McCormick Grill Mates Marinades, Brown Sugar Bourbon

McCormick Grill Mates Brown Sugar Bourbon is a small 1.25‑ounce seasoning packet you’d spot on the grocery store spice and seasoning aisle, shelved with other marinades, rubs and bottled barbecue sauces — often near the meat department and grilling accessories. It’s designed for quick backyard cooks and tailgaters: a sweet, smoky blend that promises bourbon-like warmth without the liquid alcohol. Shoppers pull it for weekend barbecues, last‑minute marinades, or to add a caramelized glaze when grilling chicken, pork or shrimp. The brand leans into classic American grilling culture — bold, familiar, and convenience‑focused — aimed at middle‑income family cooks, hosts and anyone who wants crowd‑pleasing BBQ flavor with minimal fuss. The label highlights brown sugar, bourbon and natural flavoring, but there’s no organic or specialty certification; the product uses “natural flavor” claims alongside functional ingredients like modified corn starch and gum arabic. In plain processing context, this is a highly processed seasoning mix formulated with stabilizers and flavor extracts to perform consistently. Sensory cues: a fine, slightly granular powder with sticky edges from sugar, a sweet caramel and smoky aroma, and a glossy single‑use packet that dissolves into oil, vinegar and water to create a marinade. Usage ritual is simple — mix, toss with meat, marinate, grill — which reinforces its convenience appeal. The overall story is familiar Americana: shortcut flavor that lets home cooks deliver indulgent, crowd‑friendly barbecue results without specialized ingredients or lengthy prep.