2 ounces bourbon ½ ounce maple syrup (grade A ... use the sweet elixir when we cook bacon. In a culinary twist of fate, the natural sweetener is a great cocktail ingredient too.

Or, add some warm spices like cinnamon or nutmeg to accentuate the sweet, earthiness of the maple syrup, or even bourbon and cayenne to make spiced candied bacon (AKA a surefire way to wake you up ...