Sometimes when we have a drink, we just don't want to mess around. Give us something strong, and give it to us now. Thank goodness for the boilermaker. This gritty drink is super easy to make (no mixing involved — except in your gut, of course), and it'll save you from having to make a choice between beer and whiskey. Because sometimes, you want both.
How to Make a Boilermaker Drink
If you're looking for a tough, gritty, strong drink that'll possibly put a little hair on your chest, then the boilermaker is definitely your drink. Bonus: it's super easy to make.
Ingredients
- 1½ ounces whiskey
- 6 ounces lager
Instructions
- In a shot glass, add whiskey.
- In a pint glass, add lager.
- Drop the shot glass into the lager.
Boilermaker Drink Variations
So long as you have whiskey and a beer, there's a boilermaker drink recipe you can use.
- Bourbon has a softer, more caramel profile, while rye has a sharper, spicy flavor.
- Experiment with different types of beer, such as IPAs, pale ales, lagers, or stouts.
- Give it a flavorful punch by using a homemade fruit-infused whiskey. Pick a softer flavor, such as apple-infused whiskey with a pale ale, a cherry-infused whiskey with a stout, or a lemon-infused whiskey with a lager.
- Instead of dropping the shot glass into the pint glass, add the whiskey directly to the beer and sip. You can also sip the shot and beer side by side.
Should You Garnish a Boilermaker?
The boilermaker is one of those drinks that doesn't classically call for a garnish. Especially if you're dropping the shot glass into the pint glass, you don't want to have to contend with another object while drinking it. If you opt to pour your whiskey straight into the beer, a lemon wheel, slice or wedge would make for a nice garnish.
People have been slugging boilermakers back since the 1800s.
A Drink That's as Bold as Its Name
The boilermaker is a bit tamer than an Irish slammer or Jägerbomb, as there's no need to consume the drink immediately or gulp it down. Whether you opt to pour your whiskey straight into your beer or drop the whiskey and shot glass in together, the boilermaker is a drink that'll add some bite to your life.
