Cocktails with Maple syrup
Maple syrup is a natural sweetener made by boiling down the sap of maple trees until its sugars concentrate.
How it's used
It brings a toasted, woody caramel that no sugar syrup has, which is why it suits bourbon, rye, apple and warm spice. At around two-thirds sugar, it sweetens roughly like a rich 2:1 syrup, and much harder than a one-to-one. It sinks and sits, so stir or shake until it is fully mixed in.
Substitutes for Maple syrup
Rich 2:1 sugar syrup
Works one for one at about the same sweetness, but the toasted flavor is lost.
Demerara syrup
Made 2:1, it keeps some caramel depth at the same measure.
At 3 parts honey to 1 water, it can stand in at the same measure, trading maple for honey.
Dark maple syrup
Later-season syrup has a stronger flavor, so the maple comes through more than with a golden grade.
Pancake syrup
A last resort. Usually corn syrup with flavoring, it tastes thinner and more artificial.
