Maple Old Fashioned Recipe

1. Combine

Add 0.5 oz pure maple syrup to a mixing glass or directly into a rocks glass if you prefer stirring in the serving glass.

2. Add bitters and spirit

Add 3 dashes Angostura bitters and 1 dash orange bitters (optional) to the glass, then pour in 2 oz bourbon.

3. Stir and chill

If using a mixing glass: add enough ice to fill the mixing glass, stir with a bar spoon for 20–30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted (glass will frost). If building in the serving glass: add a large ice cube or several large cubes and stir 20–30 seconds to combine and chill.

4. Prepare garnish

Express the oils of an orange peel over the drink by holding the peel skin-side down over the glass and quickly bending it to release oils. Rub the peel around the rim if desired, then drop the twist into the glass. Optionally add a Luxardo or maraschino cherry on a pick.

5. Serve

Place a single large ice cube in the chilled rocks glass (if not already used), strain the stirred cocktail into the glass (if mixed in a separate glass), and serve immediately.

6. Adjust maple syrup to taste — use 0.25 oz for a drier cocktail or up to 0.75 oz for a sweeter, more dessert-like Old Fashioned. Use a good-quality bourbon for best results. If maple syrup is very thick, warm it slightly or shake with bourbon to combine before stirring with ice.