Authentic American bourbon Wild Turkey and East London-based smokehouse HotBoxbring a taste of the Bluegrass state to London  

Visitors to HotBox Spitalfields can take a culinary journey to the Real Kentucky, the home of Wild Turkey bourbon, through a carefully paired menu of barbecue dishes and bourbon cocktails.

To start, chow down on slow smoked brisket buns or soak up a traditional Kentucky burgoo crock pot stew, washed down with a’Ten Cent Pistol’ cocktail. Wild Turkey’s high-rye content gives this serve a deep and bold character. With the addition of tea smoke, this is the perfect pairing for those smoky barbecue flavours.

There’s something for all tastes for the main event, from smoked and spritzed mutton shank with layered corn bread salad straight from the heart of Kentucky, to vegetarian stew with roast corn on the cob and Wild Turkey Rye butter. Pair this with the’Ball and Boil’, a zesty serve comprising Wild Turkey Rye topped with fruity IPA, fitting for those with a penchant for the hop.

Or why not try the 18-hour smoked pulled pork main, drenched in barbecue dripping sauce with a side of the Kentucky favourite; the corn bread salad. Father/son distilling duo and legends in the bourbon industry Eddie and Jimmy Russell have never changed the original recipe, but the Wild Turkey 101 expression is aged in American white oak barrels with the deepest char to give more character to the liquid. This makes’White Heat’, a sugar and spice twist on the Wild Turkey 101 Old Fashioned mixed with white chocolate and pepper, the ideal match for this dish.

Those with a sweet tooth can savour chargrilled pineapple with a Wild Turkey 101 glaze to finish, and sip on the’Fifth Element’, a mix of Wild Turkey 101 and fortified wines garnished with candied apple.

Executive Chef at HotBox Lewis Spencer commented: “There are huge regional differences across the US with barbecue. Whilst Londoners are familiar with the Texas barbecue style, Kentucky barbecue has been overlooked. We are excited to bring signature Kentucky barbecue dishes such as mutton, cornbread salad and Kentucky burgoo into the limelight”.

Two course set menu with cocktail pairings – £25

Three course set menu with cocktail pairings – £30

Menu is available by reservation only, please call 020 7247 1817 or [email protected] to book.