Maker's Mark Bourbon Dinner Pairing Menu
The unique and artisan nature of Maker’s Mark allows for a different family of food pairing versus the typical American BBQ foods. The complexity of Maker’s Mark offers a wide catchment of complex ingredients.
The Menu
Starter:
Clam chowder fritters with creamed corn, smoked ham hock and white asparagus.
Main:
Low and slow red wheat rubbed beef brisket, buttermilk slaw, hush puppies, pickles and Maker’s Mark with toasted orange BBQ mop sauce.
Dessert:
Maker’s Mark pecan pie, scorched marshmallow, fresh blueberry sauce.
Cheese Pairing:
Freight house bourbon cheese dip with poppy seed pretzels.
Sweet Pairing:
Maker’s Mark mint julep fudge.
Taste Profile:
Caramel and oak.
Pairing Rationale:
The distinctive caramel and vanilla aroma of Maker’s Mark compliments the slow cooked beef whilst the subtle sweetness and light, spicy flavour of the bourbon enhances the flavour profile of the slaw and pickles.
Welcome Drink: Mint Julep
Vessel: Julep cup
Ice: Crushed Ice
Garnish: Mint Sprig
Ingredients:
50ml Maker’s Mark Bourbon
10ml Sugar syrup (or to taste)
6-8 Fresh mint leaves
Method:
Place mint leaves and sugar syrup into julep cup and muddle.
Fill cup with crushed ice, pour over Maker’s Mark Bourbon and churn together.
Comments:
Fruit syrups can replace sugar syrup to compliment your menu or season.
Main Course: Southern Splash
Vessel: Highball / Collin's glass
Ice: Cubed Ice
Garnish: Orange Wedge
Ingredients:
25ml Maker’s Mark Bourbon
15ml Cointreau
15ml Fresh lemon juice
Chilled Ginger ale to top
Method:
Pour Maker’s Mark Bourbon, Cointreau and lemon juice over ice and stir.
Top with ginger ale and stir again.
Garnish with orange wedge.
Dessert: High Sheriff
Vessel: Rocks glass
Ice: Ice ball or cubed
Garnish: Grated nutmeg
Ingredients:
25ml Maker’s Mark Bourbon
25ml Drambuie
25ml ½ & ½
5ml honey syrup
Method:
Shake all ingredients over ice and strain over ice ball.
Garnish with grated nutmeg.
Cheese Pairing: New York Sour
Vessel: Rocks Glass
Ice: Ice ball or cubed
Garnish: Orange twist
Ingredients:
50ml Maker’s Mark Bourbon
25ml Fresh lemon juice
12.5ml Sugar syrup (to taste)
Egg white or foamer
12.5ml Red Wine float
Method:
Shake all ingredients apart from the Red Wine in a Boston shaker with ice and strain over ice ball.
Float Red Wine over drink and garnish.
Comments:
Aquafaba can be used for a vegan alternative to egg white.
Sweet Pairing: Old Fashioned
Vessel: Rocks glass
Ice: Ice ball or cubed ice
Garnish: Orange peel
Ingredients:
50ml Maker’s Mark Bourbon
15ml maple syrup (or to taste)
2 dashes Angostura Bitters
2 dashes Angostura Orange Bitters
Method:
Stir down the Maker’s Mark, syrup and bitters in a mixing glass to desired dilution.
Strain over an ice ball in a rocks glass and garnish with an orange zest.
Comments:
Seasonal twists and other garnishes can be used.
Snack Pairing: Starhill Spritz
Vessel: Copa or large wine glass
Ice: Cubed Ice
Garnish: Orange wheel
Ingredients:
25ml Maker’s Mark Bourbon
25ml Aperol
12.5ml passion fruit syrup
Chilled Prosecco to lengthen
Method:
Fill glass with cubed ice and pour over Maker’s Mark, Aperol and fruit syrup.
Stir ingredients together, top up with ice and lengthen with Prosecco Sparkling Wine.
Gently stir again and garnish with an orange wedge.
