Cognac is doubly-distilled brandy from France by the same name. The alcoholic drink is graded by aging and this could be three, five, or seven years or more. It is easily accessible in most grocery stores or liquor stores. Sometimes you may run out of cognac and may need to use something else as a substitute. Below are some of the best options to substitute for cognac.
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Brandy
The difference between brandy and cognac is a lot like the difference between champagne and sparkling wine. The two are essentially the same thing only that one is more expensive because it has a tight set of restrictions around how and where it is produced. Cognac is known to offer a sensory experience for those who have a well-trained palate, but for the average person the difference is hardly noticeable.
When put into a cocktail, cooked in a sauce, or added into a dessert for extra flavour, no one will notice if you’ve switched the ingredient. However, check the label though when you use brandy in place of cognac and make sure it isn’t a flavoured variety like peach or apple because that may taste differently in your recipe. Brandy is also an excellent choice for deglazing and flambéing. Also check the label to ensure that the bottle you purchase is 80-proof alcohol.
Most types of brandy can be used as a cognac substitutes, but if you would not drink the spirit, then do not use it in your cooking. For a cheap alternative bottle of brandy consider Korbel which works great for cooking. As a drink, try Brandy de Jerez which has a heavier body than cognac and is also sweeter because of the faster-maturing grapes. Take note that cheap Brandy will work well as a substitute for Cognac in cocktails or for cooking, and in recipes where alcohol is not the main element just make sure you substitute your cognac with a brandy that you will consume.
Armagnac
Another good alternative for cognac is Armagnac. Armagnac is also another type of brandy that is produced in the Southwest of France from the Armagnac region in Gascony. Armagnac has a lower alcohol content than cognac but it tends to have a more complex flavour and it is drier in taste.
In cooking, it can be ideal to use a cheaper brandy since most of its flavour gets lost during cooking. But when it comes to drinking, it best to select Armagnac for its robust flavour because it is a top-shelf drink that you’ll be happy to offer your friends or family.
Sherry
Also on our list of drinks when it comes to substituting cognac is sherry. Sherry comes from Spain and is a type of fortified wine that exhibits dried fruit and a nutty flavour. For the best cognac substitute do not purchase any of the sweet sherry bottles that are labelled cream sherry, for example. Rather look for the better quality dry variety of sherry. Once slow-cooked, the alcohol will cook off and the flavour will diminish, leaving the delicious food.
Wine
Wine is another great substitute for cognac especially white wine. White wine is a good choice as an alternative to cognac in recipes like gravy and other sauces. An affordable bottle of Sauvignon Blanc or Pinot Grigio can be especially useful. You can use a medium to full-bodied wine that’s not very sweet. Do not use chardonnays because they can become bitter and astringent when reduced. Bold wines like Shiraz will change the flavour of your food. It is important to pay attention to the wine you select when choosing a substitute for cognac.
Scotch Whiskey
When it comes to selecting a substitute for cognac especially one you can drink consider purchasing Scotch, bourbon, or even rum. You could also purchase these alternatives if you don’t enjoy the taste of cognac and need something different. Although you can use Scotch in cooking, it is best to use cheaper alternatives which will do a similar job.
Brandy extract
When it comes to alcohol free alternatives, your best alcohol-free option for substituting cognac is brandy extract. You can make use of this option in mocktails, desserts and baking recipes that need flavour. Every tablespoon of cognac, can be replaced by one teaspoon of brandy extract. When it comes to baking you may need to add a little extra liquid to compensate.
Fruit juice
Fruit juice is also a good substitute for cognac. It can also be another alcohol free ingredient in cooking. Consider pear, apple, apricot, or peach juice as good options that you can use in equal quantities in place of cognac. Be careful not to use juice that has sugar added because it can make your food too sweet. If you want to make a sauce, add a little extra water to dilute the sweetness of your selected juice.
If you are looking for non-alcohol substitutes for Cognac, juice from pears, apricots, or peaches are your best options. You can use a half teaspoon of brandy extract in place of half a teaspoon of Cognac. Since Cognac is made from grapes, you can use unsweetened grape juice or other juices as long as they don’t have added sugar. You can also make use of non- alcoholic brandy and wine as substitutes for Cognac if you want to stick to something close or similar to brandy.
Below is a list of Cognac Substitutes For Cocktail,
- Brandy
- Wine
- Sherry
- Apple
- Apricot or Peach Juice
Cognac Substitutes for Gravy,
- Armagnac
- Brandy
- White Wine
- Red Wine
- Bourbon
Cognac Substitutes for Steak Au Poivre:
- Brandy
- Lemon Juice, Rum
- Bearnaise Sauce
Brandy is an ideal substitute for Cognac in recipes, including Steak Au Poivre. If you want an ingredient for baking, you can try rum. It may be different but it’s equally as good in baked goods. If you are sautéing something, consider white wine in place of Cognac. It will work just fine. You can also use lemon juice but make sure that you do not use too much lemon juice, otherwise it will just make your dish lemony. Brown liquors make good substitutes for Cognac, but they will not deliver the same taste.