August 10, 2023 — Attention all outdoor enthusiasts, s’mores lovers and bourbon drinkers: Coopers’ Craft Mixologist, Fitz Bailey, is taking the adult s’mores game to new levels with bourbon pairing tips and tricks plus two s’mores-inspired cocktail recipes perfect for camping trips, backyard fire pit hangs and celebrating National S’mores Day on August 10.
Honoring the men and women who raise the barrels, Coopers’ Craft Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey celebrates the company’s more than 70 years of barrel-making and wood expertise as the only major distiller that owns its own new barrel cooperage. Carrying tasting notes of caramel, cotton candy, fresh apple, pear and citrus fruit atop vanilla wafers dusted with sharp cinnamon, finished off with assertive cinnamon spice softening to a lingering apple and clean oak note, Coopers’ Craft Barrel Reserve is an ideal accompaniment to perfectly toasted s’mores.
“Our Barrel Reserve, with its bold and robust profile, magnifies the chocolate in the s’mores bringing complexity and nuance in even the most classic of bars,” said Fitz Bailey. “The smoke and spice, a perfect marriage for a freshly caramelized marshmallow, bring out its sweet and savory contrast, a treat for the senses.”
However, similar to Coopers’ Craft, s’mores are versatile, and Fitz Bailey has some alternatives, additions, and even two cocktail recipes to elevate s’mores snacking this summer and beyond.
“If you want to add to the classic, throw on some candied bacon, toasted coconut, or even cookie butter. Homemade marshmallows or even artisanal ones with specialty flavors are an easy way to up your s’mores game. If you’re looking to make some replacements, switch the graham crackers with kettle chips for a nice salty crunch, use a chocolate peanut butter cup instead of the traditional chocolate bar to add some extra creaminess, or roast a brightly colored peep instead of the traditional marshmallow for some wow factor. And if cocktails are more your thing, I have two s’mores-inspired recipes for sipping all summer long.”
From a creative riff on the boulevardier to a frozen treat that can be made alcoholic or non-alcoholic, the two below recipes are fun, photogenic and the perfect tipples for date night or backyard hangs.
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Salty Smoked S’mores Boulevardier
Courtesy of Fitz Bailey, Coopers’ Craft Mixologist
Ingredients:
- 1.5 oz Coopers’ Craft Barrel Reserve Bourbon (100 Proof)
- 1 oz Campari
- 1 oz Sweet Vermouth
- .5 oz Creme de Cacao
- 3 Dash Chocolate Bitters
- Pinch of Sea Salt
Garnish: Rim side of glass with melted chocolate, before it hardens, roll glass in powdered graham cracker. Garnish with speared smoked marshmallow
Glassware: Rocks glass
Instructions: Stir all ingredients with ice. Light a marshmallow on fire, cover with rocks glass to extinguish and capture smoke. Strain cocktail into glass, garnish and serve immediately.
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Frozen Bourbon S’mores Cocktail
Courtesy of Lindzi Shanks of XO Marshmallow
Ingredients:
- 2 XO Marshmallow Coopers’ Craft Bourbon Marshmallows (can also be made with regular marshmallows)
- 3 tbsp of marshmallow fluff
- Crushed up graham crackers
- 1/2 cup of sweetened XO double dark cocoa powder
- 1/4 cup of milk of your choice (you can go no milk for a more bitter cocktail)
- 2 shots of Coopers’ Craft Bourbon Barrel Reserve
Garnish: Rim side of glass with marshmallow fluff, coat fluff in crushed up graham crackers, top with bourbon marshmallows
Instructions: Mix cocoa powder, milk and bourbon in blender with ice; pour into glass; top drizzle with chocolate for extra sweetness
-Hannah Church