Maple Old Fashioned

A whiskey Old Fashioned sweetened with maple syrup instead of sugar.

Base spirit

Bourbon

Style

Spirit-forward

Glassware

Rocks glass

Technique

Stir

The Maple Old Fashioned replaces simple syrup or sugar with maple, keeping bitters and a large cube intact. Maple adds caramel and wood notes that reinforce bourbon or rye without turning the drink sticky when measured carefully. It is one of the cleanest seasonal Old Fashioned variants.

Maple Old Fashioned in a rocks glass over a large ice cube, deep amber, orange peel.

Ingredients

Servings

• 2 oz bourbon
• 0.25 oz maple syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura bitters
• 1 dash orange bitters

Did you know?

“Maple as an Old Fashioned sweetener became common in North American craft bars where maple is a regional pantry staple.”

Source:Modern North American craft cocktail practice

Bartender's Note

Use real maple syrup, preferably grade A dark for flavor. Start at a quarter-ounce and adjust.

Missing a bottle? See smart swaps in Learn.

How to make the Maple Old Fashioned

1Stir bourbon, maple, and bitters with ice
2Strain over a large ice cube
3Garnish with an orange peel

Drinks similar to Maple Old Fashioned

Apple Cider Old Fashioned

An Old Fashioned sweetened with apple cider and maple for a clear autumn profile.

Smoked Old Fashioned

An Old Fashioned finished with smoke for aroma and cooler-weather drama.

Fancy Free

An Old Fashioned variation sweetened with maraschino liqueur instead of simple syrup.