
I like football but I don’t have the time to follow it. I wish I could just sit on my couch for hours every Sunday and Monday night, but that is never going to happen. The Super Bowl, however, is not just football. It’s an excuse to have a party! And these Whiskey and Honey Baked Drumsticks are the perfect party food.
They’re a little heartier than a wing but still really easy to eat. This recipe is my Food Blogger’s Recipe Swap for January and they’re actually supposed to be wings, but I don’t like wings. Baked drumsticks sounded like a really good substitute.
I was assigned A Lil’ Dab of Bourbon this month for the recipe swap, and she has some really amazing recipes. I almost made her Blueberry Bourbon BBQ Sauce (I still plan to) but when I saw her Baked Smoked Honey Bourbon Wings, they just grabbed me.
I did make quite a few changes to the recipe, though, to fit what I had on hand. I used regular honey instead of smoked honey, I looked up the spice combination for a Dirty Bird rub and put together my best approximation of that, and I thought I had a lemon but I didn’t, so I used apple cider vinegar for the acid. Also, the drumsticks.
I did a test run tonight for my family and they were a huge hit. I got resounding yummy sounds and compliments from the littlest 18 month old up to the full grown men. I fully intend on making them for our friends on Super Bowl Sunday!
If you need some more Game Day menu inspiration, check out 20 Healthy Super Bowl Recipes.
Yields 10-15 drumsticks
These Baked Drumsticks with Whiskey and Honey are an easy dinner or party food. Game day won't be the same without them!
2 hrPrep Time
45 minCook Time
2 hr, 45 Total Time
Ingredients
- 10-15 drumsticks
- 2 tsps salt
- 1 tsp pepper
- 2 tsp smoked paprika
- 1/4 tsp red pepper flakes
- 1 1/2 tsp garlic powder
- 1/4 cup brown sugar
- 2 tsp corn starch
- 2 Tablespoons apple cider vinegar
- 3/4 cup Whiskey
- 1/4 cup honey
Instructions
- Combine all the dry ingredients in a bowl and mix together.
- Add the wet ingredients and whisk until combined.
- Place all the drumsticks in a large ziplock bag, pour in the marinade and close the bag tightly. Mush the bag around to coat each drumstick with the marinade, then place the bag in a large bowl. Refrigerate for at least two hours, but overnight is better.
- Preheat your oven to 400 degrees.
- Line a baking sheet with foil and put a cooling rack on it. Arrange the drumsticks on the rack so that the thick ends are toward the edge and the end you hold is toward the center of the rack.
- Bake for 30 minutes then turn them over and bake for another 15 minutes.
- Let sit for 10 minutes before eating. Enjoy!
I don’t like it when chicken looks really black and dark, these look terrific! These would go fast around here.
Thank you! I was really happy with how crispy and brown they turned out 🙂
I didn’t even know that smoked honey was a thing! And the hubs would love these- he loves anything cooked with whiskey haha!
I didn’t either! And I really wasn’t going to go buy a whole jar of it for one recipe haha.
This sounds fantastic. I have never cooked with whiskey before. Lovely!
Thanks, Linda! Actually, this was my first time too! I’ll be doing it again, for sure.
It seems really easy too. And I love red pepper flakes on just about anything!
Hey, Linda! Yes, it’s super easy. I hope you give it a try!
I really have to agree with you..no time to watch Football every week but the Superbowl I watch..Big food party..Haha. I’m loving how you added Whiskey to the wings. Perfect for a Superbowl party!
Thank you! You can taste just the right amount of Whiskey in them, too. I hope you give them a try!
Mmmm…I love a good drumstick and can only imagine how these whiskey and honey ones taste. They would go over so well during game day and would be perfect for this Sunday’s big game!
Thanks, Megan! I can’t wait to share them with our friends on Super Bowl Sunday!
Well, I happen to LOVE wings, so I might try your recipe with wings instead 😉 I love the sound of combining whisky and honey - I can already taste it!
It never occurred to me to cook with whisky. What a great idea! And I’m not a football fan, but I do love me some yummy finger foods!
Ooo yummy! These look so darn tasty, they would be enough to make me watch sport on TV (and I usually hate it lol). Your photos are so appetising too 😀
Thank you! I would watch any sport if I got to eat yummy food while doing it haha
Those are some great looking chicken drumsticks! I have a quick question though. My home is alcohol free - what could I substitute the whiskey with? I know it would change the flavour profile, but I’m just curious. Thanks. 🙂
Thanks, Byron! Hmmm, I think these would be great with OJ instead of Whiskey! Let me know what you try and how it turns out!
Honey and whiskey are AMAZING together - these drums look fantastic and juicy. Love that you describe it as “the end you hold” when referring to the bone end of the drum! That’s what I call it!
Hahah! I didn’t know what else to call it! And yes, these flavors together are so great. I hope you try the recipe!
I have often cooked with wine (I cook with it though I don’t drink it…LOL) but have never tried whiskey before. Looking at this delicious baked drumstick I am thinking, next time I should.Love the many layers of flavors in this chicken!
Oh, yes. Wine for cooking (and drinking!) is always around in my kitchen. I hope you do try it, and please come back to let me know what you think!
Those drumsticks look so good! I love the combination of flavors here. I think we’ll be putting these on the menu here really soon!
Thank you, Tara! Please come back when you do make them to tell me what you think!
These drumsticks are looking fabulous and the combination of whiskey and honey sounds amazing. I can only imagine how good these taste!
Thank you so much, Oana! Every last one was eaten up over here, so I think they were a success!
These look perfect for a Sunday football party! And smoked honey?! I’m definitely going to have to check that out!
I know! I had no idea it was a thing, but it sounds good!
You had me at Whiskey and Honey! I don’t like wings either, but I love this recipe!
Thanks, Sarah! There’s just not enough meat on a wing to interest me haha
Whiskey is one of my favorite things. The more uses I can have for whiskey, the better. These look great!
I’m turning into a Whiskey drinker. The flavor when cooking is so great, too!
I am all about cooking with whiskey and bourbon, so these are right up my alley. I bet my toddler will love them, too - I never thought about making drumsticks for him, but it’s the perfect finger food. A built in handle to hold! Great gameday food for young and old.
Thanks, Julie! Yes, they are perfect for everyone.
I agree with you on drumsticks vs. wings! Wings are OK for bar food nibbles, but when I give a party, I want people to get a real meal.
I’ve marinated meat with wine, but never whisky - interesting idea!
The Whiskey really gives it a great flavor. Thanks for checking the recipe out!