When you need some great rum extract substitutes, you don’t need to look any further as I’m sharing all of my best and favorite alternatives here! These are incredibly flavorful alcohol choices that you can swap out, as well as equally wonderful non-alcoholic alternatives that can be used in baking and cocktail recipes!

best rum extract substitutes to use in recipes and cocktails.

There are many reasons why you might want to find a rum extract substitute. Maybe you’re out of rum extract and need to make a recipe that calls for it. Or maybe you’re looking for a non-alcoholic alternative for a mocktail or cocktail recipe. Whatever the reason, there are several good substitutes for rum extract that you can use in cooking and mixing cocktails.

1. Rum (Plain, Light, Dark Rums)

Plain rum is a great substitute for rum extract in recipes. It will add the same flavor and sweetness to your dish with the very best flavor match to your rum extract.

Taste and adjust your recipe as needed, and note that you will need to use less dark run than when substituting with plain or light rum.

2. Vanilla Extract

Vanilla extract is another good option for substituting rum extract. It has a similar flavor profile and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.

Additionally, you can use vanilla extract in an equal ratio to substitute for rum extract in any recipe.

3. Bourbon

Bourbon is another good choice for substituting rum extract, especially in baking recipes. The alcohol flavor will be present, so opt for a non-alcoholic substitute instead if you do not want that hint of alcohol in your baked treats.

4. Brandy

Brandy and Cognac can both be used as rum extract substitutes, and are both especially well suited to being used in baking recipes. Note that your baked goods will have a flavor of alcohol in addition to the rum flavor of using extract.

Start with 1 tablespoon of Brandy to substitute for 1 teaspoon of imitation rum extract. Taste and adjust as needed.

5. Cognac

Cognac is also a good choice for substituting rum extract, though it will add a bit more of an alcoholic flavor to your dish. Like Brandy and Bourbon, Cognac is best suited to use in baking recipes.

6. Tequila

Tequila is another good rum extract alternative, especially in Mexican-inspired dishes.

7. Cachaca

Cachaca is another option for substituting rum extract, particularly in Brazilian-style recipes. It’s a Brazilian spirit that is made from sugarcane juice and has a similar flavor profile to rum extract.

8. Coffee Extract (or Strong-Brewed Coffee, or Espresso Powder)

If you’re looking for a non-alcoholic alternative to rum extract, coffee extract is a good choice. It has a similar flavor profile and can be used in both sweet and savory dishes.

If you don’t have coffee extract on hand, simply brew a strong pot of coffee or grab some espresso powder instead!

9. Orange Juice Concentrate

Another good non-alcoholic substitute for rum extract is orange juice concentrate. It will add sweetness and acidity to your dish, providing a similar flavor profile to rum extract.

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10. Orange Liqueur

Orange liqueur is another good choice for substituting rum extract, especially in recipes that call for a small amount of rum extract. Grand Marnier and Triple Sec are two popular options for orange liqueur substitutes.

Any of these liqueurs will add sweetness and acidity to your dish, providing a similar flavor profile to rum extract.

Pick The Perfect Rum Extract Substitutes!

If you’re out of rum extract and need a substitute for cooking or mixing cocktails, there are several great options available! Plain rum, vanilla extract, bourbon, coffee extract and strong coffee, tequila, cachaca, brandy, cognac, orange juice concentrate, and orange liqueur can all be used as substitutes for rum extract.

Just keep in mind that the flavor of your dish or drink may be slightly different than if you had used rum extract. Experiment until you find a substitute that you like best.