Andy M.
Certified Pretend Chef
If you want to use vanilla without the presence of alcohol, buy a vanilla bean and steep it in one of the liquids simmering in a pot to extract flavors.
On another note, I just want to mention how impressed I am with this forum. This is my first posting, and I've found everyone to be informed, respectful, and helpful.
Bill
Yes, and Wilbur and Orville had no business trying to develop what professionals were attempting to invent! Bill
Re: "Recreating the taste of an alcoholic beverage using no alcohol is probably a task best left up to the chemists and their labs."
Yes, and Wilbur and Orville had no business trying to develop what professionals were attempting to invent! We can't count the number of things that have been successfully developed by "amateurs."
But seriously, what's the harm in trying? Worst case, you have to throw it out. Also, for this particular application there are a lot of strong flavors in the recipe that may mitigate the non-alcohol-beverage issue.
Nothing motivates me more than to have someone tell me to leave it to the professionals.
GLC, thanks for the tip on looking for alcohol-free vanilla flavoring.
On another note, I just want to mention how impressed I am with this forum. This is my first posting, and I've found everyone to be informed, respectful, and helpful.
Bill
Re: "Just remember that most of the alcohol in Bailey's comes from their "fine spirits" and not from Irish whiskey."
On the other hand, the alcoholic version of the liqueur that I make tastes really good, even though I use inexpensive Canadian whiskey instead of Irish whiskey or "fine spirits." I think it compares very favorably with the commercial Irish Creams that I've tried. My wife, a McBride and Irish to the core, likes it a lot. That's proof enough for me.
The liqueur, along with very nice labels and etched glasses titled "McBride's Irish Cream," make a great gift.
Today I bought some non-alcoholic vanilla and tomorrow am going to try to find a combination of coffee and vanilla that might work as a whiskey substitute.
Bill