The tart, sweet cherry notes in Mike's Hard Black Cherry Lemonade cut through the smoky richness of this funky, Sonoran-style hot dog. The bold, refreshing flavor of the Hard Black Cherry extinguishes the pleasant and unexpected spice of the pickled jalapeño.
Ingredients
For the Bacon-Wrapped Hot Dogs
- 8 large beef hot dogs (preferably 2 packs of 4)
- 8 slices bacon (thinly sliced works best)
- 8 fresh hot dog buns (top-slit preferred)
- 4 tablespoons salted butter (room temperature)
- 1 cup refried beans or baked beans (warmed)
- 2 firm, ripe Roma tomatoes (diced)
- 1 small red onion (diced)
- 1 cup pickled jalapeños
- Fresh cilantro leaves (for garnish)
For the Zesty Mayo Sauce
- 1 cup mayonnaise
- 2 tablespoons hot sauce
- 1 lime (zest and juice)
- 1 teaspoon granulated garlic
- Salt and black pepper (to taste)
Step-by-Step Instructions
1. Prep and Chill the Hot Dogs
- Wrap each beef hot dog evenly with one slice of thinly sliced bacon.
- Secure the bacon at both ends using toothpicks.
- Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Pro-Tip: Chilling helps the bacon firm up and adhere perfectly to the hot dog so it doesn't unravel on the grill.
2. Grill to Crispy Perfection
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium heat.
- Grill the hot dogs, turning frequently, until the bacon becomes extra crispy but not burnt.
- Note: Maintain controlled, medium heat to ensure the hot dog warms completely through without burning the bacon. Remove toothpicks and set aside.
3. Mix the Zesty Mayo
- In a small bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise, hot sauce, lime zest, lime juice, and granulated garlic until uniform.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
4. Toast the Buns
- Spread the salted butter onto the outsides of the top-slit buns.
- Gently griddle the buns on medium heat until they are just golden brown.
5. Assemble and Serve
- Spread a generous schmear of warm refried beans inside the bottom of each toasted bun.
- Place the bacon-wrapped hot dog on top of the beans.
- Load with toppings: Add the diced tomatoes, diced red onion, and pickled jalapeños.
- Drizzle with sauce: Finish with a generous drizzle of the zesty mayo and garnish with fresh cilantro leaves. Serve immediately with your favorite extra hot sauce!
