Bourbon & Bacon. What’s not to love? It was only a matter of time before someone wrote a love letter to two of the smokiest and most American flavors known to man. That someone is Southern Living's Morgan Murphy and his book is called, BOURBON & BACON: The Ultimate Guide to the South’s Favorite Food Groups.

Murphy—author of the best-selling Southern Living: Off the Eaten Path series and judge on Travel Channel’s new American Grilled—is the first to devote an entire book to pairing the South’s two most indulgent flavors. Both history lesson and cookbook in one, Murphy begins “Part One: Bourbon” and “Part Two: Bacon” with the rich lore and creative process behind both distilling “the great American spirit” and slicing everyone’s favorite “magical” cut of pork. Each section concludes with a collection of Southern Living-tested recipes—with more than 115 recipes in all—for nearly every treat you can imagine: savory and sweet bourbon cocktails by the glass and pitcher; bourbon butters, jams, dressings and desserts; and perfectly baconized appetizers, sides, entrées, and sweets.

Along the way, readers find Murphy’s expert tasting notes, his trademark Southern wit, and enough fun to make moderation ride off into the sunset. As Murphy says, "if it's not brown put it down." Wise words Mr. Murphy.