Make the onions: In a nonstick skillet, heat the oil or bacon grease over medium heat for 1 minute. Add the sweet sliced onions and saute for 3-4 minutes.

Once they start to soften, add the salt, black pepper, sugar and butter. Cook for about 15-20 minutes over medium heat until the onions begin to become golden and caramelize. Add the bourbon and cook for 1 minute longer. Remove the cooked onions from heat and make the burgers.

Pre-heat the grill to medium high heat about 375-400 degrees F.

Make and press the burgers: In a large mixing bowl add the ground beef, bourbon, Worcestershire sauce, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Mix until completely combined, with your hands or with a heavy duty spatula.

Divide the meat mixture into 6 even portions (about 5-6 oz each) on a working surface/tray. Form each portion into a patty about 5” round and 1½” thick. You can also use a burger press to accomplish a round pressed patty. Using your thumb, press a small impression into the center of each patty to help prevent the meat from shrinking when grilling.

Place the patties on the grill, close the grill cover and cook for 3 minutes. Flip the burgers, close the grill cover and cook for another 3 minutes. This time should provide a medium temperature burger, or you can use a digital thermometer and remove the cooked burgers when the internal temperature reaches 120. (The burger temperature will continue to rise when you add the cheddar cheese, reaching 130 for medium.)

Reduce the heat to low and add the cheese to each burger, close the grill cover and cook for about 1 minute longer to melt the cheese.

Remove the burgers to a new tray and let them rest for about 3 minutes.

Build your burger: Starting with the bottom of a brioche bun, top that with the cooked cheeseburger, then top with two folded slices of cooked bacon, then add 1-2 tablespoons of the caramelized bourbon onions. Finish with the brioche top and enjoy!