2023 Q2 Spirited VA - 34

n outdoor barbecue blends an abundance of
Americans' favorite things. A cookout can include
delicious grilled meats and vegetables, fresh air,
sunshine and gentle breezes, and fun times with
friends and family members. As Diva Q Danielle
Dimovski of " BBQ Crawl " said, " Fire plus wood plus
meat equals awesome, captivating, never-ending
delicious fun. And the people make it special, too. "
Pair these benefits with cocktails and bring
perfection even closer.
* Honey bourbons, offering a touch
more sweetness, as in the caramelization
of grilled foods.
* Maple whiskeys, using natural flavoring
or finished in maple syrup barrels.
Many perfect spirits can be found at
culinary experts at Kerry North American
Brands suggest the following tips in pairing
your cocktails with a barbecue:
* Rich, dark liquors like bourbon and
whiskey go well with the smokiness of
BBQ dishes like brisket and pulled pork.
If you don't want to drink it straight, we
recommend mixing up a Bourbon Lemonade-the
slightly tart taste of lemon
cuts the smokiness of both the bourbon
and BBQ.
* Mix up a Whiskey and Cola. Some
barbecue recipes actually call for cola or
cherry-flavored dark soda to impart a
sticky sweet flavor. What better way to
play off these flavors than combining the
sweet taste of cola with the caramel and
smoky notes of whiskey?
* Enjoy a Spicy Margarita. A spicy
margarita is a simple way to pack a lot of
flavor into one drink. Muddle a few slices
your Virginia ABC store all year, while
others are available only briefly. To stay
aware of limited releases, make frequent
visits to your store and the ABC website
(ABC.Virginia.gov) and sign up for the
Spirited Virginia newsletter.
Possible pairings. Products from Virginia-based
Copper Fox start with locally
grown grains that have been malted at the
distillery using select fruitwoods, including
toasted applewood and cherrywood.
VHW Port Cask Finished Whisky from
Virginia Distillery Co.: Finished in port
casks, this whisky mingles barrel smoke
with fruit sweetness and hints of cocoa,
cinnamon, clove and caramelized sugars.
Virginia's Ironclad Distillery offers
at your local store or online, look for
descriptors including:
* Double cask aged, for more oak-imparted
flavors.
two whiskeys that marry oaky-smoky
sweetness, Sweeter Creations Maple
Syrup Cask and AR's Hot Southern Honey
Cask bourbon.
Blackened American Whiskey is a blend
of straight whiskeys finished in black brandy
A
Pair your Barbecue
with the Right Drinks
While you're wielding your grilling skills,
you can work on your chilling skills with
a relaxing drink. Knowing which liquors
and cocktails complement a cookout wraps
the experience up with a matching bow.
Sip while waiting on the grill or smoker,
or pair with the meal.
Follow basic pairing guidelines. The
of jalapeño, add tequila and Margarita
mix for a drink that pairs perfectly with
smoky sweet barbecue.
* Celebrate the spirit of summer with
rum drinks. Dark rum is another flavor
that pairs really well with the smokiness
and savory flavor of barbecue. The warming
spices complement the slight sweet flavor
of classic barbecue sauce. Rum is a great
pairing, especially with Caribbean-style
barbecue, paired with flavors like pork
and pineapple.
Indulge in smoke-kissed spirits.
Many whiskeys impart flavors that naturally
complement an outdoor cookout.
These can be smoky or even slightly sweet,
mirroring the best smoked and caramelized
brisket burnt ends. (Peated whiskies may
not pair well since the smoky essence
from peat could clash with the flavors
from wood and charcoal smoke.) Mezcals
present another natural companion,
gently massaging your senses with their
smokiness.
When browsing Virginia ABC shelves,
34 VIRGINIA ABC | ABC.VIRGINIA.GOV
http://ABC.Virginia.gov http://ABC.VIRGINIA.GOV
2023 Q2 Spirited VA

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