January in Michigan is not for the faint of heart. When the temperature drops and the wind picks up, the best tailgates move
inside. Moving the party indoors does not mean lowering your standards. It means trading the parking lot for the lounge and the cooler for the home bar.
A successful indoor tailgate requires a tactful approach to your menu. You want food that works as hard as the whiskey. Our Straight Bourbon Whiskey should anchor the spread. It is the same philosophy we use for our bourbon cheese; a high-proof upgrade for standard snacks. No matter if you are hosting a few people or the whole crew, the goal is the same: bold flavor and zero fluff.
Maximum Output, Minimum Effort
This is not an all-day kitchen mission. The goal is maximum output with basic preparation. Keep the menu lean and the flavors heavy.
Homemade Bourbon Cheese
You can make your own at home without a specialized kitchen. It’s an immediate upgrade for pretzels or burgers and takes less than ten minutes to pull together. The bourbon adds the depth that a standard cheese dip lacks.
Our quick fix is to melt a block of sharp cheddar with a splash of milk or heavy cream on low heat. Remove from heat and stir in two ounces of Flying Ace Straight Bourbon. Add a spoonful of Dijon mustard and a pinch of garlic powder. Keep it on low heat until it is smooth.
Whiskey Glazed Wings
Skip the elaborate rubs. Toss wings in a mix of honey, hot sauce, and a shot of Cinnamon Whiskey before throwing them in the oven. The cinnamon provides a sharp, warm kick that delivers flavor without a dozen different spices.
The Refueling Strategy
When it comes to cocktails, we take the same approach as our food. We prepare ahead with a batch cocktail, a selection of mixers, and something for the purist.
- The Batching Strategy: Mix your base spirits and mixers in a large pitcher ahead of time. This prevents you from measuring and shaking while the game is live.
- Build Your Own: A variety of our flavored whiskeys paired with soda gives your guests the power to choose their own direction.
- The Neat Alternative: When the weather is this cold, a neat pour of our 13-Year Limited Edition is the only accompaniment you need. It requires zero prep and provides all the heat required for a cold afternoon.
The holidays are over, but winter has hit its stride. When you take the party indoors, you control the environment. Keep the house warm, the circle tight, and the quality high!
