Bacon Cocktails

[Big Ben]

So our restaurant is going to have it's first inaugural celebration of bacon, and on this day, each menu item from appetizer to dessert will feature bacon. Our sous chef is hard at work on the menu and I am being charged with coming up with a cocktail menu with drinks either complimenting, or even better, including bacon. I plan on bacon infusing vodka and perhaps bourbon as well. I have never done an infusion before but would like some tips. More importantly, I obviously need some bacon cocktail recipes as well. I have been promised by the kitchen candied bacon to work with as well.

[weinoo]

You need to check out eGullet member donbert's (Don Lee) Benton's old-fashioned (first served at NYC bar PDT) to learn the technique of fat washing.

Click here.

[David A. Goldfarb]

I've had the Benton's Old Fashioned at PDT and the Del Sasser at Angel's Share in NYC (and when I've had it, it didn't have the bacon garnish shown in the photo, but I don't recall what the garnish was offhand--maybe a slice of orange). The Benton's Old Fashioned was smoother and more straightforward, but I liked the bacon/plum combination in the Del Sasser. I'd think bacon/pomegranate would be a nice combination as well. Angel's Share I think uses a house-smoked bacon, and the drink was smokier when I've had it.

[Doodad]

I got some bacon salt recently and thought it would make an excellent glass rim for the right drink.

[Dillon Burke]

About a year ago I had a Bacon inspired martini at DB Fishtail in NYC. I remember thinking 'liquid breakfast!' It was interesting, the drink itself focused more on a subtle maple taste and glass was rimmed in candied bacon crumbles. The concept was great, but ultimately it was far too odd a taste to palate for an entire drink. I'd just be cautious about (dare i say it) over-baconing' a drink.

I've thought about a chocolate-bacon cocktail, but balancing the tastes would be a thing of mass experimentation.

Goodluck

[johnder]

We also used to do the breakfast flip at PDT. Whole Egg, Bentons Bacon fat washed bourbon, maple syrup, and lemon. It was good, but very rich.

[Boilerfood]

Jamie Boudreau demonstrates fat washing here