Warm up your evenings with this straightforward Maple Old Fashioned recipe! It's a delightful mix of bourbon, maple syrup, bitters, and a zest of orange.
Prep time: 1 minute minute
Mixing time: 1 minute minute
- 2 oz Bourbon
- ½ oz maple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters
- Ice cubes
- Orange twist - for garnish, optional
Old Fashioned Glass
Mixing Glass
Measuring Jigger
Stirrer or Bar Spoon
Prep Glass: Fill your Old Fashioned glass with ice cubes.
Add Bitters: Add 2 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters to the mixing glass.
Add Maple Syrup: Measure and pour ½ oz maple syrup into the glass.
Add Bourbon: Pour 2 oz Bourbon into the mix.
Add Ice: Fill your mixing glass with ice.
Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently until well chilled and mixed.
Strain: Strain your drink into your chilled old fashioned glass over fresh ice.
Garnish: Zest an orange peel on top of the drink and place it into the glass for garnish.
Substitutes:
- Bourbon: If you don't have bourbon, rye whiskey can be a good substitute. It has a spicier profile than bourbon's sweeter taste, but it still works well in this cocktail.
- Maple Syrup: Honey can be used as a substitute for maple syrup if needed. It adds a different kind of sweetness that complements the bourbon nicely.
- Angostura Bitters: If you're out of Angostura bitters, orange bitters can be used instead. They add a citrusy note to the drink that pairs well with the orange garnish.
Making a Pitcher:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of bourbon, 4 oz of maple syrup, and 16 dashes of Angostura bitters.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters with ice cubes. Stir well.
- Serve: Strain the mixture into ice-filled Old Fashioned glasses, garnish with an orange twist, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Bourbon Substitute: Use a non-alcoholic bourbon substitute; several brands are available that mimic the flavor of bourbon without the alcohol.
- Angostura bitters: use a non-alcoholic alternative and if you are out of it prepare a syrup infused with cinnamon, cloves and gentian root to mimic the complex flavor of Angostura bitters.
- Proceed As Usual: Use this non-alcoholic substitute instead of the regular bourbon, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version.
Making it Vegan:
- Maple Syrup: Ensure your maple syrup is vegan. Some brands process their syrup with animal-derived products. Look for brands that specify they're vegan-friendly.
- Proceed As Usual: Once you've ensured your ingredients are vegan-friendly, follow the original steps to enjoy a delicious vegan Maple Old Fashioned.