Benedictine Liqueur Substitute – What Can You Use?

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Benedictine is a herbal liquor mixed into cocktails such as the Vieux Carre, Chrysanthemum, and Bobby Burns. The sweet, citrusy, and herbal flavors also make Benedictine a common ingredient in various baked goods.

Whether you’re making a dessert or your favorite cocktail, there are several other liqueurs you can use instead of Benedictine. 

So, what is the best Benedictine liqueur substitute? Dom Benedictine B&B Liqueur is the best substitute for Benedictine Liqueur. B&B Liqueur is produced by blending Benedictine liqueur with brandy and is less strong and drier than the original Benedictine. Other suitable substitutes for Benedictine liqueur are Drambuie, Chartreuse, and Amaro. 

This article tells you everything you need to know about substitutes for Benedictine liqueur and how to use them in cocktails and dessert recipes. 

What is Benedictine Liqueur?

Benedictine is a herbal liquor made in France. Despite popular belief, Benedictine liqueur wasn’t developed by monks, but by a wine merchant named Alexandre Le Grand. 

The recipe for Benedictine liqueur remains a closely guarded trade secret. Benedictine liqueur reportedly consists of 27 berries, flowers, herbs, spices, and roots. 

Benedictine is a popular liqueur, consumed in countries around the world. People drink Benedictine neat or on the rocks, as an after-dinner drink, mixed into cocktails, or use it to add flavor and sweeten desserts. 

What does Benedictine Liqueur Taste Like?

The Benedictine liqueur has a sweet and complex flavor. Most people say that Benedictine tastes like honey, herbs, and warm spices with hints of citrusy aroma. 

Made with 27 different herbs, spices, and berries, the Benedictine liqueur has an opulent floral and herbaceous flavor. Its smooth and velvety texture makes it a great addition to cocktails. 

5 Best Benedictine Liqueur Substitutes

Substituting Benedictine liqueur can be a challenge because of its unique flavor. No liqueur can match the Benedictine’s flavor perfectly. 

Having said that, the following liqueurs have a similar flavor as Benedictine liqueur and can be used instead of it in cocktails and dessert recipes. 

1. Dom Benedictine B&B Liqueur

Dom Benedictine B&B Liqueur is the best substitute for Benedictine Liqueur. The B&B Liqueur is manufactured by the same company that makes the original Benedictine liquor.

Also known as Benedictine and Brandy, the B&B Liqueur is developed in the 1930s and is one of the oldest premixed cocktails. This liqueur is made by blending Benedictine with brandy.

The B&B Liqueur is drier and less sweet than Benedictine liqueur and combines herbal notes with a sweet and spicy taste. The subtle difference in flavor isn’t noticeable when B&B Liqueur is used in cocktails but becomes more pronounced when the drink is sipped neat. 

2. Drambuie

Dambuie has a similar flavor to a Benedictine liqueur and can be used as a substitute in cocktails and recipes. This golden-colored liqueur is made from Scotch whisky, honey, herbs, and spices. 

Dambuie has a complex flavor profile. This liqueur combines the flavor of aged malt whisky with rich honey and a mix of floral and herbal aromas. 

Enjoy Dambuie neat or over rocks, mixed in your favorite cocktail, or add it to a dessert recipe. 

3. Chartreuse Liqueur

Chartreuse is a herbal liqueur made in France by Chartrusian monks. It consists of distilled alcohol aged with 130 plants, flowers, and herbs. 

Chartreuse liqueur has a strong and distinctive taste. It’s sweet and spicy with a distinguishing vegetal and herbal aroma. 

This liqueur has 55% ABV and is a good substitute for Benedictine liqueur in cocktails and desserts. 

4. Yellow Chartreuse

Yellow Chartreuse is another type of liqueur produced by Chartrusian monks. It’s made from many different herbs, like Benedictine liqueur, but is a touch sweeter.

Yellow Chartreuse has a lower alcohol content than Chartreuse liqueur and a softer flavor profile. This liqueur has a mellow, honey-sweet aroma with intense herbal, floral, and citrusy notes. 

Use Yellow Charthreuse as a replacement for Benedictine liqueur when making cocktails or to enhance the flavor of baked goods. 

5. Amaro

Amaro is a bitter-sweet-tasting Italian herbal liqueur that is consumed as an after-dinner digestif. This liqueur has similar herbal ingredients as Benedictine and can be used instead of it in cocktails or desserts. 

Amaro is usually consumed neat or over rocks, mixed in a cocktail, or with tonic water. Substitute Amaro for Benedictine liqueur at a ½:1 ratio when making cocktails, puddings, or desserts. 

Is Benedictine the Same as Brandy?

No, the Benedictine liqueur isn’t the same as brandy. Benedictine is a type of herbal liqueur made of berries, herbs, roots, spices, and sugar with a cognac base. 

Brandy is a distilled spirit made from fermented fruits, most commonly grapes. Often consumed straight, brandy is also a foundation of several cocktails, including Metropolitan and Vieux Carre.

Can I Substitute Benedictine for Brandy?

Yes, you can substitute Benedictine liqueur for brandy in cocktails. Using Benedictine instead of brandy in cocktails like Vieux Carre will add depth to the drink without overpowering other ingredients.

Is Chartreuse Similar to Benedictine?

Chartreuse and Benedictine are herbal liqueurs with distinctive flavor profiles. Benedictine has a complex flavor profile with traces of honey, citrus, warm spices, and herbs. On the other hand, Chartreuse has a strong, distinctive taste that’s sweet, smooth, and spicy with an herbal finish. 

Conclusion

Benedictine is a popular herbal liqueur that can be enjoyed straight, mixed in cocktails, or added to desserts. This herbal liqueur has a unique and complex flavor that’s hard to replace. 

However, several liqueurs have a similar flavor profile as Benedictine and can be used as substitutes in cocktails or dessert recipes. If you can’t find Benedictine, use Chartreuse, Drambuie, Brandy, B&B Liqueur, or Amaro instead. 

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