Benedictine Liqueur Substitute - Best Alternatives for Cocktails & Cooking
Discover the best Benedictine liqueur substitutes for cocktails, cooking, and specific drinks like Singapore Sling and Vieux Carré. Find alternatives that work perfectly in any recipe.
Quick Answer
The best Benedictine liqueur substitutes are Chartreuse, Drambuie, Grand Marnier, or a homemade blend of brandy with honey and herbs. For cocktails like Singapore Sling and Vieux Carré, Chartreuse works exceptionally well.
Best Substitutes
Chartreuse
1:1French herbal liqueur with complex botanical flavors that closely matches Benedictine's profile. Available in green and yellow varieties, with green being more herbal and yellow more honey-forward.
Best for:
Best overall substitute with similar herbal complexity and sweetness
Drambuie
1:1Scottish liqueur with honey, herbs, and spices. Slightly sweeter than Benedictine but provides similar complexity and warmth.
Best for:
Excellent for cocktails requiring honey sweetness and herbal notes
Grand Marnier
1:1French orange liqueur with brandy base. While different in flavor, it provides similar sweetness and complexity for many applications.
Best for:
Works well in cocktails but has orange notes instead of herbal
Homemade Benedictine Blend
1 cup brandy + 2 tbsp honey + 1 tsp mixed herbs + 1 tsp vanillaCreate your own Benedictine substitute by infusing brandy with herbs like thyme, sage, and bay leaves, then sweetening with honey and vanilla.
Best for:
Infuse herbs in brandy for 24-48 hours before adding honey and vanilla
Cointreau + Brandy
2 parts Cointreau + 1 part brandyA blend that provides sweetness and complexity, though it lacks the herbal notes of Benedictine.
Best for:
Good for cocktails where you need sweetness and complexity
Cooking Tips
- 💡For Singapore Sling: Use Chartreuse or Drambuie as they maintain the cocktail's herbal complexity
- 💡For Vieux Carré: Chartreuse works best as it complements the rye whiskey and cognac
- 💡When cooking: Use Drambuie for desserts and Chartreuse for savory dishes
- 💡For sipping neat: Chartreuse or a quality Drambuie provide the best experience
- 💡In Singapore: Look for Chartreuse or Drambuie at major liquor stores, or use Grand Marnier as a widely available alternative
- 💡For Reddit community discussions: Chartreuse is the most commonly recommended substitute
Frequently Asked Questions
Summary
Find the best Benedictine liqueur substitutes for cocktails like Singapore Sling and Vieux Carré. Chartreuse, Drambuie, and homemade alternatives work perfectly in any recipe.