Way back in the 1600s, British merchants added brandy to wine to keep it from spoiling on long sea trips. They were trying not to make port.
They failed spectacularly. And we’re all grateful. That “mistake” gave us the richest, most decadent cooking wine ever.
Your substitute is also a happy accident. You’re just continuing the tradition of kitchen chaos turned delicious.
7 Port Wine Substitutes: Spice Up Drinks [2026]
How To Actually Cook With These
One golden rule: sweat the alcohol. If your sub has wine or juice, cook it down for two minutes. Let the rawness evaporate.
Add it early in the recipe. Port is a slow-burn ingredient. It needs time to mingle and sing.
For sauces, deglaze the pan with your sub. Scrape up those brown bits. That’s pure flavor gold.