Upgrade Your Stack Of Pancakes With A Delectable Bourbon Twist

Breakfast should never feel like a chore, and yet, we often find ourselves going through the motions with pancakes. It's the same routine day after day: Mixing the batter, pouring it onto the pan, and finishing it off with a drizzle of maple syrup. When the urge to do something different kicks in, bourbon — as unexpected as it may seem — could be exactly what you need to cure the pancake monotony. This twist comes in the form of bourbon syrup, a smoky, sweet addition that makes even the most ordinary pancakes feel like a sophisticated treat.

At its core, bourbon syrup is sweet — as syrup tends to be — but it's so much more than that. Once the caramelized richness has settled, that's when the nuances come in and refine the taste profile. Taking on the liquor's complexity, the syrup also bears vanilla, caramel, and woodsy hints, just subtly intertwining in the back. They're not the kind of change you'd notice at first, but sometimes, it's the minor details that make the most impact. No longer are your pancakes just creamy and buttery. Instead, there's a sophisticated warmth dripping over them, an extra flavor dimension that elevates the dish from homemade comfort to elegant indulgence.

You can always make bourbon syrup at home with a few basic ingredients. Although any variety will do, high-quality bourbon will ensure the flavors are more pronounced and layered. With the bourbon ready, the only things you'll need are sugar and water (although some recipes simply use maple syrup as a base). The process starts with boiling these two ingredients together and then lowering the heat to a simmer and stirring until the sugar dissolves. With the liquid removed from the heat, pour in around 1 tablespoon of bourbon before cooking it again. After a few minutes of stirring, you should have a dark, luscious (although not too thick) syrup. Let it cool, refrigerate it, and the next time you're whipping up pancakes, it should be ready to use.

With the syrup on the pancakes, you've still got room for more customization. Sometimes, just a sprinkle of toasted nuts is enough. Fresh fruits are always stellar for adding pops of vibrancy that contrast the syrup's depth. Need something bright and playful? Orange is your answer, whether it's just a few slices laid over top, the juice squeezed into the batter, or both. When summer rolls around, peaches never disappoint, and neither do berries — as proven by this roasted berry and buttermilk pancakes recipe. Come fall, pumpkin pancakes laced with a few warm spices are the best way to start the morning. Since bourbon and bacon are such great friends, it wouldn't be too farfetched to sprinkle a few tiny pieces onto your pancakes, either. If you have time, go one step further and make bourbon candied bacon for a decadent breakfast worth waking up to.