The Maple Old Fashioned is a twist on the classic using maple syrup for an even smoother flavor. It takes 3 ingredients and 5 minutes to stir up!
Here’s a spin on the classic that might be even tastier than the original: the Maple Old Fashioned! This twist uses maple syrup instead of sugar, along with the classic whiskey and bitters.
Give it a swirl and a taste, and it’s even smoother than the original! The maple syrup adds hints of caramel and vanilla that give even more nuance and sophistication to each sip. It’s a great fall cocktail or drink for winter that warms the soul! Here’s how to make it.
5 Star Reader Review
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ “I made this with an apple peel infused bourbon – spicy with a nice balance of sweet. So good! I’ll be making more of these!” -Chris
Ingredients You’ll Need
The classic Old Fashioned is one of the oldest cocktails there is. In fact, it started as literally the cocktail: the first cocktail in existence! It was first documented in the early 1800’s by a New York paper. This spin uses maple syrup instead of the standard sugar cube to add nuance to the flavors. Here’s what you’ll need:
- Bourbon: I like bourbon best, because of its sweetness and the vanilla and caramel notes, which jive well with the syrup.
- Maple syrup: Use pure maple syrup; I always use “Grade A: Robust Flavor and Dark Color” because it has the best flavor (don’t use light or golden syrup).
- Angostura bitters: These add the nuanced warm flavor that makes it taste like an Old Fashioned.
- Orange peel: The oils in the peel are essential for that first whiff of the drink.
- Luxardo cherry: This is optional, but you can use a Luxardo cherry or cocktail cherry for the garnish.
How to Make a Maple Old Fashioned
This drink is built right in the glass, so you don’t even need to dirty up your cocktail shaker (my favorite type of drink!). Here’s what to do (or jump to the recipe below):
- Stir the the ingredients in the glass. Add the bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters to a lowball glass. Stir until the syrup dissolves.
- Add ice. Add one large clear ice cube and give it a stir.
- Garnish. Squeeze a strip of orange peel over the glass, then run it around the rim and drop it in. Add a cherry, if you’d like.
What Does a Maple Old Fashioned Taste Like?
The flavor is brilliantly nuanced, with the maple playing off of the vanilla notes in the bourbon whiskey. But does it taste like maple? Not exactly. Here’s what to know about using maple syrup as a sweetener:
- Maple syrup gently sweetens drinks much like simple syrup, with an extra nuance in flavor. You’ll find you can use it in any cocktail recipe as a substitute for simple syrup.
- Maple syrup doesn’t make drinks taste like maple. If you want an Old Fashioned to taste like maple, make it with Crown Royal Maple, which has a very strong maple flavor.
Use Clear Ice To Step It Up
Going for an over-the-top cool maple Old Fashioned? Use clear ice. This is the only way to get that large cube of ice in your lowball glass, and it’s 100% worth the effort. Clear ice is crystal clear ice that isn’t cloudy like ice made in an ice tray. You can slice it into organic shapes that are perfect for any size of drink. Here are two methods for making clear ice:
- Make clear ice at home. All you need is a small cooler that fits inside your freezer. Go to How to Make Clear Ice.
- Use a clear ice maker. We use this clear ice maker and it works well! It also fits easily into your freezer.
Fun Variations to Try
The Old Fashioned is the perfect canvas for variations. Here are a few fun ideas:
- Smoked Maple Old Fashioned: Smoke and maple work so well together! Try my Smoked Old Fashioned and use maple syrup.
- Rye: Swap the bourbon for rye whiskey.
- Apple: One reader tried this with apple peel-infused bourbon. I also have an Apple Cider Old Fashionedr recipe.
- Different bitters: Try orange bitters or other flavored bitters to add different flavor notes.
When To Serve It
This maple Old Fashioned cocktail is great in any season, but it’s especially great as a fall drink and winter cocktail. Serve it as a:
- Happy hour drink
- Dinner party drink
- Late night drinks drink
- Guys night drink
- Cocktail hour drink
More Old Fashioned Recipes
- Classic Old Fashioned
- Pumpkin Old Fashioned
- Fireball Old Fashioned
- Wisconsin Old Fashioned
- Oaxaca Old Fashioned (with Mezcal)
- Skrewball Old Fashioned
- Jagermeister Old Fashioned
Maple Old Fashioned
The Maple Old Fashioned is a twist on the classic using maple syrup for an even smoother flavor. It takes 3 ingredients and 5 minutes to stir up!
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Stirred
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 2 ounces (¼ cup) bourbon whiskey
- 1 teaspoon maple syrup
- 4 dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange peel for garnish
- Cocktail cherry for garnish (optional)
- Ice, for serving (try clear ice!)
Instructions
- In a lowball glass, stir the bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters. Add a large ice cube.
- Use a knife to remove a 1″ wide strip of the orange peel. Squeeze the orange peel into the drink to release the oils. Gently run the peel around the edge of the glass, then place it in the glass.
I love this simple recipe. As a rye fan, I haven’t tried it with bourbon. Do you have any suggestions? Not sure I want to change it – very happy with my rye, but curious!
I made this with an apple peel infused bourbon – spicy with a nice balance of sweet. So good! I’ll be making more of these!
Let us know if you have any questions!