Bourbon is a distilled spirit made with at least 51 percent corn that must be aged in new, charred white oak barrels for a minimum of two years. No ingredients can be added to bourbon during bottling to enhance the flavor. Bourbon cocktails are fairly common, and the spirit is sometimes used in cooking. For those that don't drink alcohol, there are some substitutes that can be used in cocktails and food.
Non-alcoholic Vanilla Extract and Water
In cocktails like the Manhattan and hot toddy, a mixture that is one part non-alcoholic vanilla extract and two parts water equal to the total amount of bourbon can be substituted for bourbon whiskey. For a unique touch, use a vanilla pod as a stirrer instead of a traditional plastic one.
Fruit-Based Cocktails
Fruit-based cocktails, or recipes that use bourbon as their base or as an added ingredient, can be prepared by replacing bourbon with fruit juice and non-alcoholic vanilla extract mixed at a 4:1 ratio. For example, the classic Kentucky sidecar, normally made with tangerine juice, lemon juice, Cointreau and bourbon, you can use a mixture that is two parts tangerine juice, two parts lemon juice and one part non-alcoholic vanilla extract. This mixture of fruit juice and vanilla extract is suited to fizzes that have fruit flavor as well.
Peach Nectar and Cider Vinegar
Peach nectar and cider vinegar can be used in cocktails that call for bourbon and have a small amount of fruit flavor like lime juice or are garnished with lime, as the peach nectar blends well into the drink. To make the bourbon substitute, combine three parts peach nectar to one part cider vinegar. This bourbon substitute is well suited to punches and drinks where large amounts of the cocktail are prepared ahead of time and served over ice.
For Baking and Food
When recipes call for bourbon or whiskey, a mixture of non-alcoholic vanilla extract and non-alcoholic almond extract can be used in place of bourbon in equal proportions. However, if the recipe only calls for a very small amount of bourbon, some chefs choose to simply omit the bourbon altogether, using slightly more of a liquid ingredient to replace the water content.
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