Whether you’re a New York or Chicago dog fan, July 4th is prime time to fire up the grill and enjoy an American classic. Join ABC Fine Wine & Spirits as we share the best cocktail and hot dog pairings for the Fourth of July, from sea to shining sea.
Culinary capitals across the United States have been competing for centuries over one particular foodie claim to fame - which city makes the best hot dog? The truth is: not all hot dogs are created equal. And for that we are thankful! Each dog features a different set of flavors, toppings and condiments that make them distinct and delicious.
Instead of deciding which dog reigns supreme, we're crowning ALL of them with their very own cocktail pairing, matched specifically to complement each hog dog’s unique flavors for the Fourth of July.
When it comes down to dogs in NYC, simplicity is the secret. The iconic New York hot dog is traditionally topped with tangy sauerkraut or onions sautéed with tomato paste and a healthy squeeze of spicy brown mustard. This un-fussed-with corner cart dog serves up bold flavors, and pairing it with a Jack Apple Fizz is a match made in Manhattan. With its crisp apple flavor and bubbly effervescence, this refreshing whiskey cocktail is the Big Apple's answer to a perfect hot dog pairing, na’ mean?
The Cocktail Recipe
â…“ ounce fresh lemon juice
Lemon wheel
Pour whiskey and lemon juice over ice. Top with soda water. Garnish with lemon wheel.
In Chi-town, the hot dogs are loaded like the city’s skyline. Piled high atop a warm poppy seed bun, you’ll find fresh tomato, crunchy pickle spears, sport peppers, sweet onion, mustard, relish and, of course, the celery salt! For this Windy City dog, we had to pair the quintessential Chicagoan cocktail: the Old Fashioned. This duo is the ultimate combination of sweet, savory and spice. Chicago's claim and connection to the cocktail originates from the name given to the blend of bourbon, bitters, sugar and orange in a Chicago Tribune article in 1880. Evidence suggests it gained popularity in the 1850s and '60s, but it wasn’t until the recipe was first published referring to it as an “old-fashioned cocktail’ (credited to a bartender named Theodore Proulx), that its status was solidified as an iconic drink in Chicago's cocktail history.1
The Cocktail Recipe
2 dashes aromatic bitters
Few dashes water
Place sugar cube in a glass and add bitters. Next, add water and muddle until dissolved. Place a large ice cube in glass and add whiskey. Stir lightly to combine. Garnish with orange peel and a cherry.
The Detroit Hot Dog, also known as the Coney Dog, is a beefy bite smothered in chili, shredded sharp cheddar cheese and raw onion. It's an iconic street food that represents the heart and soul of the Motor City. And what’s better than a cold beer and a hot dog on a sweltering day? Pair this dog with a Summer Shandy, a summertime classic beer-tail (beer cocktail) that’s as easy to make as it is refreshing.
The Cocktail Recipe
½ 12-ounce bottle of Blue Moon Belgium White
6 ounces lemonade
Pour the beer into a pint glass until it is halfway full. Fill the rest of the pint glass with lemonade and garish with a lemon wheel.
Reppin’ the West Coast, our next dog comes from the City by the Bay - FINALLY, a dog with bacon on it! This Cali classic is all about the toppings - think smoky bacon wrapped around a juicy hot dog, topped with crispy lettuce and juicy tomato served with cool mayo. For a hot dog with BLT toppings, you’ll need a cocktail to match: enter Tom’s BLT (bourbon, lemon, tonic)! This cocktail packs a punch with Tom Sims Kentucky Bourbon, but it's perfectly balanced by the zip of fresh lemon juice and the fizz of the tonic water. It's like a taste of San Fran in a glass: bold, refreshing and full of flavor.
The Cocktail Recipe
2 ounces Tom Sims Kentucky Bourbon
4 ounces tonic water
½ ounce fresh lemon juice
Lemon wheel
Pour bourbon, tonic water and lemon juice into a glass with ice. Stir to combine and garnish with a lemon wheel.
For our final dog and drink match-up, we headed south to Hotlanta. This Southern-inspired slaw dog is smothered with a cool and crunchy combo of fresh cabbage, a bite of vinegar, chopped veggies and a touch of sugar. And because we are headed to the Peach State, we’re pairing it up with Peach Sun Tea. This icy cocktail combines Cooper's Mark Peach Bourbon, sweet tea and a hint of simple syrup. The secret to this delicious match lies in the irresistible Georgia peach flavor. The sweetness of the peach complements the savory hot dog, while the smooth bourbon in the cocktail highlights the dog's rich and diverse flavors.
The Cocktail Recipe
Cocktail:
1 ½ ounces Cooper's Mark Peach Bourbon
6 ounces sun tea*
¼ ounce simple syrup
Peach wedge
*Sun Tea:
8 bags black tea
8 cups water
For the sun tea: Place black tea bags and water into a gallon glass container. Set container in direct sunlight for 3-5 hours, or until the tea has reached your desired strength. Remove from sun and store in the refrigerator until ready to drink.
For the cocktail: Combine bourbon, sun tea and simple syrup into a shaker with ice. Shake well and strain into a glass with fresh ice. Garnish with a peach wedge.
