The Best Simple Champagne Vinegar Substitutes

Do you have a recipe calling for champagne vinegar? There’s no need to go out and buy a bottle. Use these simple Champagne Vinegar Substitutes instead.

Best Champagne Vinegar Substitutes

(in order of preference)

1. White Wine Vinegar

While white wine vinegar tends to be slightly less sweet and more acidic when you taste them side by side, it’s rare that you’d notice a difference once it’s combined with other ingredients even in a simple vinaigrette.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

The flavour of apple cider vinegar is slightly more fruity than champagne vinegar. But in a finished dish it’s unlikely you’ll notice.

3. Sherry Vinegar

My favourite vinegar! The colour of sherry vinegar is more brown than the pale straw of champagne vinegar. And the flavour tends to be slightly harder and more acidic. So you may find you’ll need a little less sherry vinegar to match the acid of champagne vinegar.

4. Rice Wine Vinegar

Also called ‘rice vinegar’ this has a similar, pleasing acidity to champagne vinegar. It’s available in the Asian foods section of my local supermarket.

5. Red Wine Vinegar

If you don’t have any of the above vinegars, red wine vinegar will work. You’ll have the different colour and a slightly stonger flavour but it won’t be the end of the world.

6. Lemon / Lime Juice

Citrus juices rely on citric acid whereas all the wine vinegars mentioned above are acetic acid based. This means citrus juice has a completely different flavour profile.

But if you don’t have any vinegar in the house, a squeeze of lemon or lime will provide freshness and bring the other flavours of your dish to life in a similar way to vinegar. You may even enjoy the flavour differences!

More Tips for Cooking with Vinegar

More Ingredient Substitutes

Also see see the Simple Ingredients Substitutes Index.

Have fun in the kitchen!

With love,
Jules x