BOOZY RECIPE FINDER

Alcohol in cooking isn't there just so we can slap the word bourbon on something and make it sound interesting.

Different bottles bring different flavors to the kitchen. Bourbon and whiskey work naturally with caramel, brown sugar, smoke, apples, and rich sauces. Rum is right at home with caramel, bananas, tropical flavors, and desserts. Wine can build a savory pan sauce, while beer works beautifully in braises, marinades, and hearty dishes.

The trick is to use enough to add flavor without letting it bulldoze everything else on the plate.

And here's something worth remembering: cooking with alcohol does not automatically remove all of the alcohol. How much remains depends on the cooking method, temperature, time, and recipe. If you're serving someone who needs to avoid alcohol completely, choose an alcohol-free recipe instead.

The recipes below give you the actual measurements and directions, so you don't have to stand over the skillet wondering whether “a splash” means a tablespoon or half the bottle.

Pick Something That Makes You Hungry

Use the Boozy Recipe Finder below to search dinners and desserts by recipe, ingredient, food type, or alcohol. See something dangerous to your diet plans? Open the recipe card for the complete ingredients and directions.

You can also print the full recipe card and take it into the kitchen without trying to cook dinner while scrolling around on your phone with garlic-covered fingers.