Bourbon is a classic American whiskey that is beloved for its sweet, oaky, and spicy flavor profile. While bourbon is often enjoyed neat or on the rocks, it also pairs deliciously with certain fruits that complement and bring out the natural flavors of the spirit.
The Fruity Flavors in Bourbon
Bourbon gets its signature sweetness and fruitiness primarily from the corn used in the mash bill during distillation. Bourbon must be made from at least 51% corn, with the remainder typically being rye and malted barley.
During the aging process, bourbon also picks up fruity notes from the charred oak barrels it’s aged in. These barrels impart flavors like vanilla, caramel, and dried fruit. Common fruit notes in bourbon include:
- Cherry
- Peach
- Apricot
- Plum
- Fig
- Raisin
The fruitiness in bourbon means it pairs well with actual fruits that complement or mirror those flavors.
Best Fruits to Pair with Bourbon
Here are some of the best fruits to enjoy alongside a glass of bourbon:
Cherries
Fresh cherries are one of the most classic bourbon pairings. The sweet tartness of cherries balances the sweet vanilla notes in bourbon. Bourbon highlights the cherry flavors, while cherries accentuate the fruitiness of bourbon. Enjoy them together in a bourbon cherry smash cocktail or drop cherries into an old fashioned.
Peaches
Like cherries, peaches also complement the fruitiness of bourbon. The juicy sweetness of fresh peaches is a perfect match. Peach flavors also commonly show up in bourbons themselves. Enjoy sliced peaches and bourbon together as-is, or muddle peaches into a bourbon cocktail like a peach bourbon smash.
Pears
The subtle sweetness and delicate flavor of pears pair nicely with bourbon’s rich caramel and vanilla notes. Try slicing up a ripe pear to enjoy alongside a pour of bourbon. The two flavors complement each other beautifully.
Apples
Apples have enough sweet-tart brightness to balance the sweetness of bourbon. Red apples in particular have a subtle berry-like flavor that complements bourbon’s fruitiness. Enjoy bourbon with apple slices, baked apples drizzled with bourbon, or the classic bourbon apple cider cocktail.
Oranges
Citrus fruits like oranges make an ideal match for bourbon’s vanilla and caramel flavors. The tangy sweetness cuts through the bourbon’s richness. Try adding a slice of orange peel to old fashioneds or Manhattans. Orange juice also pairs deliciously in bourbon cocktails.
Bananas
Surprisingly, the subtle sweetness and fruitiness of bananas go really well with bourbon’s flavor profile. The banana bonds with the oak flavors and brings out the bourbon’s toffee notes. Enjoy sliced bananas drizzled with bourbon or try a banana bourbon smoothie.
Dried Fruits
In addition to fresh fruits, dried fruits also pair beautifully with bourbon since they tend to mirror the flavors imparted by the oak barrels. Try pairing bourbon with:
- Dried cherries
- Dried figs
- Dried apricots
- Dates
- Prunes
- Raisins
These dried fruits accentuate the rich, almost dessert-like flavors of bourbon. Throw them in a cocktail, enjoy them on their own, or soak them in bourbon to plump them up.
Fruit Bourbon Cocktail Recipes
Fruits pair incredibly with bourbon in cocktail form. Here are some delicious fruit-based bourbon cocktail recipes to try:
Bourbon Cherry Smash
Muddle cherries with simple syrup and bourbon, then build in the glass over ice. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry.
Peach Bourbon Smash
Like the cherry smash but with peaches instead. Muddle peaches, add bourbon, ice, and garnish.
Bourbon Apple Cider
Combine bourbon, apple cider, and autumn spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Top with club soda.
Orange Bourbon Sour
A bourbon twist on a whiskey sour made with fresh orange juice, bourbon, and orange slice garnish.
Bourbon Banana Smoothie
Blend bananas, bourbon, milk/yogurt, honey, and ice for a delicious bourbon-infused treat.
Fruit Bourbon Desserts
Fruits also pair deliciously with bourbon in dessert form. Some sweet treats to try:
- Bourbon peach cobbler
- Bourbon apple pie
- Bourbon chocolate-covered cherries
- Bourbon banana pudding
The fruit provides a sweet counterbalance to the bourbon’s richness and spice in these desserts.
Conclusion
Most fresh fruits complement and enhance the flavor of bourbon beautifully thanks to their sweetness and acidity. Cherries, peaches, pears, and oranges are some of the best pairs that bring out bourbon’s fruity vanilla notes. Dried fruits like dates and raisins also accentuate bourbon’s flavor profile. Whip up a fruit-based bourbon cocktail or dessert to enjoy the delicious combination.