A delicious introduction.
They got along swimmingly. After a few weeks soaking the bourbon took on the color of the cherries and resembled the color of a rich red wine.
With the color soaked out of the cherries, they look a bit like Kalamata olives. But believe me the flavor is nothing like an olive. These will knock your socks off. The the cherries and bourbon make a tasty trio with cola as a very cherry Coke.
And then finally, some of the bourbon transformed into a killer BBQ sauce.
Cherry Bourbon BBQ Sauce |
- 2 T. canola oil
- 1/2 onion, diced
- 2 cloves garlic, chopped finely
- 8 plum tomatoes, roughly chopped
- 1/2 C. cherry bourbon*
- 1/4 C. ketchup
- 1/4 C. cider vinegar
- 2 T. spicy brown mustard
- 1 T. Worcestershire sauce
- 1 T. tomato paste
- 1 t. ancho chile powder
- 1 t. paprika
- 1 t. cayenne
- 1 jalapeño sliced (optional)
- salt and pepper to taste
- 2 T. brown sugar
- Heat oil in a large saucepan. Add onion and garlic and heat until soft, about 5 minutes.
- Stir in tomatoes and simmer for about 20 minutes.
- Add the rest of the ingredients of stir to combine, simmer about 20 minutes
- Puree the mixture in a food processor or blender.
- Cool and store for up to a week (or freeze).
Cherry infused bourbon: Pit fresh cherries and place in a jar. Pour bourbon over to cover. Store in cool place for 2 – 4 weeks.
Tangy and sweet, but not too sweet sauce. If you like it spicy, go with the jalapeño and maybe up some of the spices. This sauce will be meeting our grill soon!
My husband used to soak green grapes in vodka – I will definitely have to try the cherry bourbon to make that bbq sauce – it looks amazeballs! (and I’ll add the extra jalapeno!)
Grapes and vodka, might have to try that, freeze them up for “ice cubes”.
Hey, that’s the same bourbon we use to make our boozy cherries!….great minds!
You know it! Um, totally chose it based on the looks of the bottle then hoped for the best.
Hmm. I’m wondering what a bourbon Manhattan would taste like with this bourbon? 🙂
I enjoyed it! My husband preferred the bourbon in his Coke.