A maple infused old fashioned is a bourbon cocktail built around whiskey, maple syrup, bitters, and ice, with a citrus twist. The maple replaces simple syrup and adds warmth and depth without extra sweetness. It takes five minutes to build and tastes like a refined, cold drink.
Ingredients for Maple Infused Old Fashioned
Bourbon is the backbone of the drink and should be something you like to sip straight. Maple syrup adds subtle sweetness and a woodsy note that bourbon loves. Angostura bitters bring spice and complexity that ties everything together. Water dilutes the drink slightly and helps the flavors open up. Ice chills it cold and contributes a small amount of dilution as it melts. Orange peel adds a bright, bitter oil that balances the maple.
Why This Maple Infused Old Fashioned Works
The maple syrup dissolves into the bourbon and water, creating a smooth base that does not need to be stirred into sweetness the way granulated sugar does. Unlike simple syrup, maple brings its own flavor, so the drink tastes deeper and less one-note.
Bourbon is high enough proof that it does not need extra water to taste good, but a small amount opens up the whiskey’s flavors and brings down the burn. The bitters add the spice notes that make an old fashioned taste like an old fashioned. The orange peel’s oils float on top and give you a bright hit when you drink.
Maple Infused Old Fashioned Tips & Tricks
- Use pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup, which is mostly corn syrup and will make the drink cloying.
- One large cube of ice melts more slowly than crushed ice, keeping your drink cold and less diluted.
- Express the orange peel over the drink by twisting it over the surface so the oils spray across the top.
- If you do not have Angostura bitters, omit them rather than substitute, since other bitters change the flavor profile.
Mistakes To Avoid
Pouring maple syrup directly into cold bourbon will make it sink and clump at the bottom of the glass. Stir the maple with a small amount of water or bourbon first until it is dissolved, then add the rest of the ingredients.
Overfilling the glass with ice will chill the drink so fast that the maple syrup does not have time to blend with the bourbon. Use one large cube or a few smaller pieces, leaving room for the liquid to move around.
Skipping the water entirely makes the drink taste harsh and one-dimensional. Even a half ounce of water softens the bourbon’s edges and lets the maple and bitters shine through.
Using cheap bourbon that you would not drink straight will result in a drink that tastes thin and unpleasant. The bourbon is the main flavor, so it has to be one you enjoy on its own.
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Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1/2 ounce pure maple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1/4 ounce water
- 1 large ice cube or 3 to 4 smaller pieces
- 1 orange, for peel
Step-by-step Instructions
- Pour the maple syrup into a rocks glass, then add the water and stir until the syrup dissolves completely, about 10 seconds.
- Add the bourbon and bitters to the glass and stir to combine, about 5 seconds.
- Add the ice to the glass, filling it about three-quarters full.
- Cut a wide strip of orange peel with a vegetable peeler, avoiding the white pith.
- Hold the orange peel over the drink and twist it sharply so the oils spray across the surface, then drop it into the glass.
- Stir gently once or twice and serve immediately.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this ahead for a group?
Mix the maple syrup, water, and bitters in a pitcher ahead of time, then store it in the refrigerator for up to 8 hours. When ready to serve, pour the mixture into individual glasses over ice, add bourbon, and garnish with orange peel.
What bourbon works best for this drink?
Choose a bourbon you like to drink neat, in the 90 to 100 proof range. Higher-proof bourbons will taste sharper, while lower-proof ones may taste thin. Avoid bourbons with a lot of vanilla or sweetness, since the maple already adds those notes.
Can I use a different sweetener instead of maple syrup?
Honey works well and brings a different warmth to the drink, though it will taste rounder and less woodsy. Simple syrup is thinner and less flavorful, so use it only if you cannot find maple. Avoid agave, which tastes flat in bourbon.
Serving Ideas for Maple Infused Old Fashioned
Serve this with a handful of roasted nuts like pecans or almonds, which echo the toasted notes in the bourbon. A cheese board with aged cheddar works well because the salt and sharpness balance the maple’s sweetness. If you are making several drinks, prepare a batch of the maple-water-bitters base ahead so you can pour and serve quickly.
