Root beer and bourbon may seem like an unlikely pairing at first glance. Root beer, with its sweet vanilla and wintergreen flavors, is a beloved soda pop usually associated with childhood and carefree summer days. Bourbon, on the other hand, is a bold, spicy whiskey with a kick of alcohol heat. But could these two very different beverages actually complement each other surprisingly well?
Some whiskey enthusiasts and adventurous foodies believe the answer is yes. The reasoning is that the sugary sweetness of root beer can soften and mellow out the bourbon’s alcoholic bite. Meanwhile, the complex spices and oak flavors of the bourbon can add welcome depth and sophistication to otherwise one-dimensional root beer. The combination of flavors and textures may create an experience greater than the sum of its parts.
However, like all unusual food and drink pairings, the root beer and bourbon combo is likely to be polarizing. Many bourbon traditionalists argue that the sugary soda overwhelms the nuances that make fine bourbon so enjoyable. For these whiskey purists, bourbon is best sipped neat or on the rocks. But for those with a taste for experimentation, bourbon and root beer may prove to be a delightful treat.
The Flavor Profiles of Root Beer and Bourbon
To better understand how these two beverages can potentially work together, let’s examine the characteristic flavors of each:
Root Beer Flavor Profile
– Sweet – Root beer contains a large amount of added sugar, giving it a sweet, soda-like taste. The sweetness often comes from cane sugar or honey.
– Vanilla – Vanilla extract is added to root beer to give it a signature vanilla flavor and aroma. Some premium root beers also use real vanilla beans.
– Wintergreen – Oil of wintergreen (methyl salicylate) adds a mildly medicinal, minty note to root beer’s flavor.
– Spices – Many root beers are spiced with allspice, anise, clove, cinnamon, nutmeg, and/or sassafras. This gives the soda a warm, spicy background flavor.
– Caramel – Caramel coloring contributes a subtle caramelized sugar taste.
– Carbonation – Root beer’s bubbly carbonation gives it a refreshing, tingling mouthfeel.
Bourbon Flavor Profile
– Sweet – Although not as sweet as root beer, bourbon does have notes of vanilla and caramelized oak sugars from the charring of the bourbon barrels. This sweetness helps counterbalance bourbon’s spice.
– Oak – Extended aging in charred oak barrels gives bourbon oaky flavors of cinnamon, clove, and brown sugar. Vanillin in the oak also contributes vanilla notes.
– Spice – Rye is a required ingredient in bourbon mash bills, lending a spicy, peppery flavor.
– Alcohol Heat – Bourbon’s relatively high ABV (40-50% typically) provides an alcoholic warming sensation.
– Herbal – Notes of mint, thyme, fennel and other herbs come through in some bourbons.
– Fruit – Fruity esters produced during fermentation can impart cherry, citrus, or dried fruit flavors.
Complementary Flavors in Root Beer and Bourbon
Looking at these dominant taste components of both beverages, you can start to see where the complementary flavors potentially lie:
– Sweetness – The pronounced sweetness of root beer contrasts with and smooths out the alcoholic bite of bourbon. The sweet flavors in bourbon complement root beer as well.
– Vanilla – Both drinks feature vanilla flavors, root beer from added vanilla extract and bourbon from vanillin in the oak barrels. More vanilla provides a unifying taste.
– Spice – The wintergreen and sassafras of root beer align with the oaky, spicy flavors of rye-forward bourbons.
– Herbal – Bourbon’s herbal notes find an echo in root beer’s wintergreen.
– Carbonation – Root beer’s bubbly carbonation can help freshen the palate between sips of intense, alcoholic bourbon.
Bourbon and Root Beer Cocktail Recipes
If you’re intrigued by the potential flavor match between root beer and bourbon, here are some cocktail recipes to try that incorporate both:
Root Beer Bourbon Float
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This simple riff on a soda fountain classic lets the vanilla ice cream highlight the root beer and bourbon’s shared vanilla flavor. The creaminess of the ice cream also helps balance the bubbly root beer.
Brown Derby
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The honey provides additional sweetness to complement the root beer and bourbon. The lime brightens up the flavor.
Root Beer Old Fashioned
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This riff on a bourbon old fashioned replaces plain water with root beer to incorporate its sweet, vanilla flavors. The Angostura bitters also pick up some of the spice notes.
Selecting a Bourbon for Root Beer Cocktails
Not all bourbons make an equal pairing for root beer. Here are some characteristics to look for in a bourbon that will complement root beer’s flavors:
– Higher rye content – The spiciness of rye contrasts nicely with root beer’s sweetness. Look for a mash bill with at least 15% rye.
– More oak influence – Bourbons aged for longer periods in charred new oak will have a more pronounced oak flavor, with stronger vanilla and caramel notes to mirror root beer’s profile. Look for bourbons aged a minimum of 5-6 years.
– Lower alcohol content – Since root beer is non-alcoholic, a lower proof bourbon around 80-90 will not overwhelm the root beer flavors. Higher proofs can work too but may need a bit more root beer or ice to tame the alcohol heat.
– Sweeter palate – Wheated bourbons or those with a higher percentage of corn tend to be slightly sweeter in flavor, complementing the sweet soda.
Given these criteria, some good bourbon options to try in root beer cocktails include:
– Four Roses Yellow Label
– Larceny
– Old Forester 86 Proof
– Evan Williams Bottled in Bond
– Old Grand-Dad Bonded
– Maker’s Mark
You can also tailor the bourbon to the particular cocktail. For an Old Fashioned riff, go for a high-rye bourbon like Bulleit or Old Overholt to accentuate the spicy Angostura bitters. For a float, consider a sweeter wheated bourbon like Maker’s Mark.
Enhancing the Flavor Experience
To make the most of the bourbon and root beer pairing, here are some serving suggestions:
– Chill both – Make sure to chill both the root beer and bourbon well before mixing, ideally for several hours in the refrigerator. This will minimize the alcohol heat of the bourbon and maximize the refreshing carbonation of the root beer.
– Use a stemmed glass – Sipping the cocktail from a stemmed glass helps concentrate the aromas. For a float, serve it in a tall chilled glass.
– Add caramel or vanilla garnish – Garnishes like drizzled caramel or vanilla beans can reinforce the shared flavor notes.
– Make it a float – The ice cream in a float cools the bourbon further and adds creaminess. Milk fat also helps coat the palate and smooth out the bourbon kick.
– Adjust proportions to taste – If the bourbon still overpowers the root beer, tweak the ratio by adding more root beer or other sweet mixers.
Bourbon and Root Beer Food Pairings
In addition to enjoying bourbon and root beer together in cocktail form, you can also craft food pairings using both to complement a meal:
– Barbecue – Bourbon mixes wonderfully with barbecue sauces, while root beer makes an excellent marinade for grilled meats. Serve bourbon with root beer braised pulled pork or ribs.
– Chili – A splash of bourbon in the chili and a cold mug of root beer alongside makes a perfect match. The root beer cleanses the spicy heat.
– Chocolate – Bittersweet chocolate desserts pair amazingly with bourbon. The root beer echoes the chocolate flavors.
– Vanilla and caramel – Dishes featuring vanilla ice cream, caramelized nuts or bananas foster highlight the shared vanilla and caramel notes of the root beer and bourbon.
– Spicy foods – The warming bite of rye-heavy bourbons complements spicy cuisines like Nashville hot chicken, Thai curry, or Cajun jambalaya. The root beer soothes the heat.
Potential Concerns with Root Beer and Bourbon
While the flavor combination has much potential, there are some considerations to keep in mind:
– Alcohol content – When mixing a non-alcoholic drink with liquor, it’s easy to underestimate the amount of alcohol consumed. Take it slow to avoid excess intoxication.
– Beer taste – Bourbon purists may find the root beer imparts an undesirable beer-like taste to the liquor. Not all whiskey drinkers will enjoy the combo.
– Too sweet – The intense sweetness of root beer could overpower the nuances of a fine, aged bourbon. Opt for a less premium bourbon for mixing.
– Dilution – If too much root beer or ice is added to temper the alcohol, it could thin out and dilute the bourbon’s flavor. Find the right balance.
– Tooth decay – The high sugar content of root beer may pose oral health concerns with prolonged consumption. Practice dental hygiene and drink in moderation.
Conclusion
While not universally beloved, root beer and bourbon can undeniably make for an intriguing flavor pairing. The sweet vanilla of the root beer contrasts nicely with oaky bourbon spice for a satisfying yin-yang dynamic. Mix up one of the suggested cocktails or match them side-by-side in a meal and see if you enjoy the combination. With the right recipes and proportions, the beloved flavors of childhood and the full-bodied sophistication of bourbon can intermingle into something wonderful and wholly unexpected. Approach with an open mind, experiment with different bourbons and serve ice-cold, and you may find root beer takes on a delightful new life when properly paired with bourbon’s oak and spice.