Cooking with alcohol is a fantastic way to bring out the flavors of your food and add a new flavor profile to make a dish more interesting. There are some types of liquor and wine that are most commonly used for cooking. Learn about a few of them to decide which you’d like to try out in the kitchen.

Popular Liquors Used for Cooking

1. White Wine

White wine is lauded as the most versatile alcohol for cooking. Look for a wine that is dry and crisp; some of the best wines to use here include Sauvignon Blanc, Chardonnay, and Pino Grigio. Use it for deglazing, marinating meats, and adding to sauces to add a delicious, complex flavor profile.

2. Red Wine

Because different wines have such a wide range of flavors, there’s a lot of options. A light- to medium-bodied wine is best; some popular choices include a Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot, or Pinot Noir. Add the wine to sauces or marinate and braise meats with it. It provides a bit of a deeper flavor than white wine and pairs better with meats, whereas white goes well with pasta and fish.

3. Whiskey

Whiskey functions similarly to salt. Because this liquor is aged, it has some delicious flavors that will amplify your food. A splash added to desserts such as ice cream or brownies will bring out the sweetness; using it as a marinade will bring out the smokiness in meats.

4. Rum

Rum is often used for desserts because it’s made from sugar cane. It adds sweetness and a caramel flavor to your dishes, so it can be added to cakes and fruit dishes. Spiced rum adds more of an exotic flavor to desserts and pairs well with flavors such as cinnamon and nutmeg.

5. Vodka

Vodka is used in baking because it makes the dough malleable for working without needing to add water. After it burns off, the result is a flaky crust that melts in the mouth. Vodka also pairs nicely with pasta and tomatoes, so it can be used to add a kick in a pasta sauce.

When you’re ready to try cooking some new dishes, get stocked up on your liquor at Universal Discount Package Store in Norwich, CT. Their liquor store is over 8,000 square feet and has the largest wine selection in the area along with other spirits and micro-brews. Browse their inventory online, call them at (860) 889-6555 with any questions, and visit their store on Main Street.