Pairing Beer With Maple Bourbon Wings: The Perfect Match

Maple bourbon chicken wings are a delicious treat, perfect for a summer grill or a Super Bowl party. But what beer should you drink with them? The wings have a sweet and sticky glaze, with a subtle smoky flavour from the bourbon, so you'll want a beer that will complement those flavours without being too overwhelming. A crisp, refreshing lager or pilsner would be a great choice to cut through the richness of the wings. Something like a German pilsner or a Helles lager would work well. If you're looking for something a little more robust, a brown ale or even a stout could stand up to the bold flavours of the wings. Whatever you choose, make sure it's something you enjoy!

Maple bourbon wings recipe ingredients

The key ingredients for making maple bourbon wings are chicken wings, maple syrup, and bourbon. Here is a detailed list of ingredients and steps to make mouth-watering maple bourbon wings:

Ingredients

• Chicken Wings: Use fresh, detached chicken wing pieces. You can opt for whole wings or separate flats and drummies. For easier eating, separate the wings into smaller sections.
• Maple Syrup: Use pure maple syrup, preferably Grade A dark amber, for a deeper colour and flavour.
• Bourbon: Any bourbon whiskey will do, but if you want to add a subtle smoky flavour, opt for a good bourbon.
• Dry Rub: Use your favourite dry rub for chicken, or simply season with salt and pepper.
• Tomato Paste: Adds depth of flavour and helps thicken the glaze.
• Vinegar: Use apple cider vinegar or distilled white vinegar to add a tangy flavour.
• Spices and Seasonings: This can include onion, garlic, rosemary, salt, pepper, hot sauce, or adobo sauce from a can of chipotles for a touch of heat.
• Butter: Melted butter is used in the sauce to add richness.
• Brown Sugar: Adds to the sweetness and helps thicken the glaze.
• Mustard: Dijon mustard or other types of mustard can be added for a tangy flavour.

Optional Ingredients:

• Olive Oil: Used to coat the raw chicken wing pieces before seasoning.
• Gochujang: A Korean fermented chilli paste that adds an earthy spiciness to the sauce.

Steps:

• Simple Prep Work: Coat the raw chicken wing pieces in olive oil and season them with a dry rub or salt and pepper.
• Grilling or Baking: Grill the wings over indirect heat at around 375 degrees Fahrenheit for 45-60 minutes, or bake them in an oven at 385 degrees Fahrenheit for 20 minutes on each side.
• Make the Glaze: Combine the maple syrup, bourbon, tomato paste, vinegar, spices, and other desired ingredients in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, then reduce the heat and simmer until the glaze thickens.
• Coat and Serve: Toss the grilled or baked wings in the maple bourbon glaze, serve, and enjoy!

How to make the glaze

The glaze for your maple bourbon wings should be sweet, spicy, and sticky. The key ingredients are maple syrup and bourbon, but you can add other ingredients to give it a little heat or a more complex flavour.

To make the glaze, melt some butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add a grated onion and cook for 2-3 minutes. Then, add your bourbon, maple syrup, and other ingredients such as tomato paste, hot sauce, rosemary, salt, pepper, brown sugar, or apple cider vinegar. Whisk everything together and bring to a low simmer for about 5- 8 minutes.

You can then use this glaze to marinate your wings for an hour or overnight. When you're ready to cook, preheat your oven to 385°F. Toss the wings with the glaze, arrange them on an oiled, foil-lined baking pan, and roast for 20 minutes. Turn the wings over and roast for another 15-25 minutes, or until nicely browned.

While the wings are roasting, boil the remaining glaze until it thickens. When the wings are done, toss them in a bowl with the thickened glaze and serve.

How to grill the wings

Grilling chicken wings is a great way to cook them, and there are a few ways to do it. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to grill chicken wings to perfection.

Preparation

Firstly, decide whether to use whole wings or separate the drumsticks and flats. Whole wings are cheaper and meatier, but smaller sections are easier to eat. If you opt for whole wings, you will need to break them down, saving the wing tips for stock.

Coat the raw wings in olive oil and season with salt, pepper, and your choice of dry rub. You can also add garlic powder for extra flavour.

Grilling

Preheat your grill to 425°F (or 375°F if you prefer a higher temperature to get the skin crispy) and set it for indirect heat. Place the wings directly on the grates and cook for 15-20 minutes, or until the internal temperature reaches 170-180°F. Flip the wings every 3-5 minutes to ensure even cooking and prevent burning.

Finishing

Remove the wings from the grill and let them rest for 10 minutes. If desired, toss the wings in a homemade maple bourbon sauce or your choice of BBQ sauce.

Tips

• For tender meat and crispy skin, grill over indirect heat and remove the wings when the internal temperature reaches 180°F.
• To avoid dry meat, pat the wings dry with a paper towel before seasoning and spraying with a high-heat cooking oil like avocado oil.
• Keep an eye on the temperature with a meat thermometer.
• If you want to marinate your wings, coat them in olive oil and your choice of seasoning, then leave them in the refrigerator for 4 hours to overnight.

Now you know how to grill chicken wings, it's time to learn what beer to drink with them!

How to make a homemade maple bourbon sauce

While there are many different types of beer, some sources suggest that an Indian Pale Ale (IPA) pairs well with chicken wings, especially those with a strong flavour like maple bourbon wings.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup maple syrup
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon brown sugar
• 1 tablespoon adobo sauce from canned chipotles
• A sprinkle of salt and pepper
• 3 tablespoons of bourbon

Instructions:

• Place the maple syrup, tomato paste, apple cider vinegar, brown sugar, adobo sauce, salt, and pepper in a small saucepan. Whisk to combine the ingredients and bring to a boil.
• Reduce the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the sauce has reduced slightly and thickened into a glaze. This should take around 10 minutes.
• Remove the saucepan from the heat and allow the sauce to cool. The sauce will continue to thicken as it cools.
• Once the sauce has cooled, you can use it to glaze your chicken wings or as a dipping sauce.

You can adjust the flavour of the glaze to your preference. For a sweeter glaze, add a little more brown sugar. For more savoury notes, use more bourbon.

How to store maple bourbon wings

Maple bourbon wings are best served fresh, but they can be stored for later if needed. Here's a detailed guide on how to store maple bourbon wings:

Storing the Uncooked Maple Bourbon Wings:

If you've made a big batch of marinade and coated the raw wings, it's best to store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They can be kept for up to 24 hours before cooking. This allows the flavours to penetrate the meat, making the wings even more delicious.

Storing the Cooked Maple Bourbon Wings:

Once the maple bourbon wings are cooked, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh for up to 3 days. If you want to keep them longer, consider freezing them. Place the wings in a freezer-safe, airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months.

Reheating the Maple Bourbon Wings:

To reheat the wings, preheat your oven to 350°F. Place the frozen or refrigerated wings on a baking sheet and heat them for about 15-25 minutes, or until they are heated through. You can also reheat them in a microwave, but the oven will give them a crispier texture.

Storing the Maple Bourbon Sauce:

The maple bourbon sauce can be made ahead of time and stored separately. Place the sauce in a jar with a tight-fitting lid and store it in the refrigerator. The sauce will last for about a week to two weeks. When you're ready to use it, take it out of the refrigerator and let it come to room temperature. You can also warm it up in a saucepan over low heat before tossing with the wings.

Storing Leftovers:

If you have leftover maple bourbon wings, they can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. The sauce tends to thicken as it sits, so you might need to add a little water or broth when reheating to thin it out. Reheat the wings and sauce together in a saucepan over low heat, stirring occasionally, until heated through.

Frequently asked questions