Bring on the bourbon: Super Bowl food with a bourbon focus

Forget the beer and chips this Sunday. For this year’s big game let bourbon influence the Super Bowl food.

While the Super Bowl commercials focus on beer, chips and all types of snacks, these options aren’t the only Super Bowl food served. Still, no one wants the same old chicken wings or boring pizza at his Super Bowl party. Football gatherings, especially for the big game, are culinary extravaganzas.

A quick search of Instagram, Pinterest or even Facebook shows that everyone wants to broadcast his culinary supremacy. From the elevated dishes inspired by celebrity chefs to those Tasty video food hacks, no one wants to admit that he bought all the big game grub.

Bring on the bourbon: Super Bowl food with a bourbon focus, photo provided by EVINS Communications

To make this year’s Super Bowl food stand out a little more, why not go with a theme. Sure beer and guacamole are always great, why not pick a different theme. Bourbon is one of the most popular spirits right now.

Bourbon, whether drunk straight or in a cocktail, is a popular liquor. Both men and women love the only American liquor. From a small pour served neat to the classic Manhattan, bourbon isn’t your dad’s liquor.

When it comes to Super Bowl food, let bourbon guide the Super Bowl feast. First, take a look at the classic chip and dip.

Bring on the bourbon: Super Bowl food with a bourbon focus, photo provided by EVINS Communications

Bourbon Onion Dip

Chips and dip are a favorite football watching snack. Whether you prefer a wavy potato chip or a kettle cooked one, those chips just are more satisfying when smothered in some dip. Onion dip is always a popular choice with potato chips.

The onion dip/potato chip combination reminds people of a classic baked potato. Often, that loaded baked potato is extremely satisfying. But, who wants to serve baked potatoes at a Super Bowl party?

Since bourbon is the theme for the Super Bowl food, this bourbon onion dip combines the flavors. The robust combination of bourbon and caramelized onions is a definite winner. The only problem with this dip is having enough for the second half of the game.

"Bourbon Onion DipServes 6-10Ingredients:• 4 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil• 2 large sweet onions/Vidalia’s, peeled, halved, sliced thinly with the grain• 1 teaspoon salt• ½ cup Maker’s Mark® plus 1 tablespoon• ¾ cup Greek yogurt• ½ cup fresh ricotta cheese• ½ cup sour cream• Few drops lemon juice• Pinch sugar• Salt and pepper to taste• Crudité vegetables and chips for dippingDirections:In a wide heavy-bottomed pot, heat the olive oil over high heat. Add the sliced onions and the teaspoon of salt. Sauté the onions, stirring often until they begin to soften, 5 to 6 minutes. Reduce the heat to medium and continue to stir and cook the onions until they begin to color, about another 15 minutes. Add 1/2 cup of bourbon to the pan and stir in. Reduce the heat to low and cook the onions for another 30 to 40 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the onions have colored and caramelized. Remove the onions from the pan and spread on a plate or baking sheet to cool in the fridge. Using a food processor or blender, combine the ricotta and yogurt and process until smooth. Transfer the mixture to a bowl. Fold in the sour cream. Once the onions have cooled, rough chop them briefly. Fold into the mixture and season to taste with lemon juice, sugar, salt and pepper. Serve the dip cold with crudité and chips."

A good Super Bowl party host can’t just serve chips and dip. What about some bourbon chicken wings?

Bring on the bourbon: Super Bowl food with a bourbon focus, photo provided by EVINS Communications

Bourbon Apple Glazed Chicken Wings

As FoodSided discussed, chicken wing consumption is staggering. With 1.3 billion wings eaten, chicken wings are everywhere on Super Bowl Sunday. Of course, everyone has his favorite style of chicken wing. From super spicy to sweet and smoky, a Super Bowl party host cannot have a smorgasbord of chicken wing flavors.

Since bourbon is the Super Bowl food theme, let the bourbon flavor the chicken wings. This recipe for Bourbon Apple Glazed Chicken Wings focuses on tangy, sweet flavors. Since the wings are baked, the Super Bowl party host doesn’t have to worry about frying disasters.

Make a several batches mid-afternoon and heat them in the oven as needed. Just keep plenty of napkins handy. No one wants stinky fingers for the high fives.

"Bourbon Apple Glazed Chicken WingsPrep Time: 10 minutesCook Time: 1 hourReady In: 1 hour 10 minutesIngredients:• 2 lbs chicken wings, trimmed• 1 cup Maker’s Mark® Bourbon• 1 can frozen apple juice concentrate, thawed (12 ounces)• 1/2 cup soy sauce• 1/4 cup cider vinegar• 1/4 cup dark brown sugar• 4 large cloves garlic, minced• 1 teaspoon salt• 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper• 1 tablespoon maple syrupDirections:Combine all of the ingredients in a medium pot. Bring to boil on high heat and then reduce to a simmer for 30-40 minutes until the wings are tender and the glaze has reduced, coating the wings. Preheat the oven to 325°F.Remove the wings from the pot and transfer to a parchment lined sheet tray. Bake for 15-20 minutes until the wings begin to color and the glaze becomes shiny. Garnish with minced scallions and apple. Serve immediately."

All those sticky, tangy and sweet chicken wings can work up quite a thirst. Don’t leave your guests without a winning Super Bowl beverage.

Bring on the bourbon: Super Bowl food with a bourbon focus, photo provided by EVINS Communications

Touchdown Punch Bowl

Whether you are toasting a victory or drowning a defeat, a good cocktail is a Super Bowl food must. Of course, plenty of water, soda and other beverages are must haves, but a good cocktail can push a Super Bowl party to greatness.

Punches have soared in popularity recently. Since the host doesn’t have to mix drinks throughout the party, the punch bowl is a convenient way to have a signature party cocktail. The key to a good punch is that it balances flavors.

This particular punch is refreshing and sippable. The balance of flavors is pleasant, yet nothing is overpowering. Whether the guests are eating chicken wings, dip or other Super Bowl food, the punch can work with a variety of choices.

Just remember, don’t add ice to the punch bowl. Leave a container with ice to the side. Having ice in a punch bowl dilutes the punch’s flavor. No one will cheer for a water downed punch.

"Touchdown Punch BowlCreated by Matt Wallace, MixologistIngredients:1 liter Maker’s Mark® Bourbon1 cup granulated sugarPeels of 3 lemons and 1 orangeJuice of peeled fruit1 liter of strong tea (preferably green tea)250 ml champagne (club soda can be used for a less fancy version)Freshly grated nutmeg*Directions:Combine sugar and citrus peels in the bottom of a punch bowl. Muddle together until sugar starts to clump together. Let sit for about 2 hours, (while not necessary, this does add a little complexity). Brew the tea for about 30 minutes, remove loose tea or tea bags and allow to cool. Add the juice of the peeled fruit, tea and bourbon. Stir. Top with champagne just before serving and stir gently. Top with freshly grated nutmeg and serve."

Next: Celebrity chef Anne Burrell talks football food

Whether you are an Eagles fan, Patriots fan, football fan or just want to be part of the excitement, a Super Bowl party can be a wonderful excuse to throw a party. Personally, I will be watching all the Super Bowl commercials after I’ve created our bourbon Super Bowl food spread.