The Ultimate Bourbon BBQ Burger with The Bonded Smoke Cocktail

1. **Prepare the Bourbon BBQ Sauce:** In a saucepan, combine ½ cup ketchup, 2 tbsp brown sugar, 1 tbsp Worcestershire, 1 tsp smoked paprika, ¼ tsp garlic powder, and ¼ cup Brother’s Bond Bourbon. Bring to a simmer over medium heat and cook, stirring occasionally, until the sauce thickens and becomes sticky. Season with salt to taste. Set aside.
2. **Cook the Bacon:** Brush strips of bacon with some of the prepared Bourbon BBQ sauce. Pan-fry or bake the bacon until it is crisp. Set aside.
3. **Cook the Burger Patties:** Prepare two smashed beef patties. Cook them on a hot surface (griddle or pan). During the final 30 seconds of cooking, glaze each patty generously with the Bourbon BBQ sauce. Immediately add a slice of cheddar cheese to each patty while the sauce bubbles to ensure sticky, melty edges.
4. **Assemble the Burger:** On the bottom half of a burger bun, spread a swipe of the Bourbon BBQ sauce. Place the two cheesy, glazed beef patties on top. Layer with the Bourbon BBQ bacon and crispy fried onion straws or shallots. Spread another swipe of BBQ sauce on the top bun and place it on the burger to complete.
5. **Prepare The Bonded Smoke Cocktail:** In a mixing glass filled with ice, combine 2 oz Brother’s Bond Bourbon, ½ oz maple syrup, and 2 dashes Angostura bitters. Stir until the mixture is well chilled.
6. Strain the chilled cocktail into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
7. Take an orange peel, express its oils over the top of the drink, and then drop the peel into the glass.
8. For a dramatic touch, cover the glass and smoke the cocktail for 10–15 seconds using apple or oak wood chips.