The Rich Liquor You Need To Splash In Your Mayonnaise

What happens when you take something so undeniably familiar like a classic mayonnaise and give it a twist? Expect only good, new things, of course! When all the hot sauce and basic seasonings have gotten repetitive, something seemingly unusual like liquor is just what you need to make this staple condiment fascinating again. Bourbon may be the last thing you'd think would work well with mayonnaise, but surprisingly, it does. The appeal extends beyond the initial novelty — it's about the flavors themselves and how seamlessly they come together despite their differences.

After frequent appearances on sandwiches, salads, and countless other dishes, mayonnaise's creamy, mildly tangy taste is far too familiar at this point. This is where bourbon and its complexity come in to give this condiment a new depth. The smoky, caramel sweetness balances out the mayo's bland richness while weaving in subtle floral, woodsy nuances of oak and vanilla. Bourbon also offers a kick of heat, but it's not fiery and aggressive like chili peppers or peppery sharp like mustard. Instead, it's gentle and warm, spreading across the palate and leaving a comforting burn in the aftertaste. This transforms the one-note taste profile into something that's much more sophisticated, with intriguing layers of flavors good enough to elevate any dish you're having.

Combining mayonnaise and bourbon is as simple as you'd expect it to be. Just whisk the mayonnaise with the bourbon, along with the usual essentials like salt and pepper. Make sure you go in with a light hand to avoid overwhelming the mayo's original flavor notes; around ½ a cupof bourbon should be enough for a cup of mayo.

Don't hesitate to take it one step further with other ingredient additions. Nothing's off the table, not even beef au jus, which offers a richness like you wouldn't believe. Considering how caramelized onion just gets better when there's bourbon involved, it's not a far-fetched idea to include it in your mayonnaise either. It's the perfect way to add both sweet and savory notes, plus a textural boost all at once. Maybe you want to only amp up the sweetness, and what better, easier way to do it than with honey or maple syrup? Or perhaps you're after a spicy spin instead — in which case, Sriracha and cayenne pepper are always good.

Once you've got the bourbon mayo ready, it's time to explore its endless culinary potential. A spread is more than enough to fuse excitement into your burgers and sandwiches. As a dipping sauce, it makes an ideal companion for French fries, crispy fried chicken, and anything else that needs a flavor boost. When summer rolls around, don't miss out on the opportunity to slather it over grilled corn ribs for a quick and satisfying snack.