With Valentine’s Day right around the corner, you might be keeping an eye out for ideas and recipes that spoil the love in your life. I know I am. We’re not big on Valentine’s Day dinner dates, but we do tend to mark the occasion with a festive celebration at home. And when we do, we like to raise a toast to all things love and romance. This particular cocktail is perfect for just such festivities. If you’re in the market for something extra special that’s perfect for sharing, this might be a recipe you want to save on Pinterest. After all, isn’t a Bacon Washed Bourbon Champagne Cocktail something you need a little more of in your life?
During our recent trip to New York City, we indulged in a delicious and decadent brunch at a restaurant called the Blue Dog. When my husband and I decide to indulge in a delicious and decadent brunch, you can bet your bottom dollar that we will indeed be imbibing and that was exactly the situation during our Blue Dog brunch. We both ordered sparkling wine cocktails. Mine was a girlie concoction that included rose water and the teensiest floating edible flower. His was a much more masculine variety. It featured “duck fat washed scotch.” Prior to our Blue Dog experience, neither of us had ever heard of duck fat washed anything and we were admittedly curious.
As it turns out, we both really enjoy things washed in duck fat. And so we got to thinking if duck fat was good, pig fat would be all the better. When we returned home from our trip, we promptly set out on creating a twist on the Blue Dog cocktail. That, my friends, is where this Bacon Washed Bourbon Champagne Cocktail comes into play. It walks a fine line between sophisticated and down home. The bubbly gives it class but the bacon gives it character.
Drinking anything washed in fat is the most odd (and, of course, by odd I mean beautiful) taste sensation. There most definitely is a discernible bacon flavor in this cocktail. It plays quite nicely with the bourbon.
If you’ve never tried a fat washed cocktail, you simply must give it a go. Your inner foodie will be rewarded.
BACON WASHED BOURBON CHAMPAGNE COCKTAIL
Ingredients
- 1 teaspoon bacon grease
- 1/3 cup bourbon
- 4 teaspoons genuine maple syrup
- 16 oz. champagne or sparkling wine
Instructions
TO MAKE THE BACON WASHED BOURBON:
- Fry 6-8 slices of bacon in a skillet. After bacon has cooked completely, but before grease starts to burn, strain one teaspoon into a small glass jar that has a lid (we use mini Mason jars).
- Add bourbon to the small glass jar. Put the lid on and shake well to mix the grease and bourbon.
- Place the jar in the freezer overnight.
- Remove the jar. The bacon grease will be congealed at the top. Use a spoon to scoop it off.
- Strain bourbon through cheesecloth or a fine mesh strainer to remove any remaining grease.
TO MAKE THE COCKTAIL:
- Add one teaspoon of maple syrup to each champagne glass.
- Add 1/2 tablespoon of bacon washed bourbon to the glass.
- Pour in four ounces of champagne.
- Raise a toast to your wonderful life.
Notes
Adding slightly more bacon grease will intensify the flavor. I leave that up to you.
Also, feel free to add more bacon washed bourbon to the cocktail. These dimensions are a good starting point but take some creative freedom with your cocktail.
Nutrition Information:
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 166Total Fat: 1gSaturated Fat: 0gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 8mgFiber: 0gSugar: 5gProtein: 0g
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This is even delicious if you aren’t a bacon fanatic!
I tried this recipe on Saturday to test it out for my husband. I am not a bacon and bourbon kind of girl, so I was really only making it for him, but immediately fell in love. It is hands down the best mimosa I’ve ever tasted. He was lucky to get a taste.
I am chilling champagne as we speak for this cocktail!
Oh wow. Just so happens I have some champagne in the fridge right now. Guess we will be having these with our bacon pesto sandwiches on Saturday!
I mean…when you live in the Bourbon capital of the world, why not? Don’t forget to infuse your bourbon ahead of time.