Brown Sugar Bourbon Vanilla Ice Cream with Kansas City BBQ Rub Grilled Peaches

Summer BBQ Dessert: Brown Sugar Bourbon Ice Cream with Grilled Peaches

August 18, 2025

There is something magical about pairing smoky grilled fruit with rich, homemade ice cream. In the summer months, peaches are at their sweetest, and when kissed by the flame they develop an incredible caramelized flavor. Match that with bourbon-laced vanilla ice cream and you get a dessert that balances warm and cold, spicy and sweet. By adding a dusting of Revolution Barbecue Kansas City BBQ Rub to the peaches before they hit the grill, you introduce a layer of smoke, spice, and sweetness that sets this dish apart. It is the kind of dessert that surprises guests at a cookout and reminds everyone that barbecue is not just about meat—it can elevate dessert too.

Brown Sugar Bourbon Vanilla Ice Cream with Kansas City BBQ Rub Grilled Peaches

Rated 5.0 stars by 1 users

Cuisine

American

Author: Glenn Connaughton

Glenn Connaughton

Servings

Prep Time

30 minutes

Cook Time

30 minutes

Calories

470

This dessert goes way beyond a scoop and slice. We’re talking creamy custard-style vanilla ice cream sweetened with dark brown sugar, whipped with vanilla paste, and hit with a splash of bourbon at the churn. Once frozen solid, it’s crowned with grilled peaches—seasoned with Revolution Barbecue Kansas City BBQ Rub and brown sugar, then kissed by flame. After grilling, the peach halves are quartered for serving, letting their juices melt right into the cold ice cream. That balance of boozy chill and smoky char? Pure pitmaster perfection.

Cook Mode

Ingredients

For the Ice Cream

5 large egg yolks
3/4 cup dark brown sugar
2 tablespoons vanilla bean paste
1/8 teaspoon coarse Kosher salt
1 cup whole milk (269 milliliters)
2 cups heavy whipping cream, divided (490 milliliters)
2 tablespoons good-quality bourbon (we used Breckenridge Distillery Reserve Blend)

For the Grilled Peaches

4 ripe peaches, halved and pits removed
1 tablespoon Revolution Barbecue Kansas City BBQ Rub
2 tablespoons dark brown sugar

Directions

Build the Custard Base: In a heavy saucepan, whisk the egg yolks and dark brown sugar until smooth and glossy. Stir in the vanilla paste, salt, milk, and 1 cup of the cream.
Heat Gently: Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly with a spatula, until the custard thickens slightly and coats the spoon. Do not let it boil.
Chill Completely: Strain through a fine-mesh sieve into a clean bowl, cover, and refrigerate until completely chilled. Overnight is best to lock in the flavor.
Whip and Fold: Whip the remaining 1 cup of cream to soft peaks. Gently fold it into the chilled custard base.
Churn and Freeze: Churn in your ice cream maker until soft-serve texture. Add the bourbon during the final minute of churning. Transfer to a lidded container and freeze until scoopable, about 8 to 10 hours.
Prepare the Peaches: When ready to serve, halve the peaches and remove the pits. Sprinkle the cut sides with Revolution Barbecue Kansas City BBQ Rub and dark brown sugar. Let them rest for 30 minutes while you preheat the grill.
Grill the Peaches: Grill the peach halves over medium-high heat, cut-side down, until the sugar caramelizes and the flesh is lightly charred, about 2 to 3 minutes per side.
Slice and Serve: Cut the grilled peach halves into quarters. Scoop the bourbon vanilla ice cream into bowls and top with the warm peach slices and any juices. Serve immediately.

Recipe Note

This dessert is a flavor bomb built for BBQ season. Revolution Barbecue Kansas City BBQ Rub transforms ripe peaches into smoky-sweet perfection when grilled, while the brown sugar bourbon vanilla ice cream chills everything out with creamy depth and a boozy finish. We used Breckenridge Distillery Reserve Blend to bring a touch of Colorado’s finest to the mix—smooth, rich, and just bold enough to shine through the custard. It’s that contrast—sweet and savory, hot and cold—that makes this one unforgettable. If you’re looking to turn up the flavor on dessert, grab a bottle of Revolution Barbecue Kansas City BBQ Rub and see what else it can do. Shop our full line of bold small-batch seasonings at Revolution Barbecue.

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, and should only be used as an approximation

Serving Size 1 serving (265 grams)
Calories 470, Fat 27 grams, Polyunsaturated Fat 2 milligrams, Monounsaturated Fat 8 milligrams, Carbs 45 grams, Protein 7 grams, Potassium 510 milligrams, Fiber 3 grams, Sodium 150 milligrams, Sugar 41 grams, Iron 1 milligrams