These Are Cocktail Pairings From The 76th Emmy Awards

The 76th Emmy® Awards took place on September 15th at 8 PM ET, drawing stars from across the television industry. Hosted by Schitt’s Creek stars and creators, Eugene and Dan Levy, the awards honored the best in American prime time television. Big winners included Baby Reindeer, The Bear, and Shōgun. 

As a whiskey website, though, we were equally interested in what the stars of the night were drinking (…or eating) as the awards were handed out, and what Johnnie Walker fans were enjoying following the awards. And it would be remiss if I didn’t mention the Johnnie Walker Blue sketch ‘blunder’. But first, let’s focus on the good stuff: the food and the whiskey. 

Johnnie Walker Blue Label 

Earlier this month, it was announced that Johnnie Walker would team up with Ebon Moss-Bachrach (award-winning actor and Emmy nominee), Courtney Storer (chef and culinary producer), and Charles Joly (Diageo Reserve World Class award-winning mixologist) to create classy cocktail pairings in celebration of the Emmy’s as the awards’ Official Spirits Partner. 

According to an earlier press release, “Johnnie Walker toasts this year’s outstanding moments in television with bespoke Blue Label cocktail pairings. The talented trio challenges traditional whisky tropes to reveal hidden flavors in Blue Label to enhance dining occasions with unexpected modern sophistication.” 

The team created three delicious pairings. Dishes curated by Courtney Storer incorporated Johnnie Walker Blue Label, and cocktails with innovative twists perfectly complemented the culinary delights. All were inspired by “Ebon Moss-Bachrach’s favorite American handheld bites”. “ Each recipe complements the signature 76th Emmy® Awards cocktails that will be featured at celebrations and surrounding events throughout the season.” 

So, what were these tasty pairings? 

Johnnie Walker At The Emmys Cocktail Pairings 

• Caramelized Onion Burger – “a high-brow twist on an indulgent late-night favorite, combines complex flavors of onions caramelized in Johnnie Walker Blue Label alongside sharp white cheddar cheese and aioli.” – Paired with Elegance In Motion – “ a reimagined Whisky Sour with a hint of fizz.” 
• Steak Frites Bite – “a modern take on a restaurant classic, a handheld hanger steak bite atop a crispy potato paired with a rich Johnnie Walker Blue Label Au Poivre sauce.” – Paired with Dressed For Success – “an elevated twist on a Rob Roy.” 
• Chicago Style Burger – “a smash burger riff on the classic Chicago hot dog, a double patty is finished in a splash of Johnnie Walker Blue Label layered on a poppy seed brioche bun topped with onion, pickles and sport peppers.” – Paired with Lights, Coffee, Action! – “a frozen coffee that playfully takes the popular Espresso Martini to a whole new level.”

Speaking about the collaboration, Courtney Storer said: “I love using Johnnie Walker Blue Label to complement and inspire dishes that create an exceptional culinary experience because of its depth of character achieved by blending rare and perfectly aged whiskies. Our goal was to highlight the subtle nuances in Blue Label and offer a journey of flavor for fans tuning in to the Emmy® Awards at home or seeking inspiration when ordering Blue Label while dining out.”

“I’m thrilled to share my love for food and whisky by partnering with Johnnie Walker and having the opportunity to work with Courtney Storer again, alongside Charles Joly to help bring their incredible craftsmanship to fans across the country,” added Ebon Moss-Bachrach. “We’ve developed three delicious pairings that demonstrate our passion for flavor exploration while integrating Johnnie Walker Blue Label in ways you might not expect. It’s been a fun and creative journey that I can’t wait for people to try.”

Following the awards, a selection of bars and restaurants in California, New York, Miami, and Chicago served up the curated dishes and cocktail pairings for fans of both Johnnie Walker and The Emmys.

The Johnnie Walker Emmy’s Sketch – Banter Or Blunder? 

Many in the viewing public had adverse reactions to a Johnnie Walker sketch starring The Bear’s Ebon Moss-Bachrach and Taylor Zakhar Perez. What Diageo hoped would be a seamless marketing integration, many online saw as “blatantly crass advertising”. 

In an interview with Deadline, Executive Producer, Jesse Collins, defended the sketch saying: “We thought everybody was great in it. It was fun. Johnnie Walker and burgers is a great way to watch the Emmys.” 

As the awards’ Official Spirits Partner, it was not a surprise that Johnnie Walker had a spot in the show. But, was it misused? That’s not for us to say. 

What do you think about the sketch? And would you enjoy Courtney Storer’s Johnnie Walker cocktail pairings? Let us know in the comments below.