Cleaning our your liquor cabinet? These flavorful recipes will put the leftovers to good use.
27 Recipes to Make with a Splash of Liquor
Updated on Sep. 13, 2024
1/27
Brownie Bourbon Bites
Total Time
35 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
Chocolate and chopped pecans flavor these simple, spirited treats. Make a double batch so you can give some as gifts and savor the rest!—Paula Kirchenbauer, Newton, New Jersey
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 110 calories, 7g fat (3g saturated fat), 9mg cholesterol, 35mg sodium, 10g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
Liquor: 1/4 cup bourbon
2/27
Penne alla Vodka
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This easy and impressive pasta is always on the menu when my husband and I invite first-time guests over for dinner. Many friends have asked me to make the recipe again years after they first tried it. —Cara Langer, Overland Park, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1-1/3 cups: 504 calories, 19g fat (11g saturated fat), 64mg cholesterol, 966mg sodium, 62g carbohydrate (6g sugars, 4g fiber), 19g protein.
Liquor: 1/4 cup vodka
3/27
Chocolate Pecan Pie
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
When my fiance first made this chocolate bourbon pecan pie for me, I declared it to be the best pie ever! Creamy chocolate combines with crunchy nuts in a great, gooey filling. We can't get enough of this recipe inspired by Kentucky Derby bourbon chocolate pecan pie. —Tanya Taylor, Cary, North Carolina
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 676 calories, 35g fat (14g saturated fat), 108mg cholesterol, 490mg sodium, 89g carbohydrate (70g sugars, 3g fiber), 7g protein.
Liquor:Â 1/4 cup bourbon
4/27
Bloody Mary Soup with Beans
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
16 servings (4 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
I love a good Bloody Mary, which inspired this recipe. The soup packs a spicy punch, and it'll warm you right up on a chilly day. —Amber Massey, Argyle, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup (calculated without toppings) : 99 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 405mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 4g protein.
Liquor:Â 1/4 cup vodka
5/27
Pork Medallions with Brandy Cream Sauce
Total Time
50 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I adapted this easy, elegant main dish from a recipe my mother-in-law cooked for our family. Cayenne lends a bit of heat to its rich, creamy sauce. —Judy Armstrong, Prairieville, Louisiana
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 937 calories, 55g fat (29g saturated fat), 210mg cholesterol, 577mg sodium, 72g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 39g protein.
Liquor:Â 1/4 cup brandy
6/27
Tequila-Lime Fruit Salad
Total Time
20 min
Servings
10 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Looking for a fast, colorful side to round out any meal? This refreshing fruit salad is pure perfection! —Angela Howland, Haynesville, Maine
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 139 calories, 1g fat (0 saturated fat), 0 cholesterol, 2mg sodium, 33g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 3g fiber), 1g protein.
Liquor:Â 3 tablespoons tequila
7/27
Bagel Bread Pudding with Bourbon Sauce
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
15 servings (1-1/3 cups sauce)
From the Recipe Creator:
I worked in a health club where bagels arrived daily, so I experimented with leftovers. I wasn’t a bread pudding fan until I tried it with bagels. —Kathy Hawkins, Gurnee, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 serving: 442 calories, 17g fat (10g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 346mg sodium, 65g carbohydrate (41g sugars, 2g fiber), 8g protein.
Liquor:Â 2 tablespoons bourbon
8/27
Chicken & Garlic with Fresh Herbs
Total Time
30 min
Servings
6 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The key to this savory chicken is the combination of garlic, fresh rosemary and thyme. I like to serve it with mashed potatoes or crusty Italian bread. —Jan Valdez, Lombard, Illinois
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken thigh with 2 tablespoons cooking juices: 203 calories, 11g fat (3g saturated fat), 76mg cholesterol, 346mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (0 sugars, 0 fiber), 22g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1/2 fat.
Liquor:Â 2 tablespoons brandy
9/27
Bourbon Pumpkin Tart with Walnut Streusel
Total Time
1 hour 30 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Because my husband loves pumpkin pie, I've looked high and low for that "perfect" recipe. But as soon as he tasted this tart, he told me to stop searching, declaring this the best he's ever tried! —Brenda Ryan, Marshall, Missouri
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 463 calories, 26g fat (14g saturated fat), 108mg cholesterol, 364mg sodium, 53g carbohydrate (29g sugars, 2g fiber), 6g protein.
Liquor:Â 1/4 cup bourbon
10/27
Brandy-Glazed Carrots
Total Time
30 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Carrots sport a light brandy sauce for a beautiful side with mass appeal. —Tammy Landry, Saucier, Mississippi
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 153 calories, 8g fat (5g saturated fat), 20mg cholesterol, 242mg sodium, 21g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 2g fiber), 1g protein.
Liquor:Â 1/4 cup brandy
11/27
Bourbon Bacon Jam
Total Time
45 min
Servings
3 cups
From the Recipe Creator:
You can slather this smoky bacon jam on pretty much anything. It lasts only a week in the fridge, so I freeze small amounts for a quick snack with crackers. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
2 tablespoons: 112 calories, 8g fat (3g saturated fat), 10mg cholesterol, 118mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 0 fiber), 2g protein.
Liquor:Â 1/2 cup whiskey
12/27
Pork Chops with Mushroom Bourbon Sauce
Total Time
50 min
Servings
2 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
The golden crusted pork chops are accompanied with a rich mushroom sauce. This scrumptious entree is loved by my family and makes a terrific company dish. This is wonderful served with mashed potatoes. —Nadine Mesch, Mount Healthy, Ohio
Nutrition Facts:
1 pork chop with 1/3 cup sauce: 646 calories, 42g fat (16g saturated fat), 202mg cholesterol, 601mg sodium, 20g carbohydrate (3g sugars, 2g fiber), 42g protein.
Liquor:Â 2 tablespoons bourbon
13/27
Glazed Spiced Rum Pound Cakes
Total Time
1 hour 15 min
Servings
2 loaves (16 pieces each)
From the Recipe Creator:
My recipe makes two loaf-sized treats, perfect for sharing. The spiced rum flavor really comes through in both the cake and the glaze. —Christine Russell, Littleton, New Hampshire
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 209 calories, 9g fat (5g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 161mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (17g sugars, 1g fiber), 3g protein.
Liquor:Â 1/3 cup + 2 teaspoons spiced rum
14/27
Barley Risotto and Beef Stroganoff
Total Time
1 hour 10 min
Servings
4 servings.
From the Recipe Creator:
I was missing my Russian grandma's barley porridge and beef stroganoff, so I combined the two dishes. Cook the barley using the risotto method to keep the grains whole and irresistibly chewy. —Tatiana Kireeva, New York, New York
Nutrition Facts:
4 ounces cooked steak with 1 cup barley: 463 calories, 15g fat (8g saturated fat), 74mg cholesterol, 859mg sodium, 48g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 9g fiber), 33g protein.
Liquor:Â 3 tablespoons Cognac or brandy
15/27
Banana Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 40 min
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
We have banana trees in our backyard that bear fruit all year. After making banana bread, muffins and cookies, I still had some of our bountiful crop left, so I decided to try this recipe. —Sera Smith, West Palm Beach, Florida
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 380 calories, 22g fat (11g saturated fat), 99mg cholesterol, 151mg sodium, 40g carbohydrate (31g sugars, 1g fiber), 5g protein.
16/27
Bourbon Barbecue Chicken Tacos
Total Time
3 hours 30 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I wanted to try a different take on taco night and decided on a barbecue theme. Even my father enjoyed this meal, and he doesn’t usually care for tacos. —LaDale Hymer, Cleveland, Oklahoma
Nutrition Facts:
1 taco: 387 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 47mg cholesterol, 855mg sodium, 58g carbohydrate (22g sugars, 4g fiber), 23g protein.
Liquor:Â 3 tablespoons bourbon
17/27
Warm Cabbage, Fennel and Pear Salad
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
This crunchy salad makes an elegant first course or side, but it's hearty enough to be an entree when paired with a crusty artisan bread. We love it served warm. —Grace Voltolina, Westport, Connecticut
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 391 calories, 26g fat (7g saturated fat), 19mg cholesterol, 810mg sodium, 28g carbohydrate (14g sugars, 8g fiber), 9g protein.
Liquor:Â 1/4 cup brandy or Cognac
18/27
Bourbon Candied Bacon Deviled Eggs
Total Time
45 min
Servings
2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
At our house, it doesn’t get any better than deviled eggs with bacon—bourbon candied bacon, that is. See if you can resist them. We can’t. —Colleen Delawder, Herndon, Virginia
Nutrition Facts:
1 stuffed egg half: 107 calories, 9g fat (2g saturated fat), 97mg cholesterol, 142mg sodium, 2g carbohydrate (2g sugars, 0 fiber), 4g protein.
Liquor:Â 2 teaspoons bourbon
19/27
Chicken Thighs with Tomato-Vodka Sauce
Total Time
30 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
I originally invented this scrumptious dish to celebrate a friend's 21st birthday, and it has since become a quick and easy family favorite. —Karen Kuebler, Dallas, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
1 chicken thigh with 1/3 cup sauce: 307 calories, 17g fat (6g saturated fat), 91mg cholesterol, 614mg sodium, 7g carbohydrate (4g sugars, 2g fiber), 22g protein.
Liquor:Â 1/4 cup vodka
20/27
Coconut-Bourbon Sweet Potatoes
Total Time
1 hour
Servings
14 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
What is it about sweet potatoes that unnerve some people? For those who firmly state they hate a yam because of the color or texture, the rich addition of coconut, bourbon and spices might just win them over. —Rebecca Anderson, Driftwood, Texas
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 444 calories, 15g fat (7g saturated fat), 48mg cholesterol, 167mg sodium, 73g carbohydrate (42g sugars, 6g fiber), 6g protein.
Liquor:Â 1/2 cup bourbon
21/27
Carrot Soup with Orange & Tarragon
Total Time
40 min
Servings
8 servings (2 quarts)
From the Recipe Creator:
A pretty orange color, a delicious hint of citrus and a garden-fresh flavor make this soup a requested dish at my many celebrations. Try sprinkling individual bowls with fresh tarragon before serving. —Phyllis Schmalz, Kansas City, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 cup: 117 calories, 3g fat (2g saturated fat), 8mg cholesterol, 823mg sodium, 18g carbohydrate (10g sugars, 4g fiber), 4g protein.
Liquor:Â 2 tablespoons brandy
22/27
Brandied Apricot Tart
Total Time
45 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Canned apricots make this golden, buttery tart a wonderful option any time of year. I brush them with preserves and brandy, then sprinkle on almonds for a bit of crunch. —Johnna Johnson, Scottsdale, Arizona
Nutrition Facts:
1 piece: 468 calories, 13g fat (8g saturated fat), 54mg cholesterol, 115mg sodium, 85g carbohydrate (59g sugars, 4g fiber), 4g protein.
Liquor:Â 2 tablespoons apricot brandy
23/27
Browned Butter Spice Cookies
Total Time
30 min
Servings
about 2 dozen
From the Recipe Creator:
If you like spice cake, you’ll love this recipe! Browned butter, dark chocolate and a splash of rum produce an unconventional spice cookie that’s guaranteed to please. —Kristin Kenney, Newport Beach, California
Nutrition Facts:
1 cookie: 111 calories, 5g fat (3g saturated fat), 17mg cholesterol, 54mg sodium, 16g carbohydrate (11g sugars, 1g fiber), 1g protein.
Liquor:Â 1 tablespoon spiced rum
24/27
Marinated Steak & Pepper Fajitas
Total Time
50 min
Servings
8 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
These fajitas are the best, and a much healthier version of the typically pan-fried ones you find in restaurants. I like to serve them in flatbreads instead of tortillas. —Erin Michniacki, Manhattan, Kansas
Nutrition Facts:
1 fajita: 375 calories, 14g fat (5g saturated fat), 56mg cholesterol, 325mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 29g protein. Diabetic Exchanges: 3 lean meat, 1-1/2 starch, 1 vegetable, 1 fat.
Liquor:Â 1/2 cup tequila
25/27
Bourbon-Glazed Ham
Total Time
2 hours 45 min
Servings
16 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
Smoky and sweet flavors come through in every bite of this Kentucky-style ham. Since I found this recipe, it’s the only ham I make. —Sue Schiller, Tomahawk, Wisconsin
Nutrition Facts:
5 ounces cooked ham: 301 calories, 6g fat (2g saturated fat), 100mg cholesterol, 1200mg sodium, 29g carbohydrate (28g sugars, 0 fiber), 34g protein.
Liquor:Â 3/4 cup bourbon
26/27
Apple Brandy Cheesecake
Total Time
1 hour 40 min
Servings
12 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
If you like apple pie, you will also enjoy this cheesecake. Bits of apple are scattered throughout the filling and a cinnamon-brown sugar streusel is a delightful topping to this impressive dessert.—Marian Platt, Sequim, Washington
Nutrition Facts:
1 slice: 617 calories, 42g fat (25g saturated fat), 187mg cholesterol, 380mg sodium, 50g carbohydrate (37g sugars, 1g fiber), 10g protein.
Liquor:Â 1/4 cup apple brandy or brandy
27/27
Glazed Green Beans
Total Time
25 min
Servings
4 servings
From the Recipe Creator:
After I picked my first green beans of the season one year, I wanted to make a savory side dish that was unique, quick and packed with flavor. I loved this so much I couldn't stop eating it. The next day I picked more beans and made this delicious side dish again. —Merry Graham, Newhall, California
Nutrition Facts:
3/4 cup: 173 calories, 3g fat (1g saturated fat), 7mg cholesterol, 302mg sodium, 35g carbohydrate (24g sugars, 4g fiber), 4g protein.
Liquor:Â 1 tablespoon bourbon
