Either you “get” the magic of camping or you don’t. We can only take you so far — setting you up with dreamy swimming holes in every single state and hyping you on the best beers to drink around a campfire. If those things don’t turn you on, we probably can’t help you. Unless you’re right on the fence. In that case, perhaps we can turn the tide with one simple dessert: s’mores.
This summer staple consisting of a fire toasted marshmallow resting on a piece of melty milk chocolate (or a peanut butter cup if you’re into that sort of thing) between a sandwich of graham crackers is outdoor culinary perfection. But since we’re dead set on making summer ’19 extra AF, we’ve decided you should go a step further — pairing this chocolate-centric treat with whiskey.
To find the right matchups, we asked some of our favorite bartenders for help. Check their answers below!
Blanton’s
Kelly McGee, Beverage Manager at Park Avenue Tavern in New York City
My favorite whiskey/bourbon to pair with a s’more is probably Blanton’s. Smooth and savory to go along with the sweetness of the chocolate and marshmallow.
Corsair Triple Smoke
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Gabrielle Ricord, lead bartender at Outpost in Goleta, California
I would pair Corsair Triple Smoke with a nice gooey s’more. I like the hint of campfire smoke that you get when you’re making s’mores, and the Corsair also incorporates that subtlety through charred barrel — with slight peat and rich cherry flavors that make it a perfect camping nightcap. (Plus, the label is really cool.)
Maker’s Mark
Nacohle Hansen, bartender at Hazel, Ravines and Downtown in Birmingham, Michigan
Maker’s Mark has always been a favorite whiskey of mine. The high alcohol content will combat the sweetness of S’mores, for a perfect pairing.
Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey
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Sam Padilla, bartender at The Holding Company in San Diego
Skrewball Peanut Butter Whiskey. I’ve always added peanut butter to my S’mores so Skrewball would be my go-to. Plus, peanut butter, chocolate, and marshmallow is a no brainer.
George Dickel No. 12
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Josh Cameron, Head Bartender at Boulton & Watt in New York City
Campfire and s’mores call for Dickel. It’s one of the best whiskeys and we all too often forget about it in NYC. My buddy, renowned bartender Ryan Herzog, brought a bottle on a camping trip in upstate New York. Let’s just say we built some fires, broke some axes, and tipped some canoes.
Point being: Dickel is the campfire whiskey.
Jameson Caskmates Stout Edition
Daniel King, beverage director at Liberty Common in Nashville
I immediately think of Jameson Caskmates. The stout edition is finished in casks that held Irish stout beer, so there’s a lingering of some chocolate, vanilla and coffee flavors that would just ease you right on into a bite of s’more.
Springbank 10
Jack Galobich, bartender of The Gage in Chicago
In general, a nice single malt would be great. Springbank 10 year with its richer fruit, caramel notes, and balanced peat would be wonderful with the bitter/sweetness of the s’more and the smell of a smoldering fire.
Michter’s Toasted Barrel Finish
Mark Hawkins, director of food & beverage at RT Lodge in Mayville, Tennessee
Michter’s Toasted Barrel Finish. Aged in two separate barrels for maximum char and toasted notes this is the perfect bourbon to match the char and smoke of your carefully constructed s’more.
High West Campfire
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Joey Biñas, bartender at Bootlegger in San Diego
S’mores, obviously, are made outdoors with friends in front of a roaring fire. I really prefer bourbons, which have a nice sweetness in comparison to ryes. High West Campfire is a very popular one — both with myself and with the locals. It’s simple and keeps you cozy, rain or shine.
Old Grandad
Torrence R. O’Haire, beverage director & sommelier of Gage Hospitality Group in Chicago
S’mores by the campfire require Old Granddad, for nostalgia’s sake, or Balvenie Caribbean Cask for a personal favorite, full of caramelly flavors to give the grahams and mallows a boost.
Jack Daniel’s
Justin Monell, general manager at BLVD & MAIN in Las Vegas
If you’re by a campfire, it has to be traditional like Jack Daniels. S’mores, camping, and Jack Daniels is just pure American history.
Buffalo Trace
Ilan Chartor, spiritual advisor at KYU in Miami
My favorite whiskey to pair with chocolate s’mores would be Buffalo Trace Bourbon. There’s enough bite to cut through the sweetness but the barrel aging gives it woody, vanilla, and banana notes that go great with dessert.
Widow Jane 10-Year Bourbon
Rich Depascale, beverage manager at The Wilson in New York City
Widow Jane 10-year Bourbon. My favorite bourbon on earth. Widow Jane 10 year pairs with any dessert because of its subtle flavor of vanilla, clean oak flavors from the barrels, and has the smoothest, cleanest finish. Like silk on your tongue.
