Drambuie substitutes
The closest substitute for Drambuie is Bénédictine, which works but the drink will taste a little different. Yukon Jack also works.
What to use instead of Drambuie
| Substitute | How much | Strength | Typical drink |
|---|---|---|---|
BénédictineWorks, tastes different Same amount | Same amount | 40% ABV | About the same |
Yukon JackWorks, tastes different Same amount | Same amount | 40–50% ABV | +3 points |
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 Drambuie, how strong the drink ends up and when to adjust the sugar.
- Rusty Nail
25ml (¾ oz) Drambuie → 25ml (¾ oz) Bénédictine
Same strength
How they compare
| Property | Drambuie | Bénédictine |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 35–40% ABV | 40% ABV |
| Taste | Sweet honey, Whisky warmth, Herbal, Spice | Sweet honey, Herbal, Citrus peel, Warm spices |
| Aroma | Honey, Heather, Scotch, Herbs, Spice | Honey, Herbs, Citrus, Saffron, Spice |
| Finish | Warming, Honey, Long, Complex | Long, Herbal, Sweet, Complex |
| Property | Drambuie | Yukon Jack |
|---|---|---|
| Strength | 35–40% ABV | 40–50% ABV |
| Taste | Sweet honey, Whisky warmth, Herbal, Spice | Sweet honey, Whisky warmth, Vanilla, Caramel, Orange peel |
| Aroma | Honey, Heather, Scotch, Herbs, Spice | Honey, Canadian whisky, Vanilla, Light citrus, Oak |
| Finish | Warming, Honey, Long, Complex | Honey sweetness, Warming, Medium length |
Bottles like Drambuie
Glayva is made in the same style as Drambuie, so it swaps in at the same amount.
What is Drambuie?
Drambuie is a Scottish liqueur made from aged Scotch whisky, heather honey, herbs, and spices. Essential for the Rusty Nail cocktail.
Got Drambuie? It also replaces
Questions about Drambuie substitutes
What is the best substitute for Drambuie?
Bénédictine is the closest substitute for Drambuie, though the drink will taste a little different. Use the same amount.
What can I use instead of Drambuie in a Rusty Nail?
Bénédictine: swap 25ml (¾ oz) of Drambuie for 25ml (¾ oz) of Bénédictine.
What else tastes like Drambuie?
Glayva is made in the same style as Drambuie, so it swaps in at the same amount. Expect small differences in bitterness and sweetness.
Does Bénédictine instead of Drambuie change how strong the drink is?
Barely. In the drink on this page that use Drambuie, Bénédictine changes the strength by less than one percentage point.
More liqueur substitutes
Out of Drambuie?
Proof knows these swaps. Tell it which bottles you have and it shows the drinks you can still make.