The 9 Best Substitutes For Apricot Nectar

What can I use instead of apricot nectar? The best substitutes for apricot nectar include agave nectar, dried apricot puree and fruit purees with a similar taste and texture, such as mango, nectarine, and persimmon. Fresh or canned peaches work exceptionally well, and applesauce is a convenient and reliable alternative.

Sweet, tart, fragrant, and luscious apricot nectar adds a delicious and unique twist to baked goods, cocktails, meat glazes, and smoothies. Upon simmering apricots with sugar and lemon juice, the pulp is removed to reveal the heavenly nectar. If the apricot season has passed or bottled apricot nectar is scarce, here are 9 wonderful alternatives:

The Best Apricot Nectar Substitutes

Dried Apricot Puree

If you have your mind and appetite set on apricot flavor for your meal or beverage, then dried apricots are the perfect substitute since they are widely available throughout the year.

Dried apricots are equally nutritious and delicious as fresh apricots and can easily be transformed into a puree and used as a 1:1 substitute for apricot nectar. The only caveat is that they usually come with a heavy price tag.

To make the apricot puree, reduce the dried apricots with water, a few teaspoons of sugar, and lemon juice in a pan, then blend into a puree.

Another simple technique is to simmer 1lb (450g) of dried apricots in 2 cups of apple or white grape juice for 15-20 minutes, then blend until smooth.

Dried apricots can be quite tart, so you may need to taste and add extra sugar, sweetener, or fruit juice to the puree to balance the flavor.

Canned Peaches

Peaches in any form make an outstanding alternative for apricots. This stone fruit shares numerous similarities to apricots, including an orange-yellow hue, aromatic flesh, and a balance of sweet and tart flavors.

Homemade or store-bought canned peaches come in handy for various recipes and make a superb substitute for apricot nectar.

Since the peaches are already sweet and soft, all that needs to be done is to simmer and blend them into a puree.

Prepare the puree by placing the peaches and a little juice from the can in a pan. Simmer and reduce the peaches for about 15-20 minutes before blending into a smooth puree.

Use an equivalent amount of canned peach puree to substitute for apricot nectar in smoothies and baked goods such as muffins and cakes.

Peach Nectar Or Juice

Peach nectar is a straightforward alternative to apricot nectar, as it offers a strikingly similar taste, texture, aroma, and consistency.

Although homemade peach nectar is an absolute treat, it will depend on personal time, the season, and the availability of peaches.

In contrast to apricot nectar, readymade and bottled peach nectar (or juice) are readily available at most grocery stores, making it a convenient alternative.

Peach nectar can be used cup for cup as a replacement for apricot nectar in cocktails, spritzers, fruit smoothies, baking, and as a tasty marinade or glaze for pork and chicken.

Homemade Peach Puree

With a short season, fast ripening time, and high demand, fresh apricots can be as scarce as hen’s teeth.

Fortunately, fresh peaches are abundant and can be made into a fantastic apricot nectar substitute as a puree.

The homemade peach puree is made with a single ingredient and three easy steps.

For ½ cup puree, peel three large, ripe peaches, remove the pits, and blend until smooth. If the puree is not sweet enough, add a little honey, sugar, or maple syrup, and blend again.

Peach puree makes a delightful apricot nectar alternative for salad dressings, fruit smoothies, and frozen treats swirled into yogurt and mixed into cocktails- especially a bellini!

Applesauce

Apples may appear to be a far cry from apricots, but their sweet and tart flavor profile works incredibly well in recipes that call for apricot nectar. In addition, apples are available year-round.

The fruity aroma, luscious consistency, and balanced flavor make applesauce a reliable and versatile apricot nectar substitute for sweet and savory applications.

Homemade applesauce is simple to prepare and requires a few basic ingredients- apples, sweetener, and water. If you are pressed for time, store-bought applesauce is always a winner and will work in a pinch.

Use applesauce instead of apricot nectar to add sweetness and moisture to cakes and muffins or balance the flavor of salad dressings and sauces.

This substitute makes a superb stand-in as a glaze or marinade for pork, duck, and chicken dishes.

Remember that applesauce has a runnier consistency, so you may need to adjust the amount used in baking.

Nectarine Puree

Nectarines are another stone fruit variety that is a fantastic stand-in for apricots.

Pureed nectarines have a beautiful golden hue and a syrupy sweet flavor with hints of tartness- perfect for recipes that require apricot nectar.

Nectarine puree is a breeze to whip up last minute, and it will leave your kitchen with a sweet and inviting aroma.

Simmer down peeled and pitted nectarines in a saucepan with sweetener and water before blending into a deliciously smooth puree.

Use nectarine puree in a 1:1 ratio to replace apricot nectar in a refreshing fruit smoothie, sorbet, or cocktail. This unique puree is also an excellent substitution for salad dressings and sauces.

Agave Nectar

Even though agave nectar doesn’t have the same viscosity as apricot nectar, it makes a handy substitute for recipes or beverages that require a touch of sweetness.

Agave nectar is a concentrated syrup from juice extracted from the blue agave plant (the same plant used to make tequila).

The agave juice is filtered and then heated to break it down into a simple sugar known as fructose.

Despite being sweeter than regular table sugar, agave nectar has a more neutral flavor and runnier consistency than honey. This syrup dissolves quickly and does not leave a bitter aftertaste.

These characteristics make it a suitable apricot nectar alternative for baking, cocktails, sauces, and glazes.

Agave nectar is significantly sweeter and thinner in consistency than apricot nectar, and you will need to adjust your ratios accordingly.

Persimmon Puree

An exciting yet convincing alternative to apricot nectar, the persimmon’s tangy, honey-sweet taste is accompanied by its silky texture and vibrant orange hue. The best type of persimmon for this switch is Hachiyas.

As with apricots, Hachiya persimmons have a very short season and must be fully ripened before consumption.

To achieve a texture and consistency resembling apricot nectar, you will need to blend or puree the persimmons, which couldn’t get any easier.

Scoop out the flesh from very ripe Hachiya persimmons and blend until silky smooth. Adding a little water may be necessary if you require a smoother or runnier consistency.

Enjoy persimmon puree as a cup-for-cup replacement for apricot nectar in muffins, smoothies, refreshing mixers, or as a spread between layers of cake.

Mango Juice Or Puree

Mangoes are an excellent substitute for apricots, particularly in juice or puree form. This widely-adored tropical fruit matches apricot nectar in terms of its sweet flavor, thick consistency, and floral aroma.

Mango’s flavor can be overpowering, so you can add a bit of lemon juice or combine it with another fruit juice/puree to achieve the perfect balance for your recipe.

When apricot nectar is not an option, mango puree can be prepared in no time at all, and it will certainly become a family favorite.

Peel, pit, and slice ripe mango into chunks before processing until smooth and creamy. You can thin the puree with water if needed.

You can swap out apricot nectar for mango puree in most recipes, including baked treats, ice cream, smoothies, cocktails, sauces, and glazes.