Plan A Sizzling Monsoon BBQ Soiree With These 6 Boozy Marinades
Come rainy season, the smell of sizzling chicken and fish on a steaming grill blends wonderfully with the fragrance of the monsoon winds to create quite a pleasing treat for a gastronome. And what adds flavour to the meats and veggies being barbecued are marinades that glaze fish, chicken, meat, pineapples, onions, tomatoes and other assorted produce set to go on the grill.
Adding another layer of flavour to these delicious marinades are boozy drinks like beer or red wine which introduce complex tasting notes into the finished barbecued dish.
A smoky tequila or a cheeky whisky intensify the flavours and aromas oozing out of the barbecue in a way that complements the dish without making the booze too overpowering. These marinades add a bit of zest as well as a kick to the overall dish and when prepared during monsoons, their flavours pair brilliantly with the freshness and vibrancy that heralds the pitter patter of the rainy season.
Read on below to know more about some of the marinades that can be concocted by adding booze into the sauce before marinating the meats and fish that will go onto your grill:
Beer Infused BBQ Marinade
Add a bit of a frothy, foamy and airy feel into your barbecue marinade by bringing together some Dijon mustard, soy sauce and paprika with a refreshing IPA or lager. With beer, the marinade will acquire a lightness that blends perfectly with intense spicy and sour notes to create a well balanced sauce that can coat different types of veggies and meats.
Marinate chicken overnight in this thoroughly mouthwatering coating before grilling.
Bourbon BBQ Marinade
A marinade that will introduce smoky and earthy flavour notes into chicken and meat barbecues, this sauce infused with bourbon can be prepared by blending the premium spirit with apple cider vinegar and black pepper. The flavour profile of this sauce will be intensified when it is made into a spicy mix so you can also add a hint of chilli powder into the marinade and elevate its appeal. Use the bourbon marinade in the rainy season for warming you up when the monsoon winds blow.
Tequila Lime Marinade
For those who prefer a slightly milder yet flavorful and rich marinade as a coating for their barbecued meats, tequila and lime is a wonderful combination. Add some finely minced garlic to this recipe to give it a pungent kick particularly while using this mix for marinating fish to give the barbecue a more complex taste.
Also add a dash of honey to introduce a tender sweetness into the sauce.
Red Wine Marinade
A classic marinade used widely to coat meats and chicken before grilling, this sauce celebrates the dry and intense notes of red wine paired with a bit of rosemary, thyme and olive oil. This marinade is as refreshing as it is full of zesty flavours making it the perfect coating for meats and veggies.
Merlot or cabernet sauvignon are preferred varieties that can be used in this recipe as both of them pair superbly with savoury foods.
Gin And Honey Marinade
During monsoons, you would want to indulge in foods that are tasty but also zesty so you can savour their mouthwatering notes as the rain comes crashing down. Infusing marinades with gin is one way of bringing into your grilling those herbaceous and savoury notes that can be enjoyed during rainy months as these flavours are well suited to complement the slightly humid yet chilly climes of the monsoon.
Whisky And Orange Juice Marinade
Along with being a classic cocktail concoction, whisky and orange juice is also a flavourful pairing that can be used to introduce some smoky and boozy notes into your barbecue game. Use a premium whisky mixed with tangy orange juice and a dash of Worcestershire sauce to bring that barbecue flavour into the marinade.
You can also add some onion powder and a hint of paprika into the sauce for a more complex mix.