Pairing Beer And Bourbon: Finding The Perfect Match

Bourbon is a versatile drink that pairs well with many foods and mixers. Its sweet and complex flavours, with notes of vanilla, caramel, and oak, make it a great complement to a range of dishes and drinks. When it comes to food, bourbon pairs well with dark chocolate, grilled meats, caramel-based desserts, spicy foods, cheese, citrus fruits, and nuts. As for mixers, bourbon can be combined with everything from coffee to ginger beer, creating refreshing cocktails or drinks on their own.

Bourbon and ginger ale/beer

The cocktail is a great party drink and can be served in a tall glass filled with ice cubes. It is a perfect drink to warm up with during winter or cool down with in the summer.

For the bourbon, you can use Maker's Mark, Knob Creek, or Bulleit for a cleaner flavour. Alternatively, try Old Forester, Woodford Reserve, or Angel's Envy for a more flavourful bourbon.

If you're feeling adventurous, you can even make your own homemade ginger ale to control the sweetness and gingery flavour of the drink.

So, whether you're looking to warm up or cool down, the bourbon and ginger ale/beer cocktail is a great choice. It's easy to make, and you can customise it to your taste preferences.

Bourbon and coke

The ideal ratio for a Bourbon and Coke is 1 part bourbon to 2 parts coke. This ensures the flavours complement each other perfectly. It's best to use a bourbon with sweet, spicy flavours, such as corn or rye bourbon, as the coke can easily overpower the alcohol. However, it's worth noting that the better the quality of the alcohol, the better the drink. Some recommended bourbons include Crown Royal and Dewars Scotch Whisky.

To make the drink, fill a tall glass with ice cubes and add 50ml of bourbon. Top up the glass with 150ml of coke and add a lime wedge to garnish. Some people also like to add a squeeze of lemon or lime juice to the drink, as the citrus cuts through the sweetness of the coke.

For a truly special Bourbon and Coke, you can make your own clear ice at home. Clear ice is crystal clear and adds a fancy touch to your drink. It's also important to note that the bubbles are an important factor in a Bourbon and Coke. If you pour room-temperature coke over ice, you'll lose a lot of the carbonation, so it's best to use ice-cold coke and no ice.

So, there you have it! A simple yet effective cocktail, perfect for any occasion.

Bourbon and soda water

To make this drink, start by adding your preferred bourbon to a Collins glass. Fill the glass with soda water and top it off with ice. For a touch of flavour and colour, you can garnish the drink with a lemon wheel and a mint sprig. This simple yet elegant cocktail is perfect for those who appreciate the smooth taste of bourbon with a refreshing twist.

The Bourbon Rickey, a variation of this drink, includes freshly squeezed lime juice, adding a tart and dry flavour to the combination of bourbon and soda water. This cocktail was named after Colonel Joe Rickey, a Democratic lobbyist from the late 19th century who favoured drinks with zero sugar. The Bourbon Rickey is a historical drink that offers a delightful balance of flavours and is perfect for those who enjoy their cocktails on the drier side.

When it comes to food pairings with bourbon, there are several options to consider. The versatility of bourbon allows it to pair well with a range of dishes, from sweet to savoury. Here are some classic combinations to enhance your bourbon experience:

• Dark Chocolate: The slight bitterness of dark chocolate beautifully complements the sweetness and complexity of bourbon.
• Grilled Meats: The smoky flavours of grilled meats, such as steak or barbecue, pair wonderfully with the bold and robust notes of bourbon.
• Caramel-based Desserts: The caramel notes in bourbon make it an ideal companion for desserts like caramel flan or salted caramel cake.
• Spicy Foods: The smoothness of bourbon balances out the spice and heat in dishes like chilli, curry, or spicy wings.
• Cheese: Bourbon pairs exceptionally well with blue cheese, cheddar, or gouda. The richness and creaminess of the cheese enhance the flavours of the spirit.
• Citrus Fruits: The bright, zesty flavours of oranges and lemons provide a refreshing contrast to the depth and richness of bourbon.

Bourbon and apple cider

The Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you will need the following ingredients:

• Apple cider (preferably fresh and real, but apple juice can be used as a substitute)
• Bourbon
• Ginger beer or ginger ale (for an extra kick of ginger)
• Maple syrup (optional, but adds a nice touch of sweetness)
• Apple wedges for garnish

Preparation

Preparing this cocktail is simple and easy. Combine the apple cider, bourbon, and maple syrup (if using) in a cocktail shaker filled with ice and shake until very cold. If you are serving a crowd, you can combine these ingredients in a pitcher and refrigerate for at least an hour.

Once chilled, strain the mixture into ice-filled glasses and top with the chilled ginger beer or ginger ale. Stir gently and garnish with an apple wedge.

For an extra touch of elegance, you can rim the glasses with a mixture of sugar and cinnamon. Simply rub the edge of the glass with maple syrup or cider, and then dip it into a plate of cinnamon and sugar.

Variations

This cocktail can also be served warm, making it an ideal choice for a cosy night in. To serve it warm, simply heat the apple cider, lemon juice, and maple syrup together. You can do this in a small saucepan on the stove or carefully heat it in the microwave. Add the bourbon after heating to avoid evaporation.

You can also get creative with your garnishes. Try using a cinnamon stick or a sprig of fresh thyme instead of an apple wedge, or add a twist of lemon or orange for a pop of colour.

Final Thoughts

The bourbon and apple cider cocktail is a delightful blend of sweet and tart flavours, perfect for welcoming the fall season. It is easy to make and can be customised to your taste, so feel free to experiment with the ingredients and find your ideal combination. Cheers!

Bourbon and chocolate

There is a shared chemistry between the oak barrels in which bourbon rests and chocolate. Both contain molecules such as acetylpyrrole, vanillin, tannins and lactones.

When pairing bourbons and chocolates, it is important to consider the light-to-dark chocolate spectrum. White chocolate, for example, has a high-fat content that can complement full-proof bourbon such as Booker's or Stagg. Milk chocolate, a smooth balance of sweet and rich flavours, pairs well with spicy bourbons like Bulleit 10 Year and Elmer T. Lee. Extra dark chocolate, with its depth of flavours and touch of bitterness, provides a counterpoint for sweet, full-bodied bourbons like Russell's Reserve 10 Year and Woodford Reserve Double Oaked.

For those who enjoy a darker chocolate, the sweet spot is between 70% to 75% pure chocolate, but feel free to go higher. The bourbon's unique flavour is also enhanced by the water source and other ingredients. The amount of sunlight the cocoa trees receive, as well as the soil composition, can change the flavour matrix of the bar.

When sipping neat or on the rocks, it is recommended to stage the pairing from lightest to strongest, moving from low to high proof. It is also important to break up the tasting with a little cheese to give your palate a break, and to take notes to avoid any one palate from overriding the group.

For those who want to get creative, bourbon can be infused into chocolate. Finely grind a quarter-cup of cocoa nibs and add them to 2 cups of bourbon, then shake vigorously. Taste-check every few days until the desired flavour is achieved, which usually takes about one to two weeks.

Chocolate can also be added to bourbon. A popular example is bourbon balls, a staple of Kentucky hospitality, which are made with a centre of bourbon-infused sweetened butter, coated in chocolate and topped with a pecan.

Frequently asked questions