This Bourbon Meatballs Recipe is a Party Food Staple!

Bourbon Meatballs are one of the most beloved party foods at cocktail parties. Serve them for holiday parties, family gatherings, or for a Kentucky derby party. This is one recipe you’ll reach for again and again.

Cocktail meatballs in bourbon sauce can be made ahead in the slow cooker for easy entertaining.

Cocktail meatballs are a must-have item for any party menu. It’s as classic as a crudites platter or a cheese board. And it appeals to men, women, and children.

Not only are cocktail meatballs economical, they’re also a great time saver. They feed a crowd with very little effort. The magic is in the sauce and this recipe is tried and true.

These bourbon meatballs also fit right into a derby viewing party since bourbon is a big them at the event.

For the best flavor, make the bourbon meatballs a day ahead and refrigerate overnight.

Letting the recipe sit overnight allows the meatballs to fully absorb the flavors of the sauce. Also, the fat that’s rendered from cooking the meatballs will float to the top and harden when it gets cold. Then you can skim it off with a spoon before re-heating and serving.

For a party, transfer the prepared meatballs to a pretty chafing dish and place on the buffet table.

For a great start to a cocktail party menu serve these meatballs, plus marinated shrimp cocktail. Add one of these baked brie topped 3 ways, and baked spinach dip. Round out with veggie dip cups or a crudites platter.

And for some sweet bites try these champagne jello squares and sweet & spicy pecans.

Bourbon Meatballs Recipe

• 32 ounce bag Frozen meatballs {I get them from Sam’s or Costco}
• 2 cups classic barbecue sauce
• 1 cup bourbon
• 1 cup mustard {yellow}
• 1 cup honey
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder {not garlic salt}
• 1 teaspoon dried onion flakes
• 3 Tablespoons lemon juice
• 1/4 teaspoon Worcestershire sauce

Add frozen meatballs to large crock pot. Combine all of sauce ingredients together in a bowl and then pour over meatballs.

Add lid and cook on high for 2-3 hours. Turn to low or warm setting and serve.

*updated from May 1, 2013

Another bourbon infused recipe that’s great for holidays and derby parties is sweet dessert bourbon balls. These are easier to make than truffles, and make for a fun party favor. Or add it to your dessert table for when you want small bites of sweetness.

Make sure to keep these away from children since it has bourbon inside.

Bourbon Balls

• 1 cup Vanilla Wafers crumbs {pulse about 30 wafers in a food processor to get them crushed}
• 1 cup pecans, toasted and crushed
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 2 Tablespoons cocoa powder
• 1/4 cup good bourbon
• 1 Tablespoons light corn syrup
• 1/2 cup each, cocoa powder and powdered sugar for coating.

In a bowl, combine cookie crumbs, pecans, sugar, and cocoa. Add bourbon and corn syrup and mix well until moistened.

Use a mini scoop for the perfect size and roll into bite size balls. Roll into cocoa powder or powdered sugar for coating and repeat with remaining mixture.

Store in air tight container in the refrigerator for 2 or 3 days for best flavor, and serve or give as gifts.

Makes about 33 bourbon balls

HOSTESS TIP: Give the dessert balls a second coat of sugar or cocoa after refrigerating to make them look pretty. After sitting overnight the original coating can absorb into the ball.

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