Cooking with Whiskey: 10 Practical Approaches to Try

It is not hard to see why whiskey is such a revered spirit that is often highly prized and also much adored. If you are a lover of this tipple that is steeped in such history and share the passion that others have for all of the different taste experiences that are available across a diverse range of distillers, you are probably attracted to the idea of investing in whisky. Savvy investors from around the globe have been able to turn a passion for drinking whisky into a viable investment proposition, which really is a win-win scenario.

Of course, not all brands and bottles of whiskey are purchased for investment purposes. Plenty of bottles are regularly purchased for the purpose of enjoying a smooth drinking experience. It is also a versatile drink that can really elevate your cooking when you use it in some of your recipes.

If you are using alcohol as part of a recipe, it is likely that your first thought would be to use wine as the default option as it offers a host of culinary options. However, cooking with a spirit like whiskey broadens the horizon when it comes to recipe ideas. With that in mind, here’s a look at various ways to enjoy great tasting recipes by cooking and baking with whiskey.

Transform your baking with whiskey

Some accomplished bakers consider whiskey to be their secret weapon. If you add a splash of bourbon, for instance, it acts in much the same way as fermented water, but more intense.

Whiskey also becomes an excellent soaking agent if you are creating something like a batch of cinnamon rolls or sticky buns. Once you have experienced a bun that has been infused with a whiskey-infused cream it will become a firm favorite.

Add whiskey to your wet ingredients when baking and it will have a transformational impact on your cooking.

Whiskey and eggs are a good mix

Another baking trick that will likely surprise you is the idea that you can add a splash of bourbon whiskey to the yolks. For instance, if you are cooking a batch of cookies, the whiskey and egg combination during the emulsification process you will get great results, without moisture impacting the end product.

Don’t forget that eggs and whiskey are combined to produce a classic cocktail like eggnog, so the idea is not as out there as it might seem.

Lift the flavor of your caramel

If you are creating a recipe that calls for you to whip up some caramel, this is your chance to add some whiskey to the recipe.

Once you try a salted bourbon caramel and admire its sumptuous deep amber tone, and a flavor that is just as impressive, you will be thinking about adding whiskey every time you create caramel for a recipe.

Impress with a bourbon ganache

If you want to take your chocolate cake recipe to a new dimension the trick is to make a bourbon ganache. Even though a ganache is already going to taste denser and richer than a straightforward buttercream, you will raise the bar even higher when you add whiskey.

Go with your typical mix of dark chocolate and heavy cream, but add whiskey too. This will create a ganache that can be described as enticingly complex and flavorsome.

Don’t forget to add whiskey to more than just your BBQ sauce

If there is one recipe idea with whiskey that you are likely to be familiar with it’s adding the spirit to your BBQ sauce recipe. You can go beyond that to create a wide range of whiskey-infused sauces.

If you are cooking a pork belly, for instance, covering it with a blackberry barbecue sauce that has been infused with whiskey will be a sensational hit with your taste buds.

A great way to live up your salad dressing

Salads usually taste a whole lot better when you add a dressing. Although a classic vinaigrette is going to be tasty with a great combination of dijon mustard, garlic, and maybe tarragon vinegar added together, it takes on a whole new dimension when you add whiskey to the recipe.

The acidic notes of your vinegar help to elevate the taste of your whiskey and you end up with a vinaigrette that will bring out the best of any salad creation.

Create a gastronomic butter experience

Another simple but effective recipe idea involving the use of whiskey would be to add some to butter.

What you end up with when you add whiskey to butter, plus maybe some honey and nuts for good measure too, is a butter that helps make a simple ingredient like corn cobs taste absolutely amazing.

Creme anglaise won’t ever taste the same again once you add whiskey

It is not just savoury sauces and dishes where whiskey can elevate your taste experience. Having already suggested using whiskey in some baking recipes, another great option would be to use the spirit for creating a stunning creme anglaise.

It is fair to say that this can be a bit challenging to get right as the sauce has to be cooked at just the right pace and temperature, but once you nail the process, dessert will never be so popular.

Bread pudding shines with whiskey added

If you find the process of creating a creme anglaise using whiskey a bit daunting you might want to consider an alternative option of creating a gorgeous bread pudding infused with whiskey.

A good trick would be to soak your raisins in the whiskey beforehand, or you could just add a splash of whiskey to your wet ingredients.

Perfect for deglazing

Professional kitchens routinely carry out the deglazing process. It’s where you loosen up ingredients that have become stuck to the surface of the pan in order to create a delicious sauce.

Whiskey helps you get the most out of deglazing your pan at home, but be careful, as you need everything to cool down before adding your whiskey, as the alcohol will blaze on contact when the surface is too hot.

Take your time to cool down and then simmer once you have added the whiskey for best results.

As these great ideas demonstrate, whiskey is so versatile. It is amazing to drink, elevates numerous recipes, and can even prove to be a savvy investment proposition when you know what to look for.