Move over, mimosas. The caramel notes of bourbon make this tipple a top choice for morning sips and eats. We've compiled some delightful breakfast uses for it, and although there are many types of bourbon , most of the time you can use your personal preference for these ideas.

We consulted with a couple of chefs to help us come up with the most interesting options for combining bourbon and breakfast at home. Chris Stewart is the owner and executive chef at The Glass Onion in Charleston, South Carolina. He notes that bourbon works particularly well with sweeter options because the spirit is aged in burnt barrels, which leads to a vanilla flavor profile. Ranveer Brar is a chef and owner of Kashkan Restaurants , focusing on showcasing Indian cuisine. Brar shares a few ways to devour bourbon as a cooking ingredient in a variety of breakfast recipes.

Most of these concepts for enjoying bourbon with breakfast do include something sweet, but there is a lot of flexibility. Whether you're a bourbon enthusiast or have a bottle collecting dust that you're not sure what to do with, we have plenty of ideas for ways to use it while watching the sun rise. From hearty morning meals to topping sauces to drinks, these suggestions will make you want to grab that bottle of bourbon when inspiration hits. We have a feeling you're going to think these are pretty neat.

1. Upgrade breakfast dishes with bourbon caramel sauce

The smoothness of a bourbon-enhanced caramel sauce can make all the difference for morning treats. You can create this delicious liquid gold and use it in a few ways, so it's not a one-hit wonder. This sauce adds a luxurious touch to French toast, for example.

Start by gathering your usual caramel sauce recipe ingredients, such as brown sugar, butter, heavy cream, and vanilla extract. Make the sauce as instructed, but pour in a bit of bourbon before heating it on the stove. "The smoky essence of the sweet buttery caramel has been given a lift by bourbon, thus making your breakfast feel extraordinary," says Ranveer Brar. Cook the sauce until it's slightly thickened, then generously drizzle it over your French toast. Brar then recommends topping the French toast with whipped cream and fresh berries to make it a filling meal. This sauce would also be delightful when slathered atop a decadent stack of pancakes.

4. Splash bourbon into batter for baked goods

Your baked breakfast delights, such as muffins and scones, can get a warm boost with bourbon. Try it out by adding bourbon to the batter for a pumpkin streusel muffin recipe . Its maple syrup, vanilla, brown sugar, and spices meld perfectly with the flavor notes you find in bourbon. The added liquor also works well with the citrus notes of cranberry orange muffins or the cocoa of chocolate banana muffins. For any of these muffin recipes, add about a quarter cup of bourbon into the batter, and mix thoroughly.

Bourbon works in many types of scones, too. Try this combination in peach scones, vanilla bean scones, or even in savory bacon scones. Start with a small amount of bourbon, around 2 tablespoons, for each batch of scones. Gently incorporate the bourbon into the liquid mixture, before slowly pouring this into the dry ingredients to make the batter. You'll find that bourbon complements the warmth and spices in many types of baked goods, and it can also be used to enhance icing or frosting.

7. Add a little bourbon to coffee

This is easily the simplest way to enjoy bourbon at breakfast time. "Surprisingly, bourbon and coffee pair well together," says Ranveer Brar. A Kentucky coffee works because the bourbon's vanilla, caramel, and oaky flavors meld with coffee's bitter notes. However, you can modify it with different bourbon or coffee varieties for a specific profile, such as leaning toward a bourbon with notes of cinnamon or clove for a festive drink. You'll also find the coffee itself may have nuanced flavors, like the chocolate notes of Brazilian beans.

Some people are partial to certain coffee temperatures, but you can try this blend with both hot or iced coffee. Add a splash of plain or flavored cream and mix in some sugar or brown sugar syrup as a warm way to start your day. "My suggestion is to use good-quality bourbon and freshly brewed coffee for the best result," says Brar. An ounce of bourbon in a 6-ounce cup of coffee ought to do the trick, but you can adjust the proportion to suit your preference. This is an excellent drink to whip up for a celebratory morning.

11. Make a bourbon glaze

A bourbon glaze made with confectioner's sugar, butter, whole milk, and vanilla extract can be a sweet addition for varied breakfast and brunch items. To start, you might want to try adding bourbon glaze to pillowy homemade cinnamon rolls . Make your glaze and include the bourbon along with the milk. Give the glaze additional spiciness with a pinch of cinnamon to complement the rolls.

Ranveer Brar explains that the alcohol intensifies the cinnamon's spiciness. After baking, pour the glaze over the rolls for a sticky and sweet addition. "Accompany it with hot tea or coffee for an enjoyable breakfast experience," says Brar. The glaze only takes a few minutes to make, as you wait for the butter to melt and the sugar to dissolve. After it cools, it's ready to use, creating a sophisticated flavor profile when topped on treats like donuts, scones, pound cake, or anything you like glazed.

15. Sip on a bourbon hot tea

Your next cup of tea is always just an infusion away, but you can add a little bourbon to this concoction for an extra-soothing morning beverage. Create a spin on a warm hot toddy by blending bourbon with your favorite black or fruit tea. Add complexity with enhancements like sliced lime, orange peel, ginger, or cinnamon sticks . Rather than making tea directly in the mug, you'll place the tea and any add-ins in a pot to let it simmer and then steep on the stove. The smell alone fills you with joy. It's as comforting as a plain cup of tea but with a few flavorful upgrades.

You can also opt to use a decaffeinated black tea or customize the flavor intensity by steeping the beverage for a longer or shorter period. Forget the tea bag altogether when boiling ingredients like honey, ginger, ginger beer, and nutmeg together for a warming bourbon tea. The smoky bourbon, fruits, and spices combine to make a festive drink to sip as you eat breakfast.