Best Substitutes For Drambuie For Refreshing Cocktails

As the weekend approaches, you simply cannot wait to put on your comfiest clothes, put your feet up and enjoy a refreshing beverage to melt away the stresses of the week. Or you may be heading to a party. 

Either way, an alcoholic beverage or 2 is going to be involved. And what better drink than a rich sip of Drambuie? This Scottish Whisky liqueur is extremely popular in cocktails due to the gorgeous sweet yet slightly spicy flavor it provides. 

However, you may not be able to find Drambuie in your local liquor store. This could mean the end of your cocktail-making plans, or you can keep reading to find some delicious subsidies. 

Below are 5 of the best substitutes for Drambuie including Glayva, Triple Sec, and Southern Comfort. All of these provide a stunning flavor that is perfect for cocktails!

5 Best Substitute For Drambuie 

Below are 5 of the best substitutes that you can use in place of Drambuie. There are plenty of options out there but none will offer the same results as the ones on this list. 

What Does Drambuie Taste Like?

Drambuie is a Scottish whiskey that is made from aged malt whiskey, Scottish heather honey, and a range of herbs and spices. It originated in the 1800s and has been a staple in Scottish beverages ever since. 

When enjoyed on the rocks or straight it offers a smooth, multi-layer flavor profile that has you coming back for more. It is sweet, rich, and extremely indulgent. 

However, it is most commonly used in cocktails to add depth and a little spice. 

Nutritional Value Of Drambuie 

Drambuie Substitutes 

1. Glayva 

Glayva is another smooth whisky liqueur from Scotland. It is made with a blend of honey, spices, and whiskey that provide a sweet taste. 

It is typically enjoyed on its own in a short glass with a few ice cubes to cut the sweetness. It is probably the best Drambuie substitute as it offers similar flavors. 

Make sure to use the same measurements of Glayva in your cocktails for a delicious beverage. 

2. Triple Sec 

Next up is Triple Sec. This is an orange-flavored liqueur that is originally from France. It is extremely sweet due to the distilled sugar cane and is used in a wide variety of cocktails.

It is an extremely dry liqueur that is not typically enjoyed on its own. It is more so used to give a sweet, vibrant flavor to cocktails. 

The sweetness of this liqueur is what makes it such a great substitute for Drambuie and requires the same measurements. Simple and delicious. 

Although your cocktail may lose a touch of richness with this liqueur it will still have the same sweet and distinct flavor. 

3. Chivas Regal’s Lochan Ora 

Many believe that Chivas Regal’s Lochan Ora is a true whiskey but it is actually a whiskey liqueur. And it has an almost identical flavor profile to Drambuie. 

This beverage uses single malt whisky from the Speyside Distillery in Morayshire, Scotland, and heather honey.

As you can see from the clear bottle, it has a gorgeous golden amber color. The taste is even better. Honey and spices make this tremendous whiskey liqueur and give it a smooth creamy texture. 

Perfect for making slightly thicker cocktails or if you something a little lighter. It can also be enjoyed on its own with a few ice cubes or a splash of water. 

4. Southern Comfort 

Southern Comfort is probably one of the most distinctive liqueurs on this list. It has a slightly different flavor to Drambuie but it still works great as a substitute in cocktails. 

It has a silky texture and a strong, occasionally overpowering alcohol flavor that tastes like oranges. This beverage has the same wonderful smooth consistency and light golden brown color.

Southern Comfort has notes of citrus and vanilla making it perfect for the summer months. 

5. Bénédictine

Moving away from the distilleries of Scotland to the flavors of the French. Bénédictine has a beautiful golden color and has a rather thick, creamy texture. 

It is extremely popular among cocktail recipes as it adds a nice color and depth to the drink. 

Bénédictine is extremely similar to Drambuie and Glayva but has more of an intense honey aftertaste. Lovely if you find Drambuie to be too rich. 

It does have a more intense alcohol scent when you open the bottle but that does not disturb the flavor inside. Keep your ratios the same for a tasty cocktail. 

Popular Recipes That Call For Drambuie

1. Rusty Nail Cocktail

The perfect scotch cocktail is the rusty nail. Scotch and Drambuie are the only two components in this extremely straightforward concoction, which is served in an old-fashioned tumbler on the rocks.

It’s a sophisticated beverage that is best enjoyed slowly, and it goes well with meals.

Add a much more refreshing touch with a slow-melting ice ball. This reduces dilution and helps the flavor last for longer. 

2. Show Me The Monkey

A lot of Drambuie cocktails are rich and intense. Show Me The Monkey is sweet and extremely easy to drink. 

Serve in a tall glass over ice and you have the perfect summer cocktail. Don’t forget to garnish with some fresh mint leaves for a vibrant, fresh smell that only enhances the drinking experience. 

3. The Coffee Creme

The coffee crème cocktail is a great choice for a Burns Night libation, but you can also sip on this Drambuie beverage all through the fall and winter, especially around Christmas and Hogmanay.

You are going to want to sip on this indulgent cocktail while resting in a large leather chair looking over your dark mahogany desk. The perfect cocktail to capture the dark Academia aesthetic. 

Final Thoughts 

Being in charge of the cocktails for the office party, or any party for that matter, can be daunting. So many recipes, ingredients, and flavors to balance. How will you cope?

Drambuie offers a rich, unique taste that is perfect for adding to any cocktail. The intense sweetness and slight spice give it the perfect balance for your drinks. 

Above are 5 of the best substitutes if you cannot get your hands on Drambuie. Each one offers a similar flavor profile that will have your cocktails going down smoothly. 

Don’t forget to keep the ice topped up and watch everyone enjoy every sip.