Do you know Jim Beam? We’d be surprised if you didn’t!
This bourbon whiskey has been around since 1795, known as “Jim Beam Black Label” before.
Today, the Beam Suntory company owns Jim Beam, now based in Japan. The company isn’t only the major Jim Beam supplier and has other alcoholic beverages available.
Since it’s so popular, we get that it might not be easy to find during huge events like Independence Day, New Year’s, and the like.
What do you do if it’s sold out or you prefer other alcoholic options?
What can you substitute for jim beam?
Read on to find out what they are!
What’s Jim Beam Exactly?
While Suntory Holdings owns Jim Beam, it’s also a distillery in Clermont, Kentucky.
The distillery produces American liquors such as bourbon, bourbon whiskey, among other flavored whiskey varieties.
Jim Beam is most famous for their drink, Jim Beam, which is what we’re talking about now.
Learn more: What Does Jim Beam Taste Like?
The alcoholic beverage has been here for years now, with many loving the Kentucky Bourbon whiskey and having it as a staple in the bar.
Whatever the reason why you need a Jim Beam substitute, there are great options to try, such as:
The Top Four Jim Beam Substitutes To Try
| Substitute | Flavor Profile | Best Usage | Quantity Replacement | Sweetener Adjustment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brandy | Fruity, lemony | Cakes, creams, pastries, steak sauces, lobster soups | 1 tablespoon of Brandy for 1 tablespoon of Jim Beam | Adjust for balanced flavors, as Brandy is sweeter |
| Cognac | Deeper, fragrant | Cocktails, flambeed dishes, sauces, chocolate pastries | 1 tablespoon of Cognac for 1 tablespoon of Jim Beam | Adjust for balanced flavors |
| Rum | Spicy, molasses-like | Cocktails, coffee mousse, rum balls, highballs, rum marinades | 1 tablespoon of Rum for 1 tablespoon of Jim Beam | Adjust for balanced flavors, as Rum is sweeter |
| Bourbon Extract | Rich, spicy | Non-alcoholic recipes, cakes, cookies, muffins, ice cream, soups, stews | A few drops of extract for 1 tablespoon of Jim Beam | Highly concentrated, use sparingly |
1. The Elixir of Elegance: Exploring the Refined World of Brandy
Brandy has different tastes, depending on the variety you purchase. But in general, the drink has a bit of a fruity and lemony touch, pairing well with sweets.
We recommend using this as a great substitute in cakes, creams, and pastries, along with steak sauces and lobster soups! However, note that brandy is sweeter than Jim Beam, so while you can use equal amounts, adjust the amount of sweetener in your recipe for balanced flavors.
2. From Vine to Cognac: Unveiling the Distinctive Spirit of France
Cognac is a French liquor pairing well with Jim Beam in cocktails. The fragrance from cognac comes from aging in barrels for at least three years, while Jim Beam was only aged for a few months.
That’s why cognac has a deeper flavor compared to Jim Beam, and while cognac doesn’t have the same taste, some say that enhances it.
If you’re a fan of fancy cooking, you can flambee this drink. You can also use cognac for refining sauces and flavoring chocolate pastries.
Substitute quantity: you can replace one tablespoon of Jim Beam with one tablespoon of the Cognac in your recipe. We recommend that you should adjust the amount of sweetener in your recipe for balanced flavors.
3. Caribbean Charm: Unleashing the Tropical Spirit of Rum
Rum is a bit spicier and tastes more like molasses than Jim Beam and is also a versatile ingredient in the cocktail and culinary world.
We love using it in sweets like coffee mousse and rum balls and traditional cocktails like highballs. That and rum marinade is amazing in barbecue ribs.
While rum is sweeter than bourbon, it’s still a fantastic Jim Beam alternative to use in many recipes calling for bourbon whiskey.
Substitute quantity: you can replace one tablespoon of Jim Beam with one tablespoon of the rum in your recipe. We recommend that you should adjust the amount of sweetener in your recipe for balanced flavors.
4. Capturing the Essence: Non-Alcoholic Bourbon Extract for Flavorful Delights
If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic substitute for Jim Beam for religious or other personal reasons? Or are you tired of the taste of alcohol?
Fortunately, there are bourbon extracts available so that you can create a Kentucky Sunrise or Manhattan without alcohol. Or you can also make cakes, cookies, muffins, ice cream, soups, and stews, with the spice providing a delicious flavor.
While you can use an equal ratio with brandy, cognac, and rum, you must only use a few drops of bourbon extract since it’s highly concentrated.
What Are Good Brands to Replace Jim Beam?
There are also other great alcohol brands that you can use in place of Jim Beam.
If you don’t have any Jim Beam left in the store (it can be that popular in your area), then try any of these brands, which may be available.
1. The Trace of Buffalo
Lousiana’s Sazerac Company owns this brand in New Orleans. The Buffalo Trace Distillery has been around for almost 200 years, producing award-winning bourbon whiskey, including the very popular Pappy Van Winkle Family Reserve.
We like that Buffalo Trace has more affordable alcohol, so if you’re looking for cheaper bottles, then we recommend bourbon from the Trace of Buffalo.
Most Buffalo Trace Distillery bottles have a rich combination of candied fruits, caramel, and vanilla.
2. Woodford Reserve
The Brown-Forman Corporation in Louisville, Kentucky, owns Woodford Reserve, a whiskey produced in distilleries that have been around since the Civil War.
It has such a long history since the Civil War-era distillery to the point it’s considered the Kentucky Derby official bourbon and a very popular cocktail around the USA.
Woodford Reserve is a spirit with a soft finish that’s exceptionally smooth and feels simple to sip. You can either use it in cocktails or drink it on its own if you’re a bourbon drinker.
3. Evan Williams
Heaven Hill Distilleries in Bardstown, Kentucky, owns Evan Williams bourbon. In fact, Evan Williams built their own distillery in 1783 in Ohio River, the state’s first distillery.
We recommend this bourbon if you’re on a tight budget but still want a rich and silky whiskey for cocktails or on its own. If you ask us, we enjoy Heaven Hill Distilleries’ drinks in cocktails like Kentucky Mules and Whiskey Sours.
Fact: What is the difference between Evan Williams and Jim Beam?
The difference between Evan Williams and Jim Beam is that Evan Williams is a bourbon made in Kentucky, while Jim Beam is a bourbon made in Indiana. Kentucky bourbon must be made from at least 51% corn, whereas Indiana bourbon can be made from any grain. In addition, Evan Williams is aged for at least four years, while Jim Beam is only aged for two years. Finally, Jim Beam uses a charcoal mellowing process that Evan Williams does not use.
4. Jack Daniels
Brown-Forman Corporation in Louisville, Kentucky, owns Jack Daniels, one of the most popular drinks. While it isn’t considered bourbon, it isn’t really far off.
The American whiskey has a smoothness and smokey sweetness in Jack Daniel’s mouth, so think of it as a sweeter Jim Beam’s.
Learn: Jim Beam vs Jack Daniel’s (KNOW This NOW Before You Try!)
Frequently Asked Questions
Hold up; you think we’re done here?
We’ve got a lot more info about this bourbon whiskey, so you get to learn about this beverage, whether for drinking or cooking. Check out these frequently asked questions:
Wrapping It Up
Whether you’re a bourbon drinker or need to use it for cooking, there are many alternatives to choose from. Try any of the options mentioned above if you’re in a pinch, and enjoy!
Up Next:
