Ask Adam: Can Cooking With Bourbon Actually Improve a Dish?

The short answer is, yes. Just as cooking with wine or beer can add a depth of flavor and nuance to certain dishes, so, too, can cooking with bourbon. Plus, cooking with it means you can also enjoy a glass on the side as well.

You can use bourbon in a variety of ways, and in tons of different recipes. Try bourbon in chili to add spice and complexity; in desserts such as brownies; or even my very own brisket recipe. (Yes, I know the recipe title says that it’s a red wine sauce, but if you read the directions, you’ll see it can easily sub in bourbon.)

The options for incorporating bourbon into a dish, whether dinner or dessert, are endless. So, give cooking with bourbon a try, and don’t worry, the alcohol cooks off!