Maple Old Fashioned Cocktail
Embrace the cozy spirit of autumn with this easy and sophisticated Maple Old Fashioned. This classic cocktail is elevated with the rustic charm and sweet, amber goodness of pure maple syrup, making every sip feel like a warm hug.
Equipment
- Lowball Glass
- Old Fashioned Glass
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
- 1/2 oz pure maple syrup Grade A Amber or Dark recommended
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters adjust to taste
- 1 Orange peel for garnish, fresh is best
- Ice cubes or one large ice cube
Instructions
- Step 1: Grab your favorite lowball or Old Fashioned glass. In it, combine the pure maple syrup and Angostura bitters. Give them a gentle stir for a few seconds to wake up the flavors.
- Step 2: Carefully pour your chosen bourbon or rye whiskey over the syrup and bitters mixture. Give it another good stir, ensuring all ingredients are beautifully blended.
- Step 3: Add one large ice cube or several smaller cubes to your glass. Stir again for approximately 20 seconds. This chills the drink and slightly dilutes it, opening up the flavors and making it smoother to sip.
- Step 4: Take your fresh orange peel and gently twist it over the drink to express its essential oils. Drop the twisted peel into the glass. Your Maple Old Fashioned is ready to be enjoyed immediately.
Notes
This quick and easy cocktail is perfect for cozy nights. Experiment with different whiskeys (bourbon for a sweeter profile, rye for a spicier kick), sweetener swaps (demerara or honey syrup), and various bitters (orange, black walnut, spiced cherry). For extra garnishes, consider a Luxardo cherry, cinnamon stick, or star anise pod. A non-alcoholic version can be made with a quality non-alcoholic spirit or strong black tea.
For the best results, always use quality ingredients, stir for the recommended 20 seconds for proper dilution, and use a fresh orange peel. Chilling your glass beforehand helps keep the drink colder longer. While an Old Fashioned is best made fresh, you can prep a "batch mix" of whiskey, maple syrup, and bitters ahead of time for easy entertaining; just add ice and fresh garnish before serving. Store whiskey in a cool, dark place, pure maple syrup in the refrigerator once opened, and bitters in a cool, dark pantry.