Dates and bourbon have a lot in common. Both are sweet with caramel and vanilla undertones, and they shine alongside the same types of food, complementing salty, savory flavors. A Gold Rush cocktail (bourbon, lemon, and honey) and a couple of bacon-wrapped dates make a great combo, and you can even make date syrup to add to mixed drinks. But you don’t have to stop there — take it a step further and use bourbon-infused dates as a cocktail garnish.
Whiskey-infused dates are a fun choice on a charcuterie board and also make a great garnish for certain drinks. However, using bourbon adds another layer of sweetness to dates, balanced out with smoky and spicy notes. Not only do these boozy little treats add an extra pop of flavor to your drink, but they also look sophisticated skewered on a toothpick.
Rehydrating dates isn’t a new concept. Lots of people put dates in water for several hours, letting them slowly soak up the moisture until they are softer, sweeter, and easier to digest. Swap the water for bourbon and you’ll get a mouthwatering garnish that tastes amazing and packs a boozy punch.
How to customize bourbon-infused dates
The simplest way to make bourbon-infused dates is to soak them in bourbon for 24 hours and then use them as a garnish. Be sure to pit the dates and experiment with different kinds for different cocktail flavors. For the sweetest dates, choose Medjool. Meanwhile, thoory dates have slightly nutty notes.
After infusing the dates with bourbon, you can roll them in various toppings to add texture, flavor, and visual interest to your cocktail garnish. Coat dates in sugar, crushed walnuts or pistachios, chia seeds, melted chocolate, or coconut flakes.
Another way to add your own twist to bourbon-infused dates is to stuff them with things that complement bourbon. Make fillings out of crushed nuts or nut butter, dark chocolate chips, pomegranate seeds, or freeze-dried fruit. You can also swap out simple syrup for date syrup in a classic old-fashioned for an extra burst of sweetness that will round off the experience.
