🍸 Cocktail Substitution Guide

"I don't have X — what can I use?" Search 50+ cocktail ingredients for substitutions, with notes on how flavour will differ.

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⚠️ Emergency Substitutions — 10 Most Common Missing Ingredients

Triple Sec / Cointreau

Use 2 tsp orange juice + pinch of sugar per 30ml. Or Grand Marnier (richer). Or skip and adjust sweetness.

Simple Syrup

Dissolve 2 tsp white sugar in 2 tsp hot water. Let cool. 1:1 ratio. Ready in 2 minutes.

Grenadine

Mix pomegranate juice + sugar (2:1) and simmer 5 min. Or use a splash of raspberry syrup.

Angostura Bitters

Peychaud's Bitters (lighter/anise). Or a drop of absinthe. Or skip — bitters are small volume.

Kahlúa

2 shots espresso + 1 tsp sugar + 30ml vodka. Or Tia Maria, or any coffee liqueur.

Fresh Lime Juice

Bottled lime juice (use ¾ of the amount). Or lemon juice — similar acidity, slightly different flavour.

Egg White

3 tsp aquafaba (chickpea liquid) per egg white. Or 1 tsp meringue powder + water. Both foam well.

Dry Vermouth

Dry white wine (use more). Or a splash of dry sherry. Or skip and add a few drops of water.

Sweet Vermouth

Port wine (sweeter/richer). Or Lillet Rouge. Or sweet Marsala wine — different but workable.

Heavy Cream

Coconut cream (dairy-free, slight coconut note). Or half-and-half (less rich). Or evaporated milk.

Understanding these ratios lets you riff and substitute with confidence.