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15 Ways to Have Your Whiskey and Eat It, Too

If bar crawls and green food dye aren't features of your ideal St. Patrick's Day celebration, try a laid-back boozed and infused menu that shows off the versatile taste of whiskey.

soy and whiskey glazed pork chops
Con Poulos

If bar crawls and green food dye aren't features of your ideal St. Patrick's Day celebration, try a laid-back boozed and infused menu that shows off the versatile taste of whiskey. Although we're technically not using Irish whiskey exclusively, it's the spirit of the celebration — not the details — that matter.

If you're entertaining a crowd, add some traditional Irish recipes and St. Patrick's Day-approved drinks to the mix.

1

Cajun Sausage Puffs with Bourbon Mustard

<p>Like a grown-up version of pigs in a blanket, these spicy chicken sausages are wrapped in buttery puff pastry, then baked and served with a tangy, bourbon-spiked mustard sauce.</p>
<p><strong>Recipe: <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/cajun-sausage-puffs-bourbon-mustard-recipe-rbk1211%22 target="_blank">Cajun Sausage Puffs with Bourbon Mustard</a></strong></p>
Raymond Hom

Like a grown-up version of pigs in a blanket, these spicy chicken sausages are wrapped in buttery puff pastry, then baked and served with a tangy, bourbon-spiked mustard sauce.

Recipe: Cajun Sausage Puffs with Bourbon Mustard

2

Spinach Salad with Bacon, Blue Cheese, and Bourbon Vinaigrette

<p>Your first clue that this is not your typical salad was that it contains both bacon and bourbon, two things rarely associated with healthy eating. Incorporated in this dish, they turn humdrum health food into an indulgent dinner you'll look forward to.</p>
<p><strong> Recipe:</strong> <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/spinach-salad-bacon-blue-cheese-bourbon-vinaigrette-recipe-clv0513%22 target="_blank">Spinach Salad with Bacon, Blue Cheese, and Bourbon Vinaigrette</a></p>
Grant Cornett

Your first clue that this is not your typical salad was that it contains both bacon and bourbon, two things rarely associated with healthy eating. Incorporated in this dish, they turn humdrum health food into an indulgent dinner you'll look forward to.

Recipe: Spinach Salad with Bacon, Blue Cheese, and Bourbon Vinaigrette

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3

Soy and Whiskey-Glazed Pork Chops

soy and whiskey glazed pork chops
Con Poulos

Add a kick to juicy pork chops with a "shot" of garlic- and ginger-infused whiskey glaze.

Recipe: Soy and Whiskey-Glazed Pork Chops

4

Grilled Cheese with Bourbon Melted Onions

<p>The rich sweetness of the caramelized onions with the added splash of bourbon will change your boring grilled cheese into a gourmet meal.</p>
<p><strong>Recipe: <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/grilled-cheese-bourbon-melted-onions-recipe-rbk0313%22 target="_blank">Grilled Cheese with Bourbon Melted Onions</a></strong></p>
Jonny Valiant

The rich sweetness of the caramelized onions with the added splash of bourbon will change your boring grilled cheese into a gourmet meal.

Recipe: Grilled Cheese with Bourbon Melted Onions

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5

Barley Soup with Scotch

<p>The idea for this hearty, risotto-style soup came to Frédéric Morin while he was sitting on a combine in his uncle's barley field. He could smell the peat from the neighboring farm, which reminded him of Scotch whisky. </p>
<p><strong>Recipe: <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/barley-soup-scotch-recipe-fw1011%22 target="_blank">Barley Soup with Scotch</a></strong></p>
Fredrika Stjärne

You have Frédéric Morin to thank for this luscious risotto-style soup; the idea came to him while he was sitting on a combine in his uncle's barley field. He could smell the peat from the neighboring farm, which reminded him of Scotch whisky.

Recipe: Barley Soup with Scotch

6

Bourbon BBQ Wings

<p>Bourbon adds a sweet kick to these classic barbecue chicken wings.</p>
<p><strong>Recipe: <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/bourbon-bbq-wings-recipe-ghk0113%22 target="_blank">Bourbon BBQ Wings</a></strong></p>
Kate Sears

Bourbon adds a sweet kick to these classic barbecue chicken wings. You should absolutely lick your fingers clean after downing a plate of these.

Recipe: Bourbon BBQ Wings

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7

Braised Brisket with Bourbon-Peach Glaze

<p>Following a quick sear on the stovetop, this beef cooks low and slow in the oven to ensure fork-tender results. An earthy cinnamon-paprika rub balances the richness of the fruit glaze.</p>
<p><strong>Recipe:</strong> <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/braised-brisket-bourbon-peach-glaze-clv0513%22 target="_blank">Braised Brisket with Bourbon-Peach Glaze</a></p>
Grant Cornett

Following a quick sear on the stovetop, this beef cooks low and slow in the oven to ensure fork-tender results. An earthy cinnamon-paprika rub balances the richness of the fruit glaze, which is accented with a punch of bourbon.

Recipe: Braised Brisket with Bourbon-Peach Glaze

8

Brian's Bourbon Chili

<p>The secret to this chili with a kick is a generous helping of bourbon and a sprinkle of lemon zest in the sour cream for a fresh, finishing flavor.</p>
<p><strong>Recipe: <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/brians-bourbon-chili-recipe-clv1012%22 target="_blank">Brian's Bourbon Chili</a></strong></p>
Marcus Nilsson

The secret to this chili with a kick is a generous helping of bourbon and a sprinkle of lemon zest in the sour cream for a fresh, finishing flavor.

Recipe: Brian's Bourbon Chili

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9

Double Bourbon-Pecan Pudding

<p>Don't let this dessert's innocent looks fool you: it may look like a lunchbox feature of your childhood, but there's bourbon folded into both the chocolate and whipped cream layers for a doubly indulgent treat.</p>
<p><strong>Recipe: <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/double-bourbon-pecan-pudding-recipe-rbk1112%22 target="_blank">Double Bourbon-Pecan Pudding</a></strong></p>
Hector Sanchez

Don't let this dessert's innocent looks fool you: it may look like a lunchbox feature of your childhood, but there's bourbon folded into both the chocolate and whipped cream layers for a doubly indulgent treat.

Recipe: Double Bourbon-Pecan Pudding

10

Beet Cake with Bourbon Sauce

<p>Michel Nischan's supermoist beet cake is layered with a silky, rich whiskey custard.</p><p><b>Recipe: </b><a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/beet-cake-bourbon-sauce-recipe-fw0212%22 target="_blank"><b>Beet Cake with Bourbon Sauce</b></a></p>
Constantine Poulos

Michel Nischan's supermoist beet cake is layered with a silky, rich whiskey custard. The whiskey is added after the custard has chilled so you get a wonderfully boozy pop.

Recipe: Beet Cake with Bourbon Sauce

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11

Chewy Irish-Coffee Blondies

<p>Skip the green food coloring. We've raised the bar for Saint Patty's Day desserts. These blondies are enriched with Irish coffee-inspired flavors — ground coffee in the batter, whiskey in the sugar glaze. And you don't have to pull out the heavy stand mixer: A bowl and a wooden spoon will do.</p>
<p><b>Recipe: <a
href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/chewy-irish-coffee-blondies-recipe-mslo0314%22 target="_blank"> Chewy Irish-Coffee Blondies</a></b></p>
Courtesy of Martha Stewart Living

These blondies are enriched with Irish coffee-inspired flavors — ground coffee in the batter, whiskey in the sugar glaze. And you don't have to pull out the heavy stand mixer: A bowl and a wooden spoon will do.

Recipe: Chewy Irish-Coffee Blondies

12

Bread and Butter Pudding with Whiskey Crème Anglaise

<p>Bread and butter pudding with whiskey crème anglaise is made with buttered slices of brioche and spiked custard sauce.</p>
<p><b>Recipe: <a
href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/bread-butter-pudding-whiskey-creme-anglaise-recipe-opr0310%22 target="_blank"> Bread and Butter Pudding with Whiskey Crème Anglaise</a></b></p>
Fredrika Stjärne

Bread and butter pudding with whiskey crème anglaise is made with buttered slices of brioche and spiked custard sauce.

Recipe: Bread and Butter Pudding with Whiskey Crème Anglaise

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13

Whiskey Chai

<p>For this warm, boozy nightcap, you can use a bland of whole spices, or a prepackaged chai spice blend if you're in a pinch.</p>
<p><strong>Recipe: <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/whiskey-chai-recipe-fw0813%22 target="_blank">Whiskey Chai</a></strong></p>
© Fredrika Stjärne

For this warm, boozy nightcap, you can use a blend of whole spices, or a prepackaged chai spice blend if you're in a pinch. After showing how it can brighten a recipe, let whiskey show you its cozier side.

Recipe: Whiskey Chai

14

Sazerac Cocktail

Credited as the birthplace of the first mixed drink with its signature cocktail, the Sazerac, The Roosevelt's Sazerac Bar has undeniable bragging rights. The Sazerac is a mixture of rye whiskey, bitters, simple syrup, and Herbsaint liqueur.
 Recipe: Sazerac Cocktail
Courtesy of The Roosevelt

Credited as the birthplace of the first mixed drink with its signature cocktail, the Sazerac, The Roosevelt's Sazerac Bar has undeniable bragging rights. The Sazerac is a mixture of rye whiskey, bitters, simple syrup, and Herbsaint liqueur.

Recipe: Sazerac Cocktail

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15

Irish Coffee

<p>Irish coffee is the perfect finale to a St. Patrick's Day feast or a weekend brunch.</p>
<p><strong>Recipe:</strong> <a href="http://gogonow.org/recipefinder/irish-coffee-recipe-mslo0513%22 target="_blank"><strong>Irish Coffee</strong></a></p>
Courtesy of Martha Stewart

Irish coffee is the perfect finale to a St. Patrick's Day feast or a weekend brunch. Add a generous dollop of whipped cream and you have a stiff drink that doubles as a dessert.

Recipe: Irish Coffee

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