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Maple Bourbon Old Fashioned

A sophisticated cocktail that balances warm maple sweetness against bold bourbon with a hint of bitters. This drink turns an ordinary night into something worth remembering, with silky maple depth and aromatic complexity from orange peel.
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Prep Time 2 minutes
Total Time 2 minutes
Servings: 1 cocktail
Course: Drinks and Beverages
Cuisine: American
Calories: 165
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 2 ounces bourbon use quality bourbon, around 90 proof
  • 1/2 ounce pure maple syrup not pancake syrup
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 dash orange bitters optional but recommended
  • Ice cubes large format if you have them
  • Orange peel for garnish
  • Maraschino cherry for garnish optional

Equipment

  • Cocktail mixing glass or any drinking glass
  • Bar spoon or long teaspoon
  • Jigger or measuring glass
  • Hawthorne strainer or regular small strainer
  • Rocks glass or old fashioned glass
  • Vegetable peeler or citrus zester
  • Ice maker or ice tray

Method
 

  1. Fill your rocks glass with large ice cubes or crushed ice to chill the glass.
  2. Pour exactly 2 ounces of bourbon into your mixing glass using your jigger.
  3. Add 1/2 ounce of pure maple syrup directly to the bourbon in your mixing glass.
  4. Dash in 2 dashes of Angostura bitters and 1 dash of orange bitters if you have it on hand.
  5. Add a handful of ice cubes to the bourbon mixture in your mixing glass.
  6. Use your bar spoon or long teaspoon to stir for about 30 seconds, making smooth, deliberate circles.
  7. Using your Hawthorne strainer or regular strainer, pour the mixture from your mixing glass into the ice-filled rocks glass.
  8. Cut a wide strip of orange peel over the drink to release the essential oils, then drop it in as garnish. Add a maraschino cherry if desired.

Notes

Use pure maple syrup, not pancake syrup, for authentic maple flavor. A single large ice cube melts slowly and keeps your drink cold without over-diluting. Stir, don't shake, to maintain proper texture. Let your drink sit for about one minute after straining to allow flavors to settle. This cocktail pairs beautifully with charcuterie boards, dark chocolate, or roasted nuts.