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Maple Old Fashioned

The Maple Old Fashioned takes a classic cocktail and gives it a cozy, seasonal twist with rich maple syrup that complements bourbon's natural sweetness. This sophisticated sipper is elegant enough for dinner parties yet casual enough for weeknight relaxation, delivering complexity in a glass without requiring a bartender's degree.
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Prep Time 3 minutes
Total Time 3 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Course: Drinks and Beverages
Cuisine: American
Calories: 185
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 2 ounces 60 ml bourbon whiskey
  • 0.5 ounce 15 ml maple syrup, preferably grade-A or grade-B
  • 2 to 3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 0.5 ounce 15 ml water, or ice melt
  • 1 large ice cube or 3 to 4 smaller cubes
  • 1 strip orange peel for garnish and expression

Equipment

  • Mixing glass or cocktail shaker
  • Bar spoon or long cocktail spoon
  • Jigger for measuring spirits and syrup
  • Rocks glass (10 to 12 ounces)
  • Citrus peeler for garnish
  • Muddler (optional, for optional citrus variation)
  • Strainer (if using a cocktail shaker)

Method
 

  1. Fill your rocks glass with ice and let it sit for a minute while you prepare the drink. This ensures your finished cocktail stays cold longer and prevents the bourbon from warming up too quickly.
  2. Pour 2 ounces of bourbon into your mixing glass using a jigger for accuracy.
  3. Pour 0.5 ounce of maple syrup into the mixing glass with the bourbon.
  4. Dash 2 to 3 drops of Angostura bitters into the mixing glass.
  5. Pour 0.5 ounce of water into the mixing glass, then stir with a bar spoon for about 30 seconds. Stirring, not shaking, keeps the drink silky and properly integrated without aerating it.
  6. Discard the ice from your rocks glass now that it's properly chilled.
  7. Carefully pour the stirred cocktail from your mixing glass into the chilled rocks glass, using a strainer if needed to catch any ice fragments.
  8. Drop 1 large ice cube or 3 to 4 smaller cubes into the glass with the cocktail.
  9. Cut a strip of orange peel and express the oils over the drink by twisting it over the glass. Drop the peel into the cocktail as a garnish.

Notes

Use grade-B maple syrup if you can find it, as its deeper molasses notes create a richer, more complex flavor that pairs beautifully with bourbon's warmth. Stir, don't shake, to maintain a silky texture. Use larger ice cubes whenever possible as they melt slowly and keep your drink cold without watering it down too quickly. Mid-range bourbons like Maker's Mark, Woodford Reserve, or Buffalo Trace work wonderfully here.