Home » Blog » Recipes » Bourbon Bathed Bratwursts

Bourbon Bathed Bratwursts

, , , ,

Ready for a delicious summertime treat? Then these bourbon bathed bratwurst recipe is for you. I must admit, I’m also fond of a smooth, velvety bourbon. So, naturally, we bought these two flavors together. And let me tell you, it was a culinary match made in heaven. These bratwursts turned out so amazing that we’ve made them several times since. We urge you to give it a try and see for yourself.

Grilled bratwurst are typically nestled into a beer and onion bath until they are ready to serve. However, we steep the uncooked brats in a warm bourbon bath before grilling–with the option of returning them to the broth afterward. The reason for doing this is so the sausages can soak up as much flavor and aroma as possible. Don’t worry; the bourbon flavor will not overpower the bratwursts.

What you need to make bourbon bathed bratwursts:

  1. You’ll need good quality bourbon. I used the standard 10 year Four Roses Bourbon for this recipe. Not only is it one of my “go-to” spirits, but it pairs quite well with grilled and barbecued proteins.
  2. Next, you’ll need some low-sodium chicken or vegetable broth, either store-bought or homemade. I felt that beef broth had too deep of a flavor to pair with bourbon. The last thing I wanted was for the broth and bourbon to fight over flavor dominance. Beef pairs well with red wine, while bourbon needs a milder liquid like chicken or vegetable broth to really shine.
  3. Vinegar. I chose to use apple cider vinegar for the bourbon bath as it offers a nice bite and carries a nice fruity undertone. You can also use distilled vinegar but stay clear of balsamic.
  4. Buns and condiments. I love a good pretzel bun for this recipe, but any hot dog bun will do. Serve these sausages with a good grainy mustard, some fresh crunchy sauerkraut, and chopped white onion.
  5. Finally, it would be best to use good-quality brats. We sourced ours from Porter Road, and they were fantastic! However, you can find great bratwursts at your local grocery store. Ask your butcher for their recommendations. 

Shopping List:

  • 6 bratwursts
  • Chicken or vegetable broth
  • Texas Bourbon (or your favorite non-Texan bourbon)
  • Apple Cider vinegar
  • Garlic 
  • Whole black peppercorns
  • Butter
  • Bay leaf
Bratwursts on the Grill

How To Make Bourbon Braised Bratwurst

  • In a medium-sized pot, add all bourbon ingredients, and simmer over low heat for 3-4 minutes. Carefully add brats to the bath; we don’t want them to break!. Cover the pot and gently warm on low for 15-20 minutes. Alternatively, you can use a slow-cooker to keep the brats warm in the bourbon bath.
  • Preheat your grill for medium-high heat (375 degrees F).
  • Remove brats from the bath and place them onto a large plate or cutting board. Blot excess moisture off with paper towels.
  • Place bratwursts on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until they have a nice golden brown color with grill marks. You can also slice them ¾ of the way through (lengthwise) and grill them. Shorten the cooking time if choosing to do the latter.
  • Once done, remove brats from the grill, and serve with your favorite mustard and sides. These make excellent sausage sandwiches too.
Grilled Bratwurst on a Bun

TIP:

If you plan to return the brats to the broth after grilling, make sure to reheat the liquid on your stovetop for 3-4 minutes on medium-high heat. Doing this will kill off any bacteria left behind from the raw brats. Let the mixture cool slightly before placing the cooked brats back. You can also make up two batches of the bourbon bath if feeding a large group. Use the first batch as instructed in the recipe, and place the second batch in a slow-cooker over low heat. Take the bratwursts straight from the grill to the slow-cooker, cover, and let your guests help themselves to these awesome bourbon bathed bratwursts when they are ready. 

Our best bourbon recipes!

Bourbon Bathed Bratwursts

Bourbon Bathed Bratwursts

Usually, bratwursts are simmered in either a beer or broth concoction before finishing them off on the grill. For this recipe, we will be using a bourbon bath instead. If you haven’t tried the bourbon version, you are missing out. Don’t worry. The flavor is subtle; in fact, it’s delicious! We developed this recipe using Four Roses Bourbon and recommend that you do the same. Other bourbons might not be as subtle, so please keep that in mind.
5 from 1 vote
Print Pin Rate
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: American, American BBQ
Keyword: bourbon brats, bourbon recipes, Bratwurst, bratwurst recipes, Grilled Brats, sausage recipes, superbowl recipes
Cook Time: 28 minutes
Total Time: 28 minutes
Servings: 6 people
Calories: 345kcal
Author: Derrick Riches and Sabrina Baksh

Ingredients

  • 6 bratwursts
  • For bourbon bath:
  • 2 cups chicken or vegetable broth
  • 3/4 cup bourbon Four Roses Bourbon
  • 1/2 cup cider vinegar
  • 1/2 cup water
  • 2 cloves garlic peeled and left whole
  • 1 tablespoon whole peppercorns
  • 1 tablespoon butter
  • 1 bay leaf

Instructions

  • In a medium-sized pot, add all bourbon ingredients, and simmer over low heat for 3-4 minutes. Carefully add brats to the bath; we don’t want them to break!. Cover the pot and gently simmer for 20 minutes.
  • Preheat grill for medium-high heat. Remove brats from the bath and place them onto a large plate or cutting board.
  • Add bratwursts on the grill and cook for 3-4 minutes per side, or until there is a nice golden brown color with grill marks present. You can also slice them ¾ of the way through (lengthwise) and grill them. Shorten the cooking time if choosing to do the latter.
  • Once done, remove brats from the grill, and serve with your favorite mustard and sides. These make excellent sausage sandwiches too.

Notes

If you plan to return the brats to the broth after grilling, make sure to reheat the liquid on your stovetop for 3-4 minutes on medium-high heat. Doing this will kill off any bacteria left behind from the raw brats. Let the mixture cool slightly before placing the cooked brats back. You can also make up two batches of the bourbon bath if feeding a large group. Use the first batch as instructed in the recipe, and place the second batch in a slow-cooker over low heat. Take the bratwursts straight from the grill to the slow-cooker, cover, and let your guests help themselves to these awesome bourbon bathed bratwursts when they are ready. 

Nutrition

Calories: 345kcal | Carbohydrates: 7g | Protein: 13g | Fat: 22g | Saturated Fat: 7g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 63mg | Sodium: 578mg | Potassium: 346mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 44IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 38mg | Iron: 1mg

Buy Our Books!


Recipes

  • Smoked Leg of Lamb
    Looking for a sensational dish? Try this smoked lamb leg infused with lemon, herbs, and garlic. Perfect for holiday feasts and special occasions!
  • Smoked Chorizo Queso
    This indulgent smoked chorizo queso will be the star of your next or gathering! 
  • Smoked Baby Back Ribs (2-2-1 Method)
    Sink your teeth into phenomenal smoked baby back ribs! Perfect for seasoned chefs or beginners. Get ready to grill!
  • Garlic Herb Rack of Lamb
    Fire up your grill and give this fantastic garlic herb rack of lamb a try. It’s perfect for the holidays and special occasions!
  • Pineapple-Maple Ham Glaze
    This easy, homemade Pineapple-Maple Ham Glaze will make the perfect caramelized candy coating on ham!
, , , ,

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.