It’s time to stock up on rum, bourbon and beer. That trifecta — along with several other spirited splashes — makes a few appearances in this collection of 20 boozy recipes. Forget about Valentine’s Day — this Fat Tuesday, go all out and make a whole meal of the hard stuff beyondco*cktail hour. From hors d’oeuvres to dessert, it’ll make for a celebration you won’t soon forget… well, when enjoyed responsibly, of course.
1. Peel and Eat Beer-Steamed Shrimp: Drenched in an aromatic beer butter sauce, these shrimp sure know how to get a crowd to gather. (via Foodie Crush)
2. Pecan Chicken and Waffles: Plain ol’ maple syrup has nothing on the bourbon- and chile-flake-boosted drizzle applied to these appetizers. (via A Zest for Life)
3. New Orleans Barbecue Beer Shrimp: Bring a taste of the Big Easy home with these barbecue shrimp. (via The Beeroness)
4. Angoustura Bitters Glazed Popcorn: A generous helping of bitters provides each fluffy kernel of caramel corn with a wonderful herbal nuance. (via F+B Department)
5. Spicy Corn Crab Chowder: Andouille sausage and Tabasco sauce spice up this sherry-spiked chowder reallll nice. (via The Framed Table)
6. Oysters With Charred Finger Limes and Smoked Pepperberry Vodka: A DIY infused vodka takes freshly shucked oysters to new heights. Trust us, you won’t miss the usual Champagne one bit. (via heneedsfood)
Main Course
7. BBQ Beer Crockpot Chicken: Given that Fat Tuesday falls on a weeknight, this chicken cooked in a Crock Pot is especially welcome. (Fat Girl Trapped in a Skinny Body)
8. Pecan-Crusted Pork Tenderloin With Bourbon Mustard Sauce: Prepare yourself to fall for the Southern charm of the well-loved pecan and bourbon duo. (via A Cookbook Obsession)
9. Beer-Battered Yogurt Fried Chicken: You’ll love how a soak in a peppery yogurt mix makes these drumsticks oh-so tender underneath the crisp beer batter. (via Diethood)
10. Drunken Chicken Marsala With Tomatoes: Serve this marsala chicken over pasta or mashed potatoes to soak up every last drop of the boozy sauce. (via Pinch of Yum)
11. Bourbon Honey Grilled Flank Steak: Get ready to fire up the grill ’cause the possibilities are endless for this delicious flank steak. It makes for excellent tacos, a fab salad topper and is simply terrific thinly sliced and enjoyed unadorned. (via Bourbon and Honey)
12. Tequila Lime Shrimp Tacos: There’s no reason to miss out on Taco Tuesday just because it’s also Mardi Gras. (via That’s So Michelle)
13. Drunken Mussels: Akin to a creamy beer and shellfish stew, these mussels expertly take the chill off a cold February evening while delivering a lovely reminder of summer at the same time. (via Blogging Over Thyme)
14. Lager Tomato Soup With Mustard Grilled Cheese: No doubt, the combo of tomato soup and grilled cheese is an “mmm, mmm good” one. (via Yes to Yolks)
Dessert
15. Bourbon Chai Cookie Cups: A swirl of lemon- and chai-flavored frostings — both featuring a generous glug of bourbon — fill each spiced cookie cup just right. (via F+B Department)
16. Margarita Cheesecake: These single-serving, no-bake cheesecakes are a fun alternative to Jello shots at your shindig. (via Brit + Co)
17. Collapsing Chocolate Bourbon Pecan Pie Custard Cake: Chocolatey, gooey and boozy, this cake has got it goin’ on. Even better: It couldn’t be easier to make. (via Half Baked Harvest)
18. Drunken Cherry Coconut Ice Cream (Vegan): Spiced rum and coconut milk provide a hint of tropical flair to each scoop of this pecan- and chocolate-studded cherry ice cream. (via Rodelle Vanilla)
19. Caramel Apple Galette: A couple spoonfuls of vodka is the trick for making this galette crust extra flaky and delicious. (via Put on Your Cake Pants)
20. co*cktail Freezer Pops: Spiked popsicles are a fun way to sneakily indulge in a co*cktail, and these ice pops are no exception. With three flavors to choose from, there’s sure to be one that’s the perfect ending for your “booziest meal ever” menu. (via Brit + Co)
How do you incorporate the hard stuff into sweet and savory recipes? Share your spiked, non-co*cktail creations with us below!
Heather Sage
Heather Sage is a gluten-free recipe developer and freelance writer living in Orlando by way of the Silicon Valley. When she isn’t playing around with alternative flours in the kitchen, she can be found tackling DIY projects around the house or exploring her neighborhood. Check out her gluten-free recipe blog, A Sage Amalgam.
