Flannel Shirt Cocktail

Substitutes:

• Scotch Whisky: If you don't have Scotch whisky, try using bourbon for a sweeter profile or rye whisky for a spicier kick.
• Fresh Apple Cider: I've used apple juice in a pinch; it's not as rich, but it still works well.
• Averna Amaro: For a different twist, substitute with another amaro like Ramazzotti or Amaro del Capo. Even a splash of coffee liqueur can do the trick: the final result will differ from the original taste but it will still make for a delicious cocktail.
• Fresh Lemon Juice: You can use bottled lemon juice in a pinch, but the flavor will be less bright and fresh. Another option is to use fresh lime juice for a slightly different citrus kick.
• Demerara Sugar Syrup: You can easily make your own Demerara sugar syrup at home: simply mix together 2 parts powdered Demerara sugar and 1 part water in a pan, stir to dissolve over low heat and wait for it to cool down to room temperature before using. If you’re running short on time and already have simple cane sugar syrup on hand, it can be used as a substitute although you may have to adjust the quantity and pour slightly more (start with ¼ ounce, give it a taste and add some more if necessary).
• Allspice Dram: If you can't find allspice dram, you can use another spicy syrup as a substitute, allspice, cinnamon or even pumpkin spice syrup are good substitutes to use in this cocktail.
• Angostura Bitters: If you are out of Angostura bitters, you can use orange or lemon bitters as a substitute. Other types of aromatic, heavily spiced bitters can also be used (for example, The Bitter Truth “Aromatic Bitters” are a good option if you can’t find Angostura or simply don’t like its characteristic taste).

Making a Pitcher of Flannel Shirt Cocktail:

• Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 14 oz of Scotch whisky, 12 oz of fresh apple cider, 4 oz of Averna amaro, 2 oz of fresh lemon juice, 1,5 oz of Demerara sugar syrup, 1,5 oz of allspice dram and 16 dashes of Angostura bitters.
• Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the Angostura bitters, Scotch whisky, fresh apple cider, Averna amaro, lemon juice, Demerara sugar syrup, and allspice dram. Add ice and stir well.
• Serve: Strain to remove the ice, serve immediately into ice-filled Old Fashioned glasses and garnish each glass with fresh apple slices. If you have some leftovers, be sure to keep it in the fridge (make sure no ice cubes are left inside) in an airtight container.

Making it Non-Alcoholic:

• Scotch Whisky Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic alternative; these are available and reasonably mimic whisky's depth. Use a non-alcoholic whisky substitute; several on the market do an excellent job of mimicking the smoky flavor of Scotch. If you’re feeling crafty, you can also make your own whisky substitute by making a strong brewed black or smoked tea: use 10g of tea for 1L (34 oz) of cold water. Stir well and let it infuse overnight in the fridge. Give it a taste, add some spices to taste (if necessary) and strain it once you’re happy with the result. Stored properly (in an airtight container in the fridge), this “tea-whisky” can be kept for up to a week.
• Averna Amaro Substitute: To mimic the complexity, opt for a non-alcoholic amaro; these are available in liquor stores and online.
• Angostura Bitters: You can add a drop of cinnamon and/or clove essence to your drink or substitute the sugar with cinnamon syrup to mimic the spicy kick of the bitters. Also note that a few dashes of bitter in an otherwise alcohol-free drink won’t raise the overall ABV of the drink; the drink will indeed chemically contain a drop of alcohol, but won’t make you intoxicated at all. Depending on your reason for not drinking alcohol and your degree of tolerance on the topic, you can choose to omit the bitters or to include them in your preparation.
• Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.