Maple Old Fashioned
Posted: 03/19/2021
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The woodsy flavor of pure maple syrup complements the vanilla, oak, and caramel notes of bourbon in a truly delightful and unique Maple Old Fashioned.
Each ingredient in this Old Fashioned has so many layers of flavor that it’s not surprising how good this cocktail is. It’s a slow sipper, so you can savor every aspect of it. Drink responsibly!
Bourbon or rye is the backbone of the drink. Each brand has unique qualities, so choose one you love. I’ve been into bourbon cocktails lately. Have you tried this Vanilla Bourbon Fizz, with bourbon, vanilla, and prosecco? So good!
Along with the bourbon, you’ll taste the herbal and spice notes of Angostura bitters. Bitters are a common ingredient added to cocktails and there are different kinds: aromatic, citrus, herbal, and nut. Aromatic Angostura bitters have been around for a long, long time and the secret formula reportedly contains herbs, spices, bark and alcohol. Because of their potent flavor, bitters are measured by “dashes” or drops, not ounces. (I love chocolate bitters!)
About this cocktail
This Maple Old Fashioned substitutes a bit of maple syrup for the usual sugar cube, giving this cocktail another layer of sweet woodsy flavor. For sure you’ll want to use real maple syrup, not pancake syrups which are basically corn syrup with artificial flavoring.
This bourbon cocktail can be easily made in five minutes. An Old Fashioned is stirred, not shaken, and it’s served over ice in a short glass, called a rocks glass, lowball glass, or even sometimes, you guessed it, an old fashioned glass.
You’ll find directions on the recipe card below for making individual cocktails or a pitcher, with four servings.
What you need
This recipe contains what you’d expect in a classic old fashioned, except for the maple syrup. In addition to the maple syrup, make sure your bar is stocked with Angostura bitters, Bourbon (or rye), Orange peel and cherry for garnish, and ice.
Traditional ice will work, but I also love to use a large square or round ice cube.
FAQ
What’s the best alcohol for an Old Fashioned?
I prefer using bourbon as it has a sweeter, softer flavor (Woodford Double Oaked is my personal favorite). Rye gives the drink a more spicy, woody flavor.
Feel free to choose whatever you like best. If you’re uncertain, this blog post by Whiskey Watch is informative and helpful. Because this is a mixed drink, diluted with other ingredients and served over ice, don’t use the priciest bottle you have. Save that for sipping neat. However, it’s still pretty straightforward with not a lot of mixers, so choose something mid-range.
What’s the difference between an Old Fashioned and a Manhattan?
These two cocktails are so similar, each containing bourbon (or rye) whiskey and Angostura bitters. The difference? An Old Fashioned is sweetened with a sugar cube but a Manhattan omits the sugar cube and instead sweetens things up with an ounce of sweet vermouth.
How to make this drink your own
- If you prefer a sweeter drink, feel free to add more maple syrup or a sugar cube.
- If you really love maple flavor, add a drop of pure maple extract.
- For a fun variation, add ½ ounce of freshly squeezed orange juice.
- I love making an Old Fashioned with chocolate bitters. It’s unbelievably good!
More sippers
Here’s a few more ideas to spark your interest. You’ll want to try them all!
- Classic Gin and Tonic Recipe with tips to make the best!
- Cranberry Gin and Tonic with Rosemary
- Orange Gin and Tonic with Cinnamon
- Apple Cider Mule (Fall Moscow Mule)
- Cranberry Margarita Recipe
- Orange Mojito
- Pomegranate Mojito Recipe
- Cherry French 75
- Cherry Martini with Elderflower and Lime
Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me @rachelcooksblog on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!
cocktail
The woodsy flavor of pure maple syrup complements the vanilla, oak, and caramel notes of bourbon in a truly delightful and unique maple old fashioned.
Ingredients
For 1 Drink
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup, or to taste
- Small splash of water (about ¼ teaspoon)
- 2 ounces bourbon (or rye)
- orange wedge and cherry, for garnish
For a Crowd (4 drinks)
- ½ teaspoon Angostura bitters (8 dashes)
- 1 tablespoon pure maple syrup
- 1 teaspoon water
- 1 cup bourbon (or rye)
Instructions
- Add the bitters, maple syrup, and water to a rocks glass (or pitcher). Stir gently to combine.
- Fill the glass with ice and then top with bourbon (or rye). Garnish with an orange wedge and/or cherry.
- Serve immediately.
Notes
- If you prefer a sweeter drink, feel free to add more maple syrup or a sugar cube.
- If you really love maple flavor, add a drop of pure maple extract.
- For a fun variation, add ½ ounce of freshly squeezed orange juice.
Nutrition Information
Serving: 1cocktail, Calories: 223kcal, Carbohydrates: 23g, Protein: 1g, Sodium: 3mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 17g
This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.
denise says
I’m not a big drinker, and not usually cockails, but this looks delicious.
Rachel Gurk says
It’s really flavorful!