These Bourbon Chicken Wings are an old-fashioned cocktail-inspired twist on classic smoked wings! The glaze is a sweet and smoky mix of bourbon, orange juice, cherry syrup, and orange bitters, just like your favorite Old Fashioned drink but in sauce form. Perfect for game days, festive parties, and get-togethers like New Year’s Eve or the Super Bowl!
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Recipe Highlights
- ⏱️ Cook Time: 1 hour
- 🍽️ Serves: 4–6
- 👩🏽🍳 Difficulty: Easy
- 🔥 Flavor: Sweet, smoky, and bourbon-spiked flavor
Marrekus loves making chicken wings!
He’s always experimenting with different sauces and flavor combinations, from his Hot Honey Old Bay wings to those Asian-style chicken wings (which are my personal favorite!).
These boozy wings might just be his most creative yet. They’re inspired by the classic Old Fashioned cocktail, made with bourbon, cherry syrup, and orange bitters.
They're sweet, smoky, and sophisticated. Basically, your favorite bourbon cocktail, but in wing form!
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Sweet, smoky, and tangy: The wing sauce combines bourbon, cherry syrup, orange juice, and bitters for flavor that’s complex yet balanced.
- Perfect for parties: Whether you’re hosting a holiday celebration, game day, or casual get-together, these wings are a guaranteed crowd-pleaser.
- Smoked for extra flavor: Cooking the wings on the smoker gives them a deep smoky flavor that perfectly complements the bourbon glaze.
Old Fashioned-Inspired Bourbon Wing Sauce
This bourbon wing sauce is what makes the recipe special! It tastes just like an Old Fashioned cocktail. It's smoky, sweet, and a little citrusy with a touch of bourbon. The fresh squeezed orange juice and cherry syrup add a bright, sweet flavor, while the bitters make it taste rich and balanced. The bourbon brings it all together with a smooth, warm finish.
Ingredients
- Chicken Wings: We like to use whole chicken wings (with the drumette, flat, and tip still attached) when smoking. Keeping them whole helps the meat stay juicy and flavorful, and gives them that perfect crispy skin and tender meat.
- Bourbon: Use a good-quality bourbon that you’d actually enjoy sipping. The bourbon adds notes of caramel, vanilla, and oak.
- Orange Bitters: Just a few dashes of orange bitters (the same kind used in cocktails) give the sauce that unmistakable Old Fashioned flavor.
- Cherry Syrup: Use bottled cherry cocktail syrup. It adds a subtle sweetness, but without being overbearing.
See the recipe card below for full information on the ingredients and quantities.
How to Make Bourbon Old-Fashioned Chicken Wings
Step 1: Preheat your smoker or set up your grill for indirect cooking. Place the wings in a large bowl and season evenly with BBQ rub. Let them rest for about 10–15 minutes.
Step 2: Place the wings on the smoker and cook until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
Step 3: Pour orange juice in a small saucepan.
Step 4: Add cherry syrup.
Step 5: Add ketchup.
Step 6: Stir in sugar.
Step 5: Pour in orange bitters.
Step 6: Finally, stir in bourbon. Whisk until smooth, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Let the sauce thicken slightly, then set aside and keep warm.
Step 5: Place the smoked wings in a large bowl and pour the warm sauce over them.
Step 6: Toss until well coated.
Step 5: Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
Recipe Tips for Bourbon Wings
- Use a good bourbon: You’ll taste it, so use something you’d enjoy sipping.
- Don’t rush the smoking process: The slower cooking time adds that deep, rich flavor.
- Toss while warm: Coating the wings in sauce while they’re still hot helps the glaze stick beautifully.
- Add garnish: Try an orange zest or cherry on top for a fun nod to the cocktail.
Bourbon Chicken Wing FAQs
Yes! Bake at 400°F for about 45 minutes, flipping halfway through, until crispy and fully cooked.
Mostly, but you’ll keep the flavor but lose the harsh alcohol taste as the sauce simmers.
Fresh squeezed is best, but bottled will work in a pinch.
More Game Day and Party Recipes
Looking for more game day and party recipes? Try these:
If you tried these Bourbon Chicken Wings or any other recipe on our blog, consider leaving us a 🌟 star rating and let us know how it went in the 📝 comments!
📖 Recipe
Bourbon Chicken Wings (Old-Fashioned Cocktail-Inspired)
Ingredients
- 12 whole chicken wings
- ¼ cup BBQ rub
- 2 ounces bourbon use one you’d actually sip!
- ½ cup orange juice fresh squeezed is recommended
- 2 tablespoons ketchup
- 2 tablespoons cherry syrup
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- A few dashes orange bitters
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Preheat your smoker or set up your grill for indirect cooking to 275°F.
- Place the wings in a large bowl and season evenly with BBQ rub. Let them rest for about 10–15 minutes.
- Place the wings on the smoker and cook until they reach an internal temperature of 165°F.
- In a small saucepan, combine bourbon, orange juice, ketchup, cherry syrup, sugar, and orange bitters. Whisk until smooth, bring to a boil, then reduce to a simmer. Let the sauce thicken slightly, then set aside and keep warm.
- Place the smoked wings in a large bowl, pour the warm sauce over them, and toss until well coated. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce and enjoy!
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