead of Coconut Cream
4 recipes · dairy or creamProduces a thinner texture and loses most of the coconut character.
Quantity: Add a few drops of coconut extract if available
Written for the Piña Colada.
Cream of coconut is sweeter and more syrupy, giving a richer, more dessert-like result.
Quantity: Reduce the grenadine slightly to compensate for the extra sweetness
Written for the Bahama Mama.
Instead of Coffee Liqueur
4 recipes · modifier, sweetener- AmarettoMakes a different drink
Swaps the coffee bitterness for a nutty, almond sweetness — a different drink, but a good one.
Written for the Espresso Martini.
Instead of Crème de Cacao
4 recipes · modifierRecorded on the Crème de Cacao entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Twentieth Century.
Where nothing works: There's no close substitute for white crème de cacao's specific chocolate-vanilla note; omitting it removes an essential layer rather than approximating it.
Instead of Falernum
4 recipes · modifier, sweetener- Orgeat SyrupMakes a different drink
Loses falernum's citrus-clove spice in favour of a nuttier, more almond-forward sweetness.
Quantity: Use the same amount, plus a pinch of ground ginger and clove if you have it
Written for the Zombie.
Instead of Grapefruit Juice
4 recipes · acid, lengthener, modifier- Grapefruit SodaMakes a different drink
Adds fizz and sweetness in place of the juice's dry bitterness — lighter and less tart.
Written for the Sea Breeze.
- Orange JuiceMakes a different drink
Orange juice makes a much sweeter, less bitter drink, effectively turning it into a salted Screwdriver.
Written for the Salty Dog.
Do not reach for
- Grapefruit Soda: Grapefruit soda is heavily sweetened and carbonated compared to fresh juice — it adds unwanted sweetness and fizz rather than standing in as a clean, tart substitute.
Instead of Hot Water
4 recipes · lengthenerTea adds tannin and a faint astringency that stands in surprisingly well for the whisky's grip — arguably the best single upgrade to this recipe.
Quantity: Same volume, brewed hot and weak.
Written for the Alcohol-Free Hot Toddy.
- Hot CoffeeMakes a different drink
Swapping in hot coffee for the water or milk adds a roasted bitterness that plays well against the rich, sweet batter.
Written for the Tom and Jerry.
Instead of Orange Curaçao
4 recipes · modifier- Triple SecClose swap
A cleaner, slightly less rich orange note than curaçao, but very close in character.
Written for the El Presidente.
Instead of Orgeat Syrup
4 recipes · sweetener- FalernumMakes a different drink
Falernum swaps the almond sweetness for a spiced, gingery lime character — a noticeably different but still balanced tiki profile.
Written for the Scorpion Bowl.
Loses some of orgeat's distinctive nutty depth but keeps a similar sweetness level.
Quantity: Add a few drops of almond extract if available
Written for the Mai Tai.
- Simple SyrupMakes a different drink
Loses the almond character entirely, which is the drink's signature — workable, but it stops being a Mai Tai in any meaningful sense.
Quantity: Same volume, plus a couple of drops of orange flower water if you have it.
Written for the Virgin Mai Tai.
Instead of Rye Whisky
4 recipes · base spiritInstead of Sugar Cube
4 recipes · sweetenerDissolves more easily than granulated sugar and adds a floral note, though it changes the texture slightly.
Written for the Caipirinha.
Recorded on the Sugar Cube entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Old Fashioned.
Instead of Tomato Juice
4 recipes · lengthener, modifierInstead of Worcestershire Sauce
4 recipes · aromatic, modifierA saltier, more one-note umami than Worcestershire's layered tang, but a reasonable pinch-hitter.
Written for the Bloody Shame.
Instead of Agave Syrup
3 recipes · sweetenerRecorded on the Agave Syrup entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Tommy's Margarita.
Loses agave's faint mineral, vegetal edge in favour of a cleaner, more neutral sweetness.
Written for the Tommy's Margarita.
Instead of Alcohol-Free Sparkling Wine
3 recipes · base spirit, lengthenerRecorded on the Alcohol-Free Sparkling Wine entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Alcohol-Free Mimosa.
Soda keeps the palate-cleansing job the side glass exists for and loses the wine's slight sweetness and body. A reasonable stand-in, and considerably cheaper.
Quantity: Use the same 50ml alongside
Written for the Alcohol-Free Passion Fruit Martini.
Recorded on the Alcohol-Free Sparkling Wine entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Alcohol-Free Mimosa.
Instead of Amaro
3 recipes · modifier, base spirit, bittering agentRecorded on the Amaro entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Paper Plane.
- CampariMakes a different drink
Campari is considerably more bitter and less honeyed than a nutty amaro, giving a sharper, drier drink closer to a bourbon Negroni riff.
Quantity: Reduce to 15ml and add 5ml simple syrup to balance the extra bitterness
Written for the Paper Plane.
Instead of Aperol
3 recipes · bittering agent, modifier- CampariMakes a different drink
Campari is significantly more bitter and less sweet, producing a sharper, more grown-up Spritz.
Quantity: Use the same amount
Written for the Aperol Spritz.
Instead of Cinnamon Stick
3 recipes · aromaticRecorded on the Cinnamon Stick entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Mulled Wine.
Instead of Cola
3 recipes · lengthener, base spiritProduces a Shirley Temple instead — lighter, spicier and less cola-sweet.
Written for the Roy Rogers.
- Iced TeaMakes a different drink
Produces a lighter-bodied, less sweet drink closer to the name's literal suggestion.
Written for the Long Island Iced Tea.
Instead of Cream of Coconut
3 recipes · dairy or cream, texture componentCoconut cream is unsweetened and less syrupy, so the drink needs extra sugar and loses a little of the original's thick body.
Quantity: Add 15ml simple syrup alongside it to compensate for the lost sweetness
Written for the Painkiller.
Do not reach for
- Coconut Cream: Coconut cream is unsweetened and much less thick — substituting it one-to-one leaves a drink noticeably under-sweetened and thinner in body.
Instead of Espresso
3 recipes · modifier, base spiritStrong stovetop or moka pot coffee works if espresso isn't available, though the foam will be slightly thinner.
Written for the Espresso Martini.
Instead of Hot Coffee
3 recipes · lengthener, base spiritRecorded on the Hot Coffee entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Irish Coffee.
Instead of Lager
3 recipes · base spirit- Alcohol-Free SpiritMakes a different drink
Not a direct swap — for an alcohol-free version, replace the lager with a 0.0% lager instead, keeping the same seasoning build.
Written for the Michelada.
Recorded on the Lager entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Michelada.
Do not reach for
- Stout: Stout is dark, heavy, and roasty compared to lager's light crispness — swapping it in changes both the colour and the flavour balance of a drink built around a pale lager.
Instead of Lemonade
3 recipes · lengthener, modifier- Ginger AleMakes a different drink
Ginger ale adds a spicier, warmer edge in place of lemonade's straightforward citrus sweetness.
Quantity: Use the same amount
Written for the Pimm's Cup.
Recorded on the Lemonade entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Pimm's Cup.
Instead of Lillet Blanc
3 recipes · modifierDrier and sharper, losing Lillet Blanc's honeyed, slightly floral character.
Written for the Corpse Reviver No. 2.
Instead of Mezcal
3 recipes · base spirit, modifierRecorded on the Mezcal entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Mezcal Negroni.
Where nothing works: Nothing else provides mezcal's smoke, which is what makes this drink Oaxacan rather than just an agave Old Fashioned. Leaving it out gives you a perfectly decent tequila Old Fashioned. A peaty Islay whisky rinse gets you smoke, but a completely different kind — phenolic rather than earthy — and it clashes with agave.
Instead of Passion Fruit Syrup
3 recipes · sweetener, base spiritAdds a touch more alcohol and a slightly less sweet, more tart passion fruit character.
Quantity: Use about 20ml and add 10ml simple syrup to keep the sweetness level
Written for the Hurricane.
Instead of Sherry
3 recipes · base spirit, modifierA dark rum float in place of sherry adds molasses richness instead of sherry's nutty, slightly oxidised character — a simpler but less distinctive finish.
Written for the Fog Cutter.
- Sweet VermouthMakes a different drink
Sweet vermouth gives a more herbal, less nutty drink and loses sherry's distinctive oxidised character.
Quantity: Use the same amount
Written for the Sherry Cobbler.
Produces a much lighter, purely vermouth-driven drink that loses the Bamboo's nutty sherry backbone entirely.
Quantity: Skip the sherry and use 90ml dry vermouth total
Written for the Bamboo Cocktail.
Instead of Tonic Water
3 recipes · lengthener- Soda WaterMakes a different drink
Drier and less bitter; add a squeeze of lime to keep the drink lively.
Written for the Garden Highball.
Instead of Vanilla syrup
3 recipes · sweetener- Agave SyrupMakes a different drink
Loses the vanilla note but keeps a similar sweetness and mouthfeel.
Written for the Alcohol-Free Espresso Martini.
Loses the rounder vanilla note but keeps the sweetness level similar.
Quantity: Add a drop of vanilla extract if available
Written for the Pornstar Martini.
Instead of White Wine
3 recipes · modifier, base spiritSwapping in a light, chilled red wine (often with a little lemonade instead of soda) makes a version closer to the Spanish tinto de verano.
Quantity: Use the same amount
Written for the Wine Spritzer.
Produces a Kir Royale — lighter, fizzier and a touch more festive than the still original.
Quantity: Use the same amount
Written for the Kir.
Swapping the wine for sweet vermouth essentially turns this into an Americano — richer, sweeter and more herbal.
Quantity: Use about half as much (30ml), since vermouth is fortified and more concentrated
Written for the Bicicletta.
Instead of Alcohol-Free Aperitif
2 recipes · base spirit, modifierReintroduces alcohol and Campari's fuller, more assertive bitterness, turning this back into a standard Negroni.
Quantity: Use the same amount
Written for the Alcohol-Free Negroni.
Recorded on the Alcohol-Free Aperitif entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Alcohol-Free Spritz.
Instead of Apple Brandy
2 recipes · base spirit, modifierInstead of Aquafaba
2 recipes · foaming agent- Egg WhiteClose swap
Egg white gives a slightly richer, denser foam. Aquafaba is used here because it keeps the drink vegan and, unlike egg, is something you already have if you own a tin of chickpeas.
Quantity: Use one egg white in place of the 15ml of aquafaba
Written for the Alcohol-Free Whiskey Sour.
Instead of Bénédictine
2 recipes · modifierAdds simple honeyed sweetness without Bénédictine's complex blend of herbs and spice — a much flatter substitute.
Quantity: Use half the amount, about 4ml
Written for the Vieux Carré.
Instead of Blue Curaçao
2 recipes · colour component- Triple SecClose swap
Loses the signature blue colour but keeps a very similar orange-citrus flavour — effectively a clear version of the same drink.
Written for the Blue Lagoon.
Recorded on the Blue Curaçao entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Blue Lagoon.
Do not reach for
- Orange Curaçao: Orange curaçao tastes similar but lacks the blue colour that most recipes calling for blue curaçao are specifically built around.
Instead of Chambord
2 recipes · sweetener, modifierCrème de cassis gives a tarter, more blackcurrant-forward drink in place of Chambord's jammier raspberry sweetness — essentially turning it into a Kir Royale.
Quantity: Use the same amount
Written for the Chambord Royale.
Less floral and more tart, swapping raspberry sweetness for a sharper blackberry edge.
Written for the French Martini.
Recorded on the Chambord entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the French Martini.
Instead of Cherry Heering
2 recipes · modifierSwaps Cherry Heering's wine-like, spiced cherry depth for a jammier, more straightforwardly sweet blackberry note.
Written for the Blood and Sand.
Where nothing works: Cherry Heering has no close substitute — its dry, spiced cherry flavour is central to what the drink is. If you have to improvise, extra grenadine with a dash of Angostura gets you a cherry note and some spice, but the result is sweeter and flatter and no longer really a Singapore Sling.
Instead of Cold Brew Coffee
2 recipes · modifierEspresso gives a more intense, slightly more bitter coffee hit in a smaller volume.
Quantity: Use 10ml espresso, cooled, instead of 15ml cold brew
Written for the Coffee Old Fashioned.
Recorded on the Cold Brew Coffee entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Coffee Old Fashioned.
Instead of Crème de Cassis
2 recipes · modifierChambord brings a jammier raspberry-blackberry note in place of cassis's more purely blackcurrant tartness, sometimes called a Kir Framboise.
Quantity: Use the same amount
Written for the Kir Royale.
Recorded on the Crème de Cassis entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Kir Royale.
Instead of Crème de Mûre
2 recipes · modifierInstead of Galliano
2 recipes · modifier- AmarettoMakes a different drink
Amaretto swaps Galliano's aniseed-vanilla warmth for a nuttier, almond-forward sweetness — a noticeably different but pleasant drink.
Quantity: Use the same amount
Written for the Golden Cadillac.
Recorded on the Galliano entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Harvey Wallbanger.
Where nothing works: There's no close substitute for Galliano's specific vanilla-anise profile — stirring the drink into a plain Screwdriver is the honest fallback if it's unavailable.
Instead of Ginger Ale
2 recipes · lengthener- Ginger BeerMakes a different drink
Much spicier and sharper, turning this into a closer cousin of a whisky mule than the gentler classic highball.
Written for the Whisky Ginger.
Drier and less sweet; add a touch more grenadine to keep the balance.
Written for the Shirley Temple.
Instead of Ginger Syrup
2 recipes · sweetenerRecorded on the Ginger Syrup entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Penicillin.
Recorded on the Ginger Syrup entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Penicillin.
Instead of Grapefruit Soda
2 recipes · lengthener, base spirit- Grapefruit JuiceClose swap
Produces a less sweet, more DIY version with a cleaner grapefruit flavour.
Quantity: Use roughly equal parts fresh grapefruit juice and soda water in place of the soda
Written for the Paloma.
Instead of Iced Tea
2 recipes · base spirit- Green TeaMakes a different drink
A lighter, more floral base with less tannic bite than black iced tea.
Written for the Arnold Palmer.
Recorded on the Iced Tea entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Alcohol-Free Whiskey Sour.
Where nothing works: Nothing else in a normal kitchen supplies tannin the way strong black tea does, and tannin is the whole reason this drink works. Fruit juice makes it sweeter, not drier. If you have no tea, a small amount of very strong cold coffee gets you bitterness but not astringency, and takes the drink somewhere different.
Instead of Irish Whiskey
2 recipes · base spiritAdds a smokier, drier edge in place of Irish whiskey's smoother, lighter character.
Written for the Irish Coffee.
- Alcohol-Free SpiritMakes a different drink
For an alcohol-free version, simply serve the warm spiced apple cider on its own, or with a whisky-style alcohol-free spirit stirred in.
Written for the Hot Whiskey Cider.
Recorded on the Irish Whiskey entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Irish Coffee.
Instead of Peach Purée
2 recipes · modifier, base spiritSharper, more tropical and much more aromatic; no longer a Bellini but a good drink on the same template.
Quantity: Reduce to 40ml — passion fruit is far more assertive.
Written for the Alcohol-Free Bellini.
- Passion Fruit LiqueurMakes a different drink
Produces a sharper, more tropical drink than the soft, floral original.
Quantity: Use about 15ml, since passion fruit liqueur is more concentrated
Written for the Bellini.
Instead of Peychaud's Bitters
2 recipes · bittering agentAngostura brings heavier baking-spice bitterness in place of Peychaud's lighter, more floral, anise-tinged profile — recognisable but noticeably different.
Written for the Sazerac.
Do not reach for
- Angostura Bitters: Angostura is heavier, spicier, and lacks Peychaud's signature floral, anise-tinged brightness and pink-red hue — a recipe built around Peychaud's will taste and look noticeably different.
Instead of Red Wine
2 recipes · base spirit- Alcohol-Free SpiritMakes a different drink
For an alcohol-free version, use a good de-alcoholised red wine instead — the spicing and method stay exactly the same.
Written for the Mulled Wine.
- White WineMakes a different drink
Produces a Sangria Blanca — lighter, crisper and less tannic than the red original.
Written for the Sangria.
Do not reach for
- White Wine: White wine lacks red wine's tannin, deep colour, and darker fruit character — a recipe built around red wine, like Sangria, will look and taste noticeably different.
Instead of Whole Lime (wedges)
2 recipes · acidRecorded on the Whole Lime (wedges) entry as a workable stand-in. No recipe here writes up the swap in detail, so treat it as a starting point and taste as you go.
Written for the Caipirinha.