Substitutes for Brandy: 9 Best Alternatives for Baking and Cooking!

Alcohol is more than just a beverage. One can utilize practically any type of alcohol to prepare food. Adding alcohol to a recipe will enhance the flavor of almost any dish.

Whether it’s wine, an excellent brandy, cooking sherry, or any other form of alcohol, it’ll add a special touch to the flavor and a distinct aroma of your food. There are no restrictions; it’s up to you to get the most out of your recipe.

One of the most widely utilized alcohols in cooking is brandy. In addition to being a popular drink, brandy adds a unique flavor to sweets, deglazing pans, and sauces. But what if you don’t have any brandy on hand? Can you substitute it with something else?

Whiskey, rum, wine, vodka, gin, bourbon, brandy extract, apple juice, and white grape juice are the most excellent brandy alternatives.

All of these substitutions will aid in the preservation of your dish.

If you’re baking a cake, make sure to read the notes below about what you can use as a brandy substitute (including fruit cake).

Substitutes for brandy

If you don’t have any brandy on hand, don’t panic; I’ll offer you a list of substitutions that will give your recipe a similar flavor.

If you don’t want to use alcohol in your recipe, look over the non-alcoholic options and choose what works best for you. Read through the list and select the option that best matches your needs. Alternatively, if you choose to use an alcoholic substitute, the other list can assist you.

No. 1 Whiskey

Whiskey is an alcoholic alternative that tastes highly similar to brandy. Whiskey has a different texture and flavor than brandy, but it will work well in your recipe. Also, while whiskey will taste more alcoholic, the difference will be minor, and you’re unlikely to notice. If you’re substituting, be sure to use the same amount of each ingredient.

No. 2 Rum

It is a form of alcohol that will truly enhance the flavor of your dish. Rum is sweeter than any other alcoholic beverage, and it is undoubtedly sweeter than brandy. But don’t worry, it won’t affect your recipe. It will complement the flavor and blend in well. If you’re replacing it, make sure to use the same amount and, if required, add water to dilute the sweetness.

No. 3 A glass of wine

Because brandy is merely distilled wine, it will work perfectly in your recipe. You may generate a similar flavor using wine. By doing so, you will enhance the richness and power of your recipe’s characteristics. There are many different sorts of wine, but you can’t go wrong with any of them. Because some wines are sweeter than others, you may need to add a dash of vinegar or lemon juice to balance the flavor. Red wines will offer more profound and more complex flavors, while white wines will keep the brandy’s original colors.

No. 4 Vodka

You can always use vodka, which is flavorless, odorless, and colorless, so it won’t change the color of your dish. You can use it to improve the texture of your baked goods.

No. 5 Gin

Gin is another alternative with its sharp, herbaceous flavors; just be sure that it will work in your recipe before using it. It goes exceptionally well with meats.

No. 6 Bourbon

Another option is bourbon, which has a somewhat sweet flavor, whereas scotch will give your dish a unique smokey twist.

Non-alcoholic alternatives include:

No. 7 Extract of brandy

If you want to maintain the brandy flavor, brandy extract is the closest thing you’ll get. It’s widely used to add the fragrant and sweet characteristics brandy provides, especially in dessert dishes. You can dilute one part extract with four parts water and use it the same way you would use brandy in a sauce or a marinade.

No. 8 Apple juice

Apple juice will suffice if you don’t want to use any alcohol-based replacements. Apple juice will work well in your recipe and, while it won’t have the same flavor as brandy, it will bring out a similar flavor. There’s no need to dilute the juice; use a few teaspoons, like brandy. Just keep in mind that you’ll need to mix it with water if you’re making larger batches.

No. 9 Grape juice (white)

White grape juice is another beverage that will do the job well. You can use it in various recipes, especially those that call for pig or poultry. To prevent adding sugars to your cuisine, always use 100 percent juices. To make a brandy replacement, add 1 to 2 tablespoons. Also, you should add one tablespoon of water to the mixture.

FAQs

Can one make cakes and fruitcakes with brandy?

One can make cakes and fruitcakes without the use of brandy.

Brandy is very frequently used in sweets. You may use 2 to 3 teaspoons of brandy extract in nearly any cake, and it will taste almost identical to using real brandy. Alternatively, you may use the same amount of bourbon or rum; or you may choose to add some apple juice.

Without a smidgeon of brandy, a friendly fruitcake is nothing. But don’t worry if you don’t have any; grape juice might serve as an acceptable substitute. Orange or apple juice are good choices for a light and bright fruit cake.

If you want to make a fruit cake without alcohol, another alternative is to soak the dried fruits overnight in a glass bowl. In this manner, you’ll have natural fluids in your cake, which will make it even more delicious.

In a beef stroganoff, what can I use instead of brandy?

Sherry is a good substitute for brandy in beef stroganoff. It is a fortified wine that will complement your recipe nicely. You can even use whiskey, bourbon, or rum as an option, which will make the stroganoff even more delicious.

What role does brandy play in the kitchen?

Brandy adds sweetness to baked goods. It pairs well with gingerbread, chocolate cake, and glazes because of its winey flavor.

What is the use of brandy in cooking?

When you use alcohol in the kitchen, it improves the taste of your meal by bringing out the scents and flavors. It also makes your meal smell tremendous and tastes even better when you’re cooking sauces! When you add brandy to a marinade, it aids the mixing of the meat and the flavor.