Maple Old Fashioned
Stir ∙ 3 min ∙ 29.8% ABV ∙
The Maple Old Fashioned sweetens bourbon and rye with maple syrup instead of sugar and finishes with orange bitters. Rounded and warming, with vanilla-caramel bourbon, a peppery rye backbone, and maple's earthy sweetness woven through a bright orange finish — a natural autumn or after-dinner sipper.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Stir all ingredients with ice: Bourbon 50 mlRye whiskey 15 mlMaple syrup 10 mlOrange bitters 1 dashSaline solution 2 dashes
- Strain into the ice-filled glass
- Express an orange twist over the cocktail and use as garnish
Tips
- Add maple syrup sparingly and taste as you go — its sweetness varies by grade, and an over-sweetened drink can only be fixed with more whiskey.
- Stir about 30 seconds over ice, then strain over one large cube so the drink chills without watering down as you sip.
- Express the orange twist over the glass before dropping it in; the citrus oils lift the maple and rye aroma.
- A darker, robust-grade maple syrup gives more depth than a light table syrup — use less of it.
History
The Old Fashioned represents the foundational 19th-century cocktail template, originally evolving from early brandy iterations before American whiskey became the definitive standard. The contemporary Maple Old Fashioned variation is widely credited to Allen Katz, co-founder of the New York Distilling Company, who introduced it during the modern craft cocktail revival. His initial concept was built on aged rum, but the maple-for-sugar swap was quickly embraced by the broader industry and adapted back to the classic whiskey profile of builds like this one.
FAQ
What is in a Maple Old Fashioned?
A Maple Old Fashioned is bourbon and a little rye whiskey sweetened with maple syrup and seasoned with a dash of orange bitters, stirred over ice and garnished with an orange twist. The maple simply replaces the sugar cube or simple syrup of a standard Old Fashioned.
Is maple syrup good in an Old Fashioned?
Yes. Maple syrup works well because it dissolves easily and adds earthy, caramel depth that complements the vanilla notes in barrel-aged bourbon and rye. Use it sparingly, though — maple is more assertive than simple syrup, so a little goes a long way.
Is a Maple Old Fashioned shaken or stirred?
Stirred. Stir it over ice for about 30 seconds until well-chilled, then strain over fresh ice. Shaking would aerate and cloud a spirit-forward drink like this; stirring keeps it clear and silky.
What whiskey is best for a Maple Old Fashioned?
A good-quality bourbon is the base, and this recipe adds a splash of rye for extra spice. Choose a bourbon with pronounced vanilla and caramel notes to echo the maple; a higher-proof whiskey also holds its own against the syrup's sweetness.
What is the alcohol content of a Maple Old Fashioned?
This Maple Old Fashioned is about 29.8% ABV. It is essentially neat whiskey sweetened and seasoned, so it drinks strong; stirring and serving over a large ice cube tempers it slightly through gentle dilution.
What glass is a Maple Old Fashioned served in?
An old-fashioned glass, also called a rocks glass, ideally over one large ice cube. The wide, heavy tumbler suits a spirit-forward drink meant to be sipped slowly with an expressed orange twist.
