Skip to main content

Big Bubba Bourbon Cocktail Pairs Perfectly with Pig (Recipe & Video)

Swig & Swine, a slow-cooked BBQ joint in Charleston, South Carolina, recently introduced The Manual to their well-loved The Big Bubba bourbon cocktail and we have to tell you, it pairs perfectly with all things hog.

Patrick Kish, COO of Queen Street Hospitality Group, crafted The Big Bubba and the drink has been on the Swig & Swine menu since opening day in 2013. The team was fond of the quirky, country name and thought it would be a fun fit for their barbecue joint. Virgil Kaine Ginger Infused Bourbon was Patrick’s go-to bourbon base because the style was really popular at the time and the flavor just worked. The addition of the pineapple and basil made for a great, refreshing, well-balanced cocktail. We couldn’t agree more.

Enjoy The Big Bubba bourbon cocktail while your barbecue smokes or while savoring the final product–the combination of the intense smokey flavors of the BBQ with the slight spice of the ginger-infused bourbon combine to create a savory, solid drink that you or your guests will want any time the urge for a BBQ strikes.

The Big Bubba

(Created by Patrick Kish, Swig & Swine, Charleston, South Carolina)

  • 1.5 oz Virgil Kaine Ginger Infused Bourbon
  • 2-3 basil leaves
  • 3 oz pineapple juice
  • Splash of Goslings Ginger Beer
  • Squeeze of lime

Method: Muddle the basil with the Virgil Kaine, then add ice and pineapple juice. Shake. Top with ginger beer and a squeeze of lime.

Cator Sparks
Former Former Digital Trends Contributor, The Manual
Cator Sparks was the Editor-in-Chief of The Manual from its launch in 2012 until 2018. Previously, Cator was covering…
These dive bars don’t care about trends—and that’s exactly why we love them
Top dive bars
Dark bar with three empty barstools

Here's to the lowbrow watering hole. These practical establishments don't need bells and whistles like house-made tinctures and custom light fixtures. No, they've given us enough as it is, from that Cheers-like hospitality to that vintage dive bar smell.

Here's to the dive bar. The temple for regulars where a jukebox is preferred to a playlist, a sticker-covered bathroom is the norm, and a regular spoon, not a bar spoon, will do just fine for mixing drinks. Oh, and the drinks tend to be strong.

Read more
I tested Hestan’s ProBond Luxe line — why it’s a smart investment for everyday cooking
Hestan ProBond

After using Hestan's NanoBond cookware for a few months, I've found myself cooking almost exclusively with stainless steel pans. Why? It was the brand’s durability and performance that quickly won me over. So when the new ProBond Luxe line launched, I was curious to see how it would stack up, especially as a more accessible alternative to Hestan's higher-end collections.

Released earlier this month, the ProBond Luxe cookware is made from tri-ply stainless steel and was designed in collaboration with professional chefs. I tested one of the pans in my home kitchen to see how it handled everyday cooking — from weeknight meals to weekend experiments.

Read more
Beyond burgers: The underrated steak cuts perfect for tailgating
The cuts that turn a parking lot grill into a five-star pregame
Grilling at a tailgating party.

Tailgates are supposed to be a party. Friends circled around a cooler, the smell of charcoal in the air, someone balancing a too-full plate on the hood of a car. But too often the food feels like an afterthought — burgers, dogs, maybe a bag of chips if someone remembered. Fine, sure, but not exactly memorable.

If you’re firing up a grill in a parking lot, you might as well make it worth the trouble. This year, skip the sad burger patties and show up with beef that makes people stop mid-conversation. Tri-tip, hanger steak, flap steak — cuts with actual personality. They’re flavorful, affordable, and cook up beautifully without requiring you to be an award-winning pitmaster. Trust me, once you serve steak at a tailgate, there’s no going back.

Read more