10 Best Mirin Substitutes (With Pictures)

Mirin is a Japanese rice wine that has become very popular over the years.

It’s often used as a cooking ingredient or added to cocktails.

If you love mirin, then you might want to try out some of these alternatives.

Mirin is a sweet, light, and slightly alcoholic beverage that comes from rice wine.

It’s commonly used in Japanese cuisine.

The alcohol content ranges between 12% and 14%.

There are plenty of substitutes for mirin, such as honey, agave nectar, brown sugar, maple syrup, molasses, and even fruit juice.

These alternatives are great for those who don�t drink alcohol

What Is Mirin?

Mirin is a Japanese sweetener used in Asian cuisine. It’s made from fermented rice, sugar, and salt. It’s similar to sake but not quite as strong. Mirin is sometimes called “Japanese honey” because it tastes very much like honey.
Mirin is usually added to soups and sauces to give them sweetness. It’s also used as a seasoning for meats and vegetables.
You can buy mirin online or in stores near you.

Best Mirin Substitutes

Sake is a traditional Japanese alcoholic beverage made from fermented rice. Sake is similar to wine, but it’s typically served chilled. Sake is traditionally served after meals, but it’s becoming increasingly popular as a cocktail ingredient.
Sake is made by fermenting rice using yeast. After fermentation, the rice is mixed with water and other ingredients such as koji a type of mold, sugar, and salt. This mixture is left to sit until the alcohol content reaches about 15%–20%. Then it’s filtered and bottled.
Sake is available in many different styles, from light to dark. Light sakes tend to be sweeter and lighter in color. Dark sakes tend to be stronger and darker in color.

1. Sake

Sake is a traditional alcoholic drink made from fermented rice. It is similar to wine, however, it is typically served chilled. Sakes are traditionally served after meals, however, it is becoming increasingly popular as a bar ingredient.
2. Rice Wine
3. Shochu

2. Sherry

1. Sake
Saké is a Japanese beverage made from fermented rice. Saké is usually served chilled, but can be drunk warm if desired. It is similar to sake, but is typically served after meals, rather than before.
2. Rice wine

3. White Wine

Sherry is a fortified wine produced in Spain. It is made from grapes, primarily white varieties such as moscatel and garnacha, although other types of grape may be used. Sherry is aged in oak barrels for several years, imparting a rich flavor. Sherry is sweetened with sugar, and sometimes contains alcohol typically 12%–18%. Sherry is generally consumed as an apéritif, dessert wine, digestif, or mixed drink. Sherry is often served chilled, but can also be served warm if desired.
Rice wine is a type of alcoholic beverage made from glutinous rice, and is popular in East Asia. In China, Japan, Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Philippines, Brunei, Hong Kong, Macau, and India, rice wine is known as “champagne” or “rice champagne”.
White wine is a generic term for any wine made from a white variety of grape. Most wines labeled as “white” are actually blends of red and white varieties. However, many countries have laws requiring that certain percentages of varietal grapes be used in order to qualify as “white wine”, e.g., France’s appellation d’origine contrôlée regulations.

4. Rice Vinegar

Rice vinegar is a common ingredient in Chinese cuisine. It is made from fermented glutinous rice or sticky rice, and is usually clear, pale yellow, or straw colored. It has a mild sour taste and is used mainly as a condiment. Rice vinegar is widely available throughout China, Southeast Asia, and South Asia. It is also sold in grocery stores in North America.
5. Red Wine
Red wine is a colorless to slightly dark reddish-purple liquid obtained by fermenting the juice of grapes. Red wine is produced worldwide, and is a major component of the world wine trade. It is commonly drunk after meals, either alone or with food. Red wine is generally associated with meat dishes, while white wine is more frequently paired with fish and poultry.

5. Vermouth

Vermouth is a fortified wine with a distinctive flavor. It was originally created in Italy, but now is made around the world. In the United States, vermouth is typically served chilled, although it can be served hot or even frozen.
6. Mustard
Mustard is a spicy condiment made from ground seeds of mustard plants Brassica species. It is prepared from the seed pods of several different types of mustard plant, such as Brassica juncea, Brassica nigra, and Brassica alba. Mustard seeds are roasted and crushed to release the oils and other volatile compounds. The resulting paste is mixed with water, alcohol, or vinegar to form a thick sauce called mustard.

6. Aji-mirin

Aji-mirin is a Japanese seasoning consisting of mirin sweet sake and ajitsuke sake marinated in sugar. It is used mainly in Japanese cuisine.
7. Balsamic vinegar
Balsamic vinegar is a sweet white vinegar produced in Modena, Italy. It is aged in wooden barrels for many years, imparting a rich color and flavor. It is sometimes referred to as “the king of vinegars” because of its high quality.

7. Shaoxing Wine

Shaoxing wine is a Chinese alcoholic beverage made from fermented glutinous rice. It is usually served chilled, but can also be drunk warm.
8. Sake
Sake is a traditional Japanese alcoholic drink made from fermented rice. It is brewed in different styles depending on region and purpose.

8. Balsamic Vinegar

Balsamic vinegar is a sweet, dark colored vinegar produced from white Trebbiano grapes grown in Modena, Italy. It is aged in wooden barrels for about 10 years.
9. Chardonnay
Chardonnay is a type of white wine grape originating in France. It is known for its buttery flavor and crisp acidity.

9. Marsala Wine

Marsala is a fortified wine produced in Sicily, Italy. It is usually served as a dessert wine but can be used as a cooking ingredient.
10. Port Wine
Port wine is a sweet red wine produced in Portugal. It is typically served after dinner as a digestif.

10. White Grape Juice

9. Marsala Wine
It is a fortified wine produced from grapes grown in the area around Marsala, Sicily. It is usually served after dinner as a dessert wine but it can be used as a culinary ingredient.
10. Port Wine

Can You Make Your Own Homemade Mirin?

Mirin is a Japanese seasoning sauce made from sweet rice wine mirin and sugar. It is typically used as a condiment for sushi and other dishes.
How To Make Homemade Soy Sauce
1 cup soybeans

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes you can make your own homemade soy sauce. In order to make your own soy sauce, you will need to soak the beans overnight. Then drain the beans and grind them into a paste using a blender. Add salt and sugar to taste. Let the mixture sit for about 2 weeks. Strain the liquid and store it in bottles.

What Does Mirin Taste Like?

Mirin is a Japanese sweetened rice wine used in many dishes. It’s similar to sake but not quite as strong. It’s usually added to soups and sauces to give them sweetness.
How Do I Make Homemade Soy Sauce?
Answer: To make your own soy sauce you will need to soak dried soybeans overnight. Drain the beans and blend them into a smooth paste using a blender. Mix in salt and sugar to taste and let the mixture sit for about two weeks. Strain the mixture and bottle it.

What Is Mirin Used For?

Mirin is a type of sweetened rice wine used to flavor many Asian dishes. It’s similar in flavor to sake but not quite so strong. It’s usually used in soups and sauces to add sweetness.

Can I Mix Sake and Mirin in A Recipe?

Yes, you can mix mirin with sake. However, if you’re using mirin in a recipe, you’ll probably want to reduce the amount of sake you use. This is because sake tends to overpower mirin’s delicate flavors.