Cherry Bourbon Burgers

Ingredients

• 3/4 pound ground venison
• 1/4 pound ground beef
• 6 fluid ounces cherry-flavored Kentucky bourbon whiskey (such as Evan Williams), or more as desired
• 5 slices bacon, cooked and crumbled
• 1 teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper
• 1 cup barbeque sauce
• 4 slices pepper Jack cheese

Directions

Preheat an outdoor grill for medium-high heat and lightly oil the grate.

Combine venison and ground beef together in a bowl. Add bourbon; set aside until liquid is absorbed, about 10 minutes. Add bacon and black pepper; mix until thoroughly combined. Form into 4 equal-sized burger patties.

Cook burgers on preheated grill, basting with barbeque sauce throughout cooking, until no longer pink in the center and the juices run clear, about 5 minutes per side. An instant-read thermometer inserted into the center should read at least 165 degrees F (74 degrees C). Top burgers with pepper jack cheese and cook until cheese is melted, about 1 minute.