Drink Recipe Swaps & Substitutions

Whether you’re out of an ingredient or looking for a non-alcoholic alternative, this guide to drink substitutions makes swapping easy. Find simple substitutions for spirits, mixers and garnishes to keep your cocktails (or mocktails) balanced and delicious. Use this list to mix, match and experiment without missing a beat!

Two martini glasses with olive and lime garnish, surrounded by additional olives and lime slices on a white surface.

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1. Common Drink Substitutions

I hate when I’m all set to mix a cocktail and realize I’m out of a key ingredient. But instead of making a last-minute store run, I love having a few go-to swaps that save the day.

Whether you’re missing a spirit, need a different sweetener, or want a non-alcoholic alternative, there’s almost always a drink substitution to make it work. Having these tricks up your sleeve means you can still shake up something delicious without missing a sip. This guide has all the best drink substitutions so you’ll never have to put the shaker down!

Sweetener substitutes

If your recipe calls for simple syrup, you can easily switch it out for some other ingredients you might already have on hand. If you are out of granulated sugar for simple syrup, know that you can also make simple syrup with brown sugar.

There are lots of other simple syrup substitutes, including:

maple syrup
agave nectar
honey (but honey syrup may work a little better)
flavored syrups
sugar-free syrup

A bunch of green limes on a white background.

Citrus swaps

Many drinks that call for either lemon juice or lime juice can be interchanged. It will taste slightly different, but both are sour enough to be good drink substitutions. Orange juice is sweeter and grapefruit juice is more bitter, but they can be used too.

If you don’t have fresh fruit to juice, you can use bottled concentrate; however, bear in mind that it can be much more sour and cloying than fresh juice, so you may need to use less or supplement some extra mixers or sweeteners to balance your drink.

Mixer substitutes

Sour mix & margarita mix: If your drink calls for sour mix, you can make your own with simple syrup, lemon juice or lime juice. You can also swap in margarita mix, and vice versa.

Bloody Mary mix: If you’re out of Bloody Mary mix, you can use clamato juice. You can also make homemade bloody mix with tomato juice and spices.

Ginger ale & ginger beer: Ginger ale is sweeter than ginger beer, but it works as a stand-in for ginger beer, and vice versa. Ginger beer can be spicier than ginger ale, but it’s fine to use in its place.

Bubbly mixers: If your recipe calls for something bubbly like lemon-lime soda or ginger ale, you can usually interchange them. For something lighter, you can use club soda or sparkling water.

Spirits & alcoholic drink substitutions

If you’re looking to substitute a spirit for another spirit. Of course, every recipe is different, so follow any drink substitution recommendations listed in the recipe you are using.

Vodka: If you need to swap out vodka, tequila, rum, or even gin can work depending on the cocktail. Tequila will add a slight bite and grassy notes, while rum brings a bit more sweetness. Gin is the least neutral of the three but can be a great option if its botanical flavors complement the drink.

Whiskey: Bourbon, rye and Irish whiskey are generally interchangeable since they share similar warm, oaky notes, though rye tends to be spicier. Scotch can also work, but its smoky character might make a drink feel heavier or more intense. If you need a slightly sweeter alternative, brandy can stand in, though it has more fruit-forward notes than whiskey.

Rum: When rum is missing from your bar, vodka or tequila can often take its place. Vodka keeps the drink more neutral, while tequila adds a little more punch and depth. White rum swaps best with vodka, while dark rum pairs better with tequila. If your recipe calls for spiced rum, you can use cinnamon whiskey or dark rum with a dash of vanilla extract or a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg to mimic its warm, aromatic notes.

Tequila: If you’re out of tequila, rum or vodka can stand in depending on the drink. Rum keeps things smooth and slightly sweet, while vodka provides a more neutral base without altering the other flavors. If you have mezcal, it will work as a more smoky substitute.

Gin: While gin has a distinct herbal and botanical profile, vodka can be a good drink substitution when you’re in a pinch. It won’t bring the same complexity, but it keeps the drink clean and crisp, especially in citrus-based cocktails.

Champagne is poured from its bottle into a gold rimmed glass. Gold sequins and lime spirals are around the base of the glass along with a cork and gold cocktail jigger.

Champagne: If you’re out of Champagne, don’t worry — cava, prosecco or any other dry sparkling wine will do the trick. Just aim for a brut (dry) or extra brut variety to keep the flavor crisp and refreshing. Asti can work too, though it’s sweeter and best suited for drinks where a little extra sweetness won’t overpower the balance.

Brandy: Whiskey makes the best substitute for brandy since both have warm, rich flavors with a bit of caramel and spice. Keep in mind that brandy is naturally a bit fruitier, so whiskey will make the drink slightly drier.

Vermouth: Dry and sweet vermouth can sometimes be used interchangeably depending on the cocktail, though dry vermouth is more herbal and crisp, while sweet vermouth is richer with caramel notes. If you’re out of dry vermouth, try a dry white wine with a splash of bitters. For sweet vermouth, a mix of red wine and a touch of simple syrup can work in a pinch.

Apéritifs: When swapping other apéritifs like Campari or Aperol, look for similar bitter or citrus-forward liqueurs — Amaro can stand in for Campari, while a mix of orange liqueur and bitters can substitute for Aperol.

Triple sec and orange liqueur: Grand Marnier or Cointreau can replace triple sec, and vice versa. For a lighter option, you can use a splash of orange juice instead.

Liqueurs: The best swap for a liqueur is one with a similar flavor profile. For example, Amaretto can stand in for hazelnut or almond liqueurs, and coffee liqueurs like Kahlúa and Tia Maria are interchangeable. If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic option, flavored syrups or extracts mixed with a little water can sometimes mimic the taste and sweetness.

Bitters substitutes

While many recipes call for the trio of Angostura bitters, orange bitters or Peychaud’s bitters, you don’t have to use them. Cocktail bitters are very interchangeable and are a great way to add flavor to your drinks. There are tons of companies making cocktail bitters in creative flavors like fig, cardamom and grapefruit.

Bitters do contain alcohol, so be sure to use non-alcoholic bitters for mocktails.

try non-alcoholic bitters

We love adding bitters to drinks to add a little extra depth and flavor complexity. I’ve teamed up with my friends at All the Bitter — who make fantastic non-alcoholic bitters — to bring you an exclusive discount on your purchase. Use code fwbitters for 10% off!

2. How to adapt any cocktail

Want to customize your drink? Here’s how to make any recipe work with drink substitutions for your needs.

Make it non-alcoholic

To turn a cocktail into a mocktail, you have a few options:

Sub the alcohol for a similar-tasting zero-proof spirit. Some drinks don’t lend themselves well to non-alcoholic versions, however, especially ones with specialty liqueurs or that are very spirit-forward without a lot of mixers. (Swap ideas below.)

Omit the alcohol entirely. Sometimes doing this can throw off the balance of the drink, so don’t be afraid to experiment and adjust the other ingredient amounts. See our favorite mocktail formulas and tips for making drinks alcohol-free.

Make it low-ABV

Low-ABV cocktails are drinks with a lower percentage of alcohol by volume (ABV), but they still contain some alcohol. If you don’t mind a little alcohol in your drink, but don’t want it to be as boozy, you have a couple of options:

Use less alcohol. Use half the amount of alcohol the recipe calls for.
Use half alcohol, half zero-proof spirits. Use half the amount the recipe calls for, but replace the other half with a non-alcoholic substitute of a similar flavor. For example, if a recipe calls for 2 ounces tequila, you would use 1 ounce alcoholic tequila and 1 ounce zero-proof tequila. (Swap ideas below.)

several jars of different color simple syrups

Make it sugar-free

If a drink calls for a sweetener, you can substitute a sugar-free option. Refined sugar ingredients in the recipe might include sugar, brown sugar, molasses, powdered sugar, turbinado sugar or corn syrup. Examples of refined sugar free options:

Stevia syrup
Coconut sugar
Honey
Pure maple syrup
Dates or date syrup
Agave nectar
Brown rice syrup

For drinks that use sugary sodas, swap them for a diet version. Lemon-lime soda and ginger ale can be swapped for club soda or tonic water.

You can also use less alcohol to make a drink less sweet. Some people enjoy skinny margaritas made with orange juice instead of triple sec.

Make it gluten-free

Not all liquors are naturally gluten-free. See our guide to gluten-free spirits for specifics, but here’s a quick primer to gluten-free drink substitutions:

Distilled alcohol, like vodka, rum, gin and tequila, typically have gluten removed through the distillation process. Most tequilas, vodkas and rums are made from naturally gluten-free ingredients like agave plant, potatoes and sugarcane, respectively.
Distilled whiskey is considered to be gluten-free, even if made with wheat, barley or rye. In general, most whiskeys are suitable for people with celiac disease because of the distillation process.
Alcohols can contain hidden gluten via flavorings or other additives after distillation, as well as cross-contamination possibilities with facilities that work with non-gluten-free grains.
Gluten-free wines, beers and seltzers are available too.
Always look for gluten-free certification on the label or brand website.

Make it vegan

Understanding which spirits and liqueurs are truly plant-based is key if you are avoiding animal products. Non-vegan ingredients can be added to syrups, spirits and mixers, so always check labels carefully.

However, in the United States, alcohol companies are not required to list all of the ingredients on the label, so it’s best to check the manufacturer’s website or a resource like Barnivore before imbibing. View our vegan drink guide for more, but here’s are a few common vegan drink substitutions:

Dairy ingredients can usually be swapped for a dairy-free milk or nut milk, such as almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk or soy milk. Coconut cream is usually the best swap for heavy cream or half-and-half.
Egg whites can be mixed into drinks to create a frothy foam on top. Instead of egg whites, use an egg substitute such as aquafaba (canned chickpea juice) for truly vegan cocktails.
Honey is a common ingredient. Swap it for a plant-based sweetener such as simple syrup, maple syrup or agave nectar.
Gelatin shows up in jello shots, so be sure to avoid those unless they are made with a vegan gelatin.
Dyes and other additives in spirits can contain animal and insect products

Non-alcoholic drink substitutions

If you need an alcohol-free alternative to the spirits, you’re not out of luck. There are more non-alcoholic spirit options than ever on the shelves. You can also try your hand at making homemade zero-proof spirits.

Whiskey: In lieu of whiskey, you can use a zero-proof substitute. Black tea can also work — I love this bourbon cask black tea. These are some of my favorite non-alcoholic whiskeys:

Cups	Pints	Quarts	Gallons
1 cup	½ pint	¼ quart	1/16 gallon
2 cups	1 pint	½ quart	⅛ gallon
4 cups	2 pints	1 quart	¼ gallon
8 cups	4 pints	2 quarts	½ gallon
16 cups	8 pints	4 quarts	1 gallon

Teaspoons	Tablespoons	Fluid Ounces	Cups	Milliliters
1 tsp	⅓ tbsp	0.17 fl oz	0.02 cup	5 mL
3 tsp	1 tbsp	0.5 fl oz	0.06 cup	15 mL
6 tsp	2 tbsp	1 fl oz	0.12 cup	30 mL
12 tsp	4 tbsp	2 fl oz	¼ cup	60 mL
16 tsp	5⅓ tbsp	2.6 fl oz	⅓ cup	80 mL
24 tsp	8 tbsp	4 fl oz	½ cup	120 mL
36 tsp	12 tbsp	6 fl oz	¾ cup	180 mL
48 tsp	16 tbsp	8 fl oz	1 cup	240 mL

Measurement	Grams
1 ounce	30
¼ pound	120
½ pound	240
¾ pound	360
1 pound	480

Fahrenheit	Celsius
200°F	95°C
250°F	120°C
300°F	150°C
325°F	160°C
350°F	180°C
375°F	190°C
400°F	200°C
425°F	220°C
450°F	230°C
500°F	260°C

1. Common Drink Substitutions

Sweetener substitutes

Citrus swaps

Mixer substitutes

Spirits & alcoholic drink substitutions

Further reading

Bitters substitutes

try non-alcoholic bitters

2. How to adapt any cocktail

Make it non-alcoholic

Make it low-ABV

Make it sugar-free

Make it gluten-free

Make it vegan

Non-alcoholic drink substitutions

zero-proof whiskeys

zero-proof gin alternatives

zero-proof rums

zero-proof tequilas

zero-proof apéritifs

zero-proof liqueurs

Imperial / Metric conversions

By volume

By weight

By temperature

Other equivalents

Top Cocktails

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The Golden Ratio Guide:

Spirits

Classic Cocktails