Life

13 Boozy Recipes to Get You Through Yet Another Holiday with Your Family

We're pretty creative when it comes to booze. We’ll happily drink it straight, of course — but we’ll also meditate on it. We’ll mix it with orange juice and call it breakfast. And on those days that require a little more discretion, we’ll sneak it into our food.

So this Memorial Day, when your relatives start asking about your future and wondering when you’re going to move out of your sad excuse for an apartment, offer them vodka shortcake. Or beer-smothered ribs. We’re not particular — just as long as it’s delicious and sufficiently drenched in alcohol. Join us as we hit up the liquor cabinet — and if you decide to save a sip for the chef, we won’t tell.

Image: Crepes of Wrath

by Lisa Siva

Spicy Beer & Butter Shrimp Panzanella

An age-old salad made with torn bread, panzanella has its roots in the Renaissance — but beer-soaked shrimp and cornbread give it a fresh twist for summer. Thanks, Half Baked Harvest!

Image: Half Baked Harvest

Whiskey-Cured Salmon

You already know that there’s nothing like a stiff whiskey to cool you off in the summer. But if we have to be respectable, we’ll use it in a boozy cured salmon. Tucker has the recipe.

Image: Tucker

Tequila Grilled Chicken Club Sandwich

A club sandwich walks into a bar. It orders tequila and guacamole and comes out looking like this glorious creation from Closet Cooking.

Image: Closet Cooking

Beer Braised Ribs

It’s not Memorial Day without ribs and beer. And because our friends at Crepes of Wrath get us, they put the two together.

Image: Crepes of Wrath

Bourbon BBQ Sauce

A killer sauce makes all the difference between pretty good barbecue and godsend. Joy the Baker whips up a bourbon-infused sauce to keep the BBQ times rolling.

Image: Joy the Baker

Beer-Glazed Bacon

You’ll also probably want bacon. And beer is the one thing that makes bacon more wonderful than it already is. Pepper breaks it down.

Image: Pepper

Beer Bacon Mac and Cheese

Bonus points if you let loose and put that bacon in a creamy, show-stopping mac and cheese for your cookout. Simply Delicious shows us how.

Image: Simply Delicious

Whiskey Burger

We can’t leave you without a solid burger recipe — and this drunken, whiskey-smothered patty from M. Eva-Marie is just the thing.

Image: M. Eva-Marie

Rum-Glazed Shrimp Tacos

If all the meat’s getting you down, lighten up with these bright, rum-soaked shrimp tacos. Katie at the Kitchen Door whips up a boozy salsa to match.

Image: Kate at the Kitchen Door

Tequila Lime Fajita Salad

How Sweet It Is combines our two favorite things about Tex-Mex cuisine: fajitas and tequila. Booze-marinated flank steak makes the perfect base for a salad — and don’t forget a handful of tortilla chips on top.

Image: How Sweet It Is

Pinot Noir and Raspberry Sorbet

After a long day of feasting, wind down with a light, refreshing sorbet that’s equal parts dessert and wine. Hummingbird High has the recipe.

Image: Hummingbird High

Drunk Strawberry Shortcake

Shortcake is a summertime classic — but Savory Simple gives it a grown-up kick with boozy strawberries.

Image: Savory Simple

Triple Berry Kahlua Crisp

The best way to welcome summer? A generous helping of boozy fruit, all baked under a cinnamon crumble. Thanks, Half Baked Harvest!

Image: Half Baked Harvest

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