Bourbon substitutes
The closest substitute for Bourbon is Jim Beam Bourbon, which works and barely changes the drink. Jim Beam is a bourbon. Jack Daniels, Rye Whiskey and Crown Royal also work.
What to use instead of Bourbon
| Substitute | How much | Strength | Typical drink |
|---|---|---|---|
Jim Beam BourbonAlmost the same Jim Beam is a bourbon. Same amount | Same amount | 40% ABV | −1 point |
Jack DanielsAlmost the same Tennessee whiskey is made much like bourbon. Same amount | Same amount | 40–47% ABV | −1 point |
Rye WhiskeyWorks, tastes different Drier and spicier. Same amount | Same amount | 40–50% ABV | +1 point |
Crown RoyalWorks, tastes different Lighter and smoother. Same amount | Same amount | 40% ABV | −1 point |
Almost the same: most people won’t notice. Works, tastes different: still a good drink, just a different one. Last resort: better than skipping the drink. Typical drink: the usual change in ABV, in percentage points, across the drinks below.
Swap it in your drink
Pick a substitute to see how much to pour in each drink with Bourbon, how strong the drink ends up and when to adjust the sugar.
- Amaretto Sour
22ml (¾ oz) Bourbon → 22ml (¾ oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 13% ABV → about 12% ABV−1 point
- Boston Sour
45ml (1½ oz) Bourbon → 45ml (1½ oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 12% ABV → about 11% ABV−1 point
- Boulevardier
30ml (1 oz) Bourbon → 30ml (1 oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 22% ABV → about 21% ABV−1 point
- Bourbon Peach Slush
200ml (6¾ oz) Bourbon → 200ml (6¾ oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 9% ABV → about 8% ABV−1 point
- Bourbon Renewal
60ml (2 oz) Bourbon → 60ml (2 oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 18% ABV → about 17% ABV−1 point
- Brown Derby
45ml (1½ oz) Bourbon → 45ml (1½ oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 16% ABV → about 15% ABV−1 point
- Fanciulli
45ml (1½ oz) Bourbon → 45ml (1½ oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 27% ABV → about 26% ABV−1 point
- Fancy Free
60ml (2 oz) Bourbon → 60ml (2 oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 32% ABV → about 30% ABV−2 points
- Gold Rush
60ml (2 oz) Bourbon → 60ml (2 oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 18% ABV → about 17% ABV−1 point
- Halekulani
45ml (1½ oz) Bourbon → 45ml (1½ oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 15% ABV → about 14% ABV−1 point
- Kentucky Buck
60ml (2 oz) Bourbon → 60ml (2 oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 12% ABV → about 11% ABV−1 point
- Kentucky Maid
60ml (2 oz) Bourbon → 60ml (2 oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 17% ABV → about 16% ABV−1 point
- Kentucky Mule
60ml (2 oz) Bourbon → 60ml (2 oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 13% ABV → about 12% ABV−1 point
- Lion's Tail
60ml (2 oz) Bourbon → 60ml (2 oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 22% ABV → about 21% ABV−1 point
- Man o War
45ml (1½ oz) Bourbon → 45ml (1½ oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 23% ABV → about 22% ABV−1 point
- Maple Old Fashioned
60ml (2 oz) Bourbon → 60ml (2 oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 27% ABV → about 25% ABV−2 points
- Marzipan Old Fashioned
60ml (2 oz) Bourbon → 60ml (2 oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 28% ABV → about 26% ABV−2 points
- Midnight Stinger
45ml (1½ oz) Bourbon → 45ml (1½ oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 31% ABV → about 30% ABV−1 point
- Mint Julep
60ml (2 oz) Bourbon → 60ml (2 oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 34% ABV → about 32% ABV−2 points
- New York Sour
60ml (2 oz) Bourbon → 60ml (2 oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 14% ABV → about 13% ABV−1 point
- Old Fashioned
45ml (1½ oz) Bourbon → 45ml (1½ oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 40% ABV → about 38% ABV−2 points
- Port Light
60ml (2 oz) Bourbon → 60ml (2 oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 8% ABV → about 7% ABV−1 point
- Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned
45ml (1½ oz) Bourbon → 45ml (1½ oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 28% ABV → about 27% ABV−1 point
- Revolver
60ml (2 oz) Bourbon → 60ml (2 oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 30% ABV → about 28% ABV−2 points
- Salted Caramel Pecan Sour
50ml (1⅔ oz) Bourbon → 50ml (1⅔ oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 15% ABV → about 14% ABV−1 point
- Spiked Hot Apple Cider
45ml (1½ oz) Bourbon → 45ml (1½ oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 9% ABV → about 8% ABV−1 point
- Suffering Bastard
30ml (1 oz) Bourbon → 30ml (1 oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 10% ABV → about 9% ABV−1 point
- Toffee Apple Sour
50ml (1⅔ oz) Bourbon → 50ml (1⅔ oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 16% ABV → about 15% ABV−1 point
- Tropical Itch
30ml (1 oz) Bourbon → 30ml (1 oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 19% ABV → about 18% ABV−1 point
- Whiskey Smash
60ml (2 oz) Bourbon → 60ml (2 oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 20% ABV → about 18% ABV−2 points
- Whiskey Sour
45ml (1½ oz) Bourbon → 45ml (1½ oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 16% ABV → about 15% ABV−1 point
- Whiskey Sour Slush
200ml (6¾ oz) Bourbon → 200ml (6¾ oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
About 9% ABV → about 8% ABV−1 point
- Cherry Sour
50ml (1⅔ oz) Bourbon → 50ml (1⅔ oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
Same strength
- French 95
45ml (1½ oz) Bourbon → 45ml (1½ oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
Same strength
- Paper Plane
22.5ml (¾ oz) Bourbon → 22.5ml (¾ oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
Same strength
- Spiced Apple Slush
140ml (4¾ oz) Bourbon → 140ml (4¾ oz) Jim Beam Bourbon
Same strength
How they compare
| Property | Bourbon | Jim Beam Bourbon |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 40–50% ABV | 40% ABV |
| Taste | Sweet corn, Vanilla, Caramel, Oak, Gentle spice | Sweet corn, Vanilla, Caramel, Oak, Medium body |
| Aroma | Vanilla, Caramel, Oak, Corn sweetness, Baking spices | Caramel, Vanilla, Oak, Corn sweetness, Light spice |
| Finish | Warm, Sweet, Medium to long, Oak tannins | Warm, Sweet, Oak, Medium length |
| Property | Bourbon | Jack Daniels |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 40–50% ABV | 40–47% ABV |
| Taste | Sweet corn, Vanilla, Caramel, Oak, Gentle spice | Smooth, Caramel, Vanilla, Light banana, Oak |
| Aroma | Vanilla, Caramel, Oak, Corn sweetness, Baking spices | Banana, Vanilla, Caramel, Oak |
| Finish | Warm, Sweet, Medium to long, Oak tannins | Smooth, Sweet, Medium |
Low and zero proof
An alcohol-free bottle can’t simply replace Bourbon: without the alcohol the drink needs rebalancing. These versions are worked out for you.
- Hot Spiced Apple CiderZero proof Spiked Hot Apple Cider
- Zero-Proof Whiskey SourZero proof
Already have one of these?
If you have Buffalo Trace, Maker's Mark, Woodford Reserve or Evan Williams Black, you don't need a substitute: they are all Bourbon. How they differ
What is Bourbon?
Bourbon is America's native whiskey, made primarily from corn and aged in new charred oak barrels. It offers rich, sweet flavors with vanilla, caramel, and oak notes.
Got Bourbon? It also replaces
Questions about Bourbon substitutes
What is the best substitute for Bourbon?
Jim Beam Bourbon is the closest substitute for Bourbon and barely changes the drink. Jim Beam is a bourbon. Use the same amount.
What can I use instead of Bourbon in an Old Fashioned?
Jim Beam Bourbon: swap 45ml (1½ oz) of Bourbon for 45ml (1½ oz) of Jim Beam Bourbon. It ends up about 38% ABV instead of about 40% (before the ice melts).
Is there an alcohol-free substitute for Bourbon?
Not one for one: without the alcohol the drink needs rebalancing. Instead, there are zero-proof versions of the Spiked Hot Apple Cider and Whiskey Sour made with non-alcoholic bottles.
Which Bourbon brands can I use?
If you have Buffalo Trace, Maker's Mark, Woodford Reserve or Evan Williams Black, you don't need a substitute: they are all Bourbon. They differ in style and price, not in how you use them.
Does Jim Beam Bourbon instead of Bourbon change how strong the drink is?
It can. The biggest change is in the Fancy Free, which goes from about 32% to about 30% ABV. The swap calculator on this page works it out for every drink.
More spirit substitutes
Out of Bourbon?
Proof knows these swaps. Tell it which bottles you have and it shows the drinks you can still make.