Vodka substitutes

The closest substitute for Vodka is Citrus Vodka, which works but the drink will taste a little different. Adds a lemon note. In a pinch, use Orange Vodka, White Rum, Vanilla Vodka or Gin.

Swap it in 59 drinks Low and zero proof Questions

What to use instead of Vodka

Substitute	How much	Strength	Typical drink
Citrus VodkaWorks, tastes different Adds a lemon note. Same amount	Same amount	37.5–40% ABV	About the same
Orange VodkaLast resort Adds an orange aroma. Same amount	Same amount	35–40% ABV	About the same
White RumLast resort Slightly sweeter. Same amount	Same amount	37.5–47% ABV	About the same
Vanilla VodkaLast resort Adds vanilla. Same amount	Same amount	35–40% ABV	−1 point
GinLast resort Adds juniper. Same amount	Same amount	40–47.3% ABV	About the same

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 Vodka, how strong the drink ends up and when to adjust the sugar.

How they compare

Vodka vs Citrus Vodka
Property	Vodka	Citrus Vodka
Strength	37.5–50% ABV	37.5–40% ABV
Taste	Smooth, Mild sweetness, Light pepper, Neutral	Bright lemon, Clean, Slightly sweet, Crisp
Aroma	Clean, Slightly grainy, Subtle sweetness	Lemon zest, Clean citrus, Light sweetness
Finish	Clean, Warming, Short to medium	Clean, Citrus, Refreshing

Low and zero proof

An alcohol-free bottle can’t simply replace Vodka: without the alcohol the drink needs rebalancing. These versions are worked out for you.

Virgin CaesarZero proof Bloody Caesar
Virgin MaryZero proof Bloody Mary
Zero-Proof Espresso MartiniZero proof
Virgin Moscow MuleZero proof
Virgin Sex on the BeachZero proof

Already have one of these?

If you have Absolut, Ketel One, Grey Goose, Smirnoff or Tito's Handmade, you don't need a substitute: they are all Vodka. How they differ

What is Vodka?

Vodka is a clear, neutral spirit distilled to high purity, prized for its versatility in cocktails. Traditionally from Eastern Europe, it's made from grains, potatoes, or sometimes grapes.

All 59 drinks with Vodka

Got Vodka? It also replaces

Citrus Vodka

Questions about Vodka substitutes

What is the best substitute for Vodka?

Citrus Vodka is the closest substitute for Vodka, though the drink will taste a little different. Adds a lemon note. Use the same amount.

What can I use instead of Vodka in a Black Russian?

Citrus Vodka: swap 50ml (1⅔ oz) of Vodka for 50ml (1⅔ oz) of Citrus Vodka.

Is there an alcohol-free substitute for Vodka?

Not one for one: without the alcohol the drink needs rebalancing. Instead, there are zero-proof versions of the Bloody Caesar, Bloody Mary, Espresso Martini, Moscow Mule and Sex on the Beach made with non-alcoholic bottles.

Which Vodka brands can I use?

If you have Absolut, Ketel One, Grey Goose, Smirnoff or Tito's Handmade, you don't need a substitute: they are all Vodka. They differ in style and price, not in how you use them.

Does Citrus Vodka instead of Vodka change how strong the drink is?

Barely. In the 59 drinks on this page that use Vodka, Citrus Vodka changes the strength by less than one percentage point.

Out of Vodka?

Proof knows these swaps. Tell it which bottles you have and it shows the drinks you can still make.

Get Proof on the App Store Get Proof on Google Play