Best Substitutes for Heavy cream

Out of Heavy cream? Here are the best alternatives that work in cocktail recipes.

Heavy cream — mixer used in cocktails

Original Ingredient

Heavy cream

Mixer Rich, unctuous dairy nose with sweet cream and subtle butterfat. Thick, velvety palate with luscious mouthfeel and clean dairy sweetness. Smooth, coating finish that rounds sharp spirits.

Recommended Substitutes

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Whipping cream

Use as a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted.

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Cream

Use as a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted.

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Half-and-half

Use as a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted.

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Light cream

Use as a 1:1 substitute unless otherwise noted.

General Substitution Tips

  • Match the alcohol level: a 40% spirit needs a similarly strong replacement or adjust volume.
  • For liqueurs, dilute spirits + simple syrup can replicate sweetness and proof.
  • Citrus substitutions: lemon and lime are mostly interchangeable at a 1:1 ratio.
  • For bitters, Angostura is the most neutral substitute for most other aromatic bitters.