12 Best Substitutes For Vodka In Cocktails And Cooking

Vodka, often a potato, fruit, or grain-based spirit, is a popular choice for many cocktails and recipes, but it's not right for every situation. Whether you're out of vodka at home, you just don't like it, or you're not a big drinker, don't let that stand in your way of making a solid cocktail or dish. Plenty of cocktail and cooking recipes out there use vodka, but there's always a way to modify recipes to fit your needs.

Whether you're trying to craft a classic cocktail or take on a new ambitious cooking project, try these substitutes for using vodka in cooking and cocktails. From lemon juice to apple cider to other spirits, each option is sure to add a different twist to whatever you're making. With the spirit of experimentation, these other options are a great way to substitute for vodka but add a new character to your dish or drink. Cheers to inventiveness.

It famously works in martinis, and it'll work in most other drinks you make — using gin as a substitute for vodka gives a slightly different twist on a lighter cocktail. Gin has a more botanical backbone than vodka does, thanks to the juniper it's famous for, which will add a slightly bitter flavor profile to your drink.

There are many different types of gin available on the market, from the classic London dry gin to the complex barrel-aged gin, so keep that in mind when putting together your cocktail or dish. For example, when making a sauce for a dessert, you might want to use the caramel-forward barrel-aged gin, whereas when making a simple sauce, you may want to opt for London dry.

When it comes to cocktails, start small with something like a gin and soda, or take it up a notch with an ode to the girls of Sex and the City — a gin Cosmopolitan. Or, if you're feeling a little spicer, replace the vodka in a Bloody Mary with your favorite dry gin.

Another way to use gin instead of vodka is in a penne alla vodka-esque dish. The gin will cook off the same way the vodka would and will help thicken the sauce, but you'll be left with a slightly more complex and interesting flavor in your dish.

Moving past just light spirits, here's the dark horse substitute for vodka. Want to add some additional body and color to your cocktail or dish without overpowering the other components? Try using a light whiskey.

Contrary to what you might think, "light" doesn't mean that the whiskey is lower in alcohol. In fact, light whiskey is required to contain more than 80% ABV and less than 95%. "Light" is actually referring to the flavor of the whiskey, which is likely to be sweet and less strong-tasting than your typical whiskey. This type of whiskey's aging isn't as intense, which contributes to the flavor difference. History lesson: light whiskey came about in the U.S. in the 1960s, and while it isn't the most popular spirit out there, it has a following.

Try using light whiskey in any cocktail where you would typically use vodka for a twist on the drink's character. Also, light whiskey is a great contribution to any dish where you want to add deeper, richer flavors. Beyond savory applications, try using light whiskey when making a dessert — similar to rum, light whiskey would be good for making a syrup.

This substitute has similar reasoning to the previous recommendation but will contribute a different flavor profile — a bit sweeter instead of super tart. The best part is that you probably already have these two ingredients kicking around in your kitchen as we speak.

Try combining apple cider with lime juice to imitate the aroma of vodka in your dish or cocktail. The apple cider will add sweetness to your cocktail or dish while the lime juice will cut the sweetness with its distinct tartness. This mixture will add a balanced flavor to any cocktail that typically requires vodka, or it'll help deglaze your pan or add body to your sauces made while cooking.

When it comes to cocktails, use this mixture to add a fruity sweet-tart pop. The apple cider can contribute a cozy vibe to any drink, so reach for this substitution when it's cold outside. There's no better way to welcome any guest during the cold months than with an apple cider drink. Don't sweat about overdoing the sweetness or tartness with this tip. Use apple cider and lime juice in the same proportion you would use for vodka in any recipe to avoid overpowering the other existing flavors in your cocktail or dish.

If you don't have lemon lying around, no worries. Plain water can be used as a makeshift vodka substitute when your main concern is adding volume to drinks or dishes. You won't want to use this option if you're trying to make a vodka soda, but in drinks that have multiple components, water can be a great option if you're out of vodka.

For example, a Long Island Iced Tea has so many other kinds of liquor in it that you won't miss the vodka if you replace it with water. Or if you're looking for something still alcoholic but a bit less boozy, try making a White Russian with water instead of vodka — the Kahlua will pack the slight alcoholic punch needed to make the drink shine.

As far as cooking goes, you can use water to deglaze your pot or pan or thin your sauces out. But keep in mind that using plain water will not allow you to get the same flavor or aroma as vodka, so consider other flavoring agents, like lime juice, mentioned above, if you're looking to add a kick to whatever dish you're cooking.

You can do more with white wine than just pouring it into a glass. Consider using it in any cocktail that requires vodka for an interesting, lower-ABV twist on the creation. With an ABV of 10-13%, white wine is a lot less alcoholic than vodka is. Because of this, white wine is the perfect way to make your cocktail more sessionable — but still delicious.

It's important to remember that different white wines will bring unique characteristics to your cocktails based on the types of grapes and conditions under which they're produced. If you're aiming for a smooth, round drink with buttery notes, try an oaked chardonnay. If you're looking for a crisp, grassy addition to your cocktail, grab a bottle of sauvignon blanc.

When it comes to cooking, white wine is the perfect addition to pastas and sauces. Use it to add extra flavor to your dish and to deglaze your pan to get all the bits at the bottom.

If you're looking to add zippy flavor to your drink or dish, look no further than the versatile white balsamic vinegar. This ingredient works great for making a simple yet bright salad dressing, but it can be used for so much more than that.

White balsamic vinegar production begins with a white grape "must," which is made of the whole fruit — skins, seeds, fruit, and all. That mixture gets pressure-cooked and aged, and after some time, the finished product is ready for consumption.

While you can drink white balsamic vinegar by itself or mixed with water, it is also a superstar for adding fruity notes to your dish or cocktail. Try combining it with citrus or simple syrup in a fruity-leaning cocktail to create a fully balanced flavor profile. For a more creative option, you can use white balsamic vinegar in desserts. It's great on cakes or ice cream for a sweet yet tart experience.