This Maple Old Fashioned Cocktail is perfect for the fall, or all winter long! A sweet version of the classic, with some nutty and baked flavors, too, for this Maple Cocktail!
The Old Fashioned might be the most famous and original American cocktail. Likewise Thanksgiving was originally an American holiday so we figured serving an Old Fashioned would be a great maple cocktail to serve on Thanksgiving, too.
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Maple Cocktail
When we sit down to plan our Thanksgiving meal, one thing we always have to plan for is a good cocktail. We usually sip on one in the hours after our big meal while we are hanging with family. We always want to serve something seasonal, so this year we are came up with the Maple Old Fashioned. It’s a fall flavored variation of one of our favorite classic cocktails.
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Maple syrup is one of those great fall flavors that often gets overshadowed by big fall flavors like apple or pumpkin spice. We also think maple shouldn’t be one that cocktail drinkers skip when the leaves start to fall. Sweet and rich, maple is great for cocktails as it can be used to add flavor while adding sweetness without diluting the drink.
What Ingredients are Needed for the Maple Old Fashioned?
- Angostura Bitters
- Maple Syrup
- Bourbon
Full of a roasted nutty flavor, the maple syrup works really well with the baking spices commonly found in fall dishes.
The Old Fashioned uses a uniquely American spirit, bourbon, as its base spirit. Bourbon also is a great spirit to use for fall drinks, its rich notes of vanilla and caramel working really well with fall flavors. A bit heavier than light spirits like gin, bourbon can make a drink that is smooth and sippable while spreading a nice warmth.
For our Maple Old Fashioned, the bourbon is paired up with the maple syrup. Together they make a delicious combination of sweet, toasty flavors that works really well. This Maple Cocktail is a not miss.
A Flavored Old Fashioned?
A true Old Fashioned has to have bitters, as bitters serve as the salt and pepper for a bartender. Made by infusing spices, herbs and botanicals in high proof spirits to make a complex flavor. Also, bitters can give a drink a whole new characteristic and layer of flavor that can make a drink come alive.
We wanted to add a hint of baking spices like cinnamon and nutmeg. Then we added a nice aromatic bitter (you can use a classic like Angostura or mix it up and use something like Dram Apothecary’s Black Bitters like we did for this recipe.)
A few dashes of bitters really pulled out the hints of spice from the bourbon while adding in a rich complex characteristic. We garnished the drink with one of our Brandied Cherries and a fresh orange peel which adds a nice perfume to each sip.
We really loved the way the Maple Old Fashioned sweet and spice, richly complex and delightfully boozy, too. Also, we think it will be perfect for gathering friends and family to sip while you ponder that next piece of pie! Cheers to this maple cocktail! Check out another flavored Old Fashioned, with this Pine version!
Cheers!
Like this recipe? Try these below, too!
The Maple and Cider Kentucky Mule
Other Old Fashioned Cocktails
- Toasted Pecan Old Fashioned – The Speckled Palate
- Roasted Peach Old Fashioned – Mama Gourmand
- Blackberry Lemon Old Fashioned – Rhubarbarians
- Chai Old Fashioned – Apartment Bartender
- Burnt Sugar Old Fashioned – Bon Appetit
Other Maple Cocktails
- Cinnamon Maple Whiskey Sour – Cookie and Kate
- Rosemary Maple Bourbon Sour – W and P Design
- Maple Syrup Bourbon Cocktail – Honest Cooking
- Bourbon Maple Leaf Cocktail – The Kitchen is My Playground
- Maple Honeycrisp Bourbon Cocktail – The 5 O’clock Chef

Maple Old Fashioned - A Bourbon Cocktail
Ingredients
- .75 oz maple syrup
- 4 dashes Angostura bitters
- 2 oz bourbon
- orange peel for garnish
Instructions
Add bitters, maple syrup and bourbon to a rocks glass.
Add a large ice cube.
Stir until chilled and maple syrup is fully dissolved into the bourbon.
Garnish with an orange peel and brandied cherry, if desired.
Recommended Products
-
Luxardo, Gourmet Cocktail Maraschino Cherries 400G Jar
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JapanBargain 1597x6, Bamboo Cocktail Picks Skewer with Knotted Ends 6-inch, 300 Pieces
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Crystal-Clear Ice Ball Maker, 2-Cavity Mold, Jumbo Ice Balls, Better Kitchen Products
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Butternut Mountain Farm, 100% Pure Maple Syrup From Vermont, Grade A, Amber Color, Rich Taste, All Natural, Easy Pour Jug, 32 Fl Oz, 1 Qt
-
Angostura Bitters Set
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Libbey Heavy Base 12-piece Rocks Glass Set
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Nutrition Information:
Yield:
1Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 185 Total Fat: 0g Saturated Fat: 0g Trans Fat: 0g Unsaturated Fat: 0g Cholesterol: 0mg Sodium: 3mg Carbohydrates: 14.3g Fiber: 0g Sugar: 12.7g Protein: 0g
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It looks very tasty for sure 🙂
http://apiecewithfrosting.com
Thank you! Cheers!
What a great drink! My husband and I love a good Old Fashioned! Love that you added maple to it!
Thanks, it’s such a great twist! Cheers!
I can’t believe I’ve never had an old fashioned, but now I totally want to try one! I’ll be pinning this so I can make it later! Thank you!
You totally should! I hope you enjoy, cheers!
Yum! Thank you for sharing this recipe!
Thanks for stopping by! Cheers!
SO delicious….Need this now!
You do! Cheers!
This sounds really good. I have never had one but need o give this a try. I think it would be perfect for thanksgiving.
Thanks, it would be perfect for the upcoming season! Cheers!
Bookmarking this one for Friendsgiving! I”ve only ever sipped on old fashioneds that weren’t my own, but this recipe sounds delicious enough to convert me (I’m a gin girl!).
Awesome, hope you try it out! We love gin, too, haha! Cheers!
This sounds so delicious! I’ve never had one, but definitely going to try it!
You should! Cheers!
I’m not normally a fan of maple syrup, bit I love manhattans so can’t wait to try this!
It’s a great combo, and we use the maple syrup in place of the sugar! Hope you try it out!
Looks excellent, and simple enough for me to make! The orange seems like the perfect touch!
xx nicole
http://www.nicoleparise.com
This one is easy peasy! Hope you try it out! Cheers!
Look at how pretty this cocktail is! It sounds good too- sweet enough for me to enjoy but not overly girly or fruity.
Aw, thanks! It is not girly at all! Cheers!
Looks amazing and easy enough for me to make!! YUM
Thank you, hope you enjoy! Cheers!
This sounds amazing and what a perfect holiday cocktail.
Thanks so much, we thought it was perfect for the coming season!
This looks so delicious! Great photos!
http://www.diaryofatorontogirl.com
Thanks so much! Cheers!
Maple and bitters? Count me in, pinned.
It’s a great combo! Thanks for pinning, cheers!
Yum!! This looks so delicious–pinning for later!
What kind of bitters do you suggest? I am using luxardo cherries in this
We suggest a great aromatic bitters like Angostura.