This recipe comes from Maker’s Mark Bourbon and a menu of fall/winter dishes paired with Maker’s cocktails. I honestly loved the salad but didn’t care much for the cocktail pairing… too sweet and apple schnapps-y. Try just a simple Maker’s on the rocks to go with!

Recipe: Salads: Maker’s Mark, Blue Cheese & Spinach Salad
1 lb. fresh spinach, cleaned and stems removed
1 Tbs. shallots
2 strips bacon (uncooked)
1 tsp. butter
2 oz. red wine vinegar
4 mushrooms, thinly slices
2 Tbs. Maker’s Mark
4 oz. crumbled Bleu Cheese 

Clean and rinse spinach thoroughly. In small pan, lightly sauté shallots and bacon in butter; drain bacon, break into pieces and return to pan. Add red wine vinegar and mushrooms. Flame mixture with bourbon. In large bow, toss spinach and bleu cheese with hot vinegar/bourbon mixture until all leaved are thoroughly coated. Serve immediately.