What is a Non-Alcoholic Substitute for Bourbon?
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 cocktails 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.
How to Substitute Bourbon in Cooking and Baking
Use Kentucky 74 non-alcoholic bourbon 1:1: if a recipe calls for ¼ cup of bourbon, use ¼ cup of Kentucky 74. You'll get the same caramel, vanilla and oak notes, so the dish tastes like the bourbon version.
Pecan pie and bread pudding: stir it into the filling or the sauce.
BBQ sauce and glazes: use it in bourbon-glazed salmon, ham or chicken wings.
Chili and baked beans: add it with the liquids for a deep, smoky sweetness.
Caramel and whipped cream: stir a splash in after cooking for bourbon flavor with no alcohol.
Do I need to cook it off? No. Regular bourbon is often simmered so the alcohol burns off. Kentucky 74 has less than 0.5% ABV, so you can add it at any stage, even at the end, and nothing gets lost to evaporation.
Can I use vanilla extract instead? Vanilla extract and apple cider vinegar are common stand-ins, but they only cover part of bourbon's flavor, and vanilla extract itself is about 35% alcohol. A distilled non-alcoholic bourbon is the closest match.
What is the closest thing to bourbon?
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. Traditionally distilled in Kentucky, this alcohol-free spirit has all the familiar notes of full-proof bourbon.
Spiritless was founded by three women who noticed a lack of genuine non-alcoholic alternatives. Using their history in entrepreneurship, paired with decades of full-proof liquor experience, Kentucky 74 was born. A non-alcoholic bourbon spirit that does not sacrifice flavor.
Does non-alcoholic bourbon taste the same?
Bourbon is a specific type of American Whiskey that has its own unique and complex flavors. It took a lot of experimenting to get Kentucky 74 to taste the same as its full-proof counterpart.
Kentucky 74 is crafted using a proprietary reverse distillation method. Spiritless developed a way to imitate the barrel aging process seen in traditional spirits. The ethanol is then separated and removed. Lastly, the distiller blends specific totes to create a smooth, balanced spirit, that is alcohol-free.
This authentic distillation process captures the original taste of bourbon while providing you with a no-alcohol substitute. Whether it’s cooking or cocktails, Kentucky 74 can replace bourbon in any recipe. You probably will not even notice a difference!
How much sugar is in non-alcoholic bourbon?
Although corn gives bourbon a sweeter flavor, this type of liquor generally does not have any grams of sugar per serving, unless added later. Non-alcoholic options often have a reputation for being sugary. Thankfully, non-alcoholic bourbon is not packed with sugar.
Kentucky 74 has 1 gram of sugar per two-ounce serving. It also is only 15 calories per serving! Which is over 90% fewer calories than a traditional bourbon. If you’re trying to make a healthier cocktail, non-alcoholic bourbon is a simple substitute for your go-to recipes.
Does alcohol-free bourbon burn?
Another key flavor profile of bourbon is its smoky warmth. Non-alcoholic bourbon does not have the exact same burn as real bourbon. However, there is an easy solution to this. Spiritless has a ginger syrup that can mimic the burn of alcohol.
Horse’s Kick is made with freshly pressed ginger juice and pure cane sugar, giving you a sweetly spiced simple syrup for cocktail recipes. When combined with non-alcoholic bourbon, you can mix up a Whiskey Sour and Old Fashioned that has the familiar warming burn you love.
