Maple Old Fashioned Recipe

Combine sweetener and bitters

Place 1/2 tablespoon pure maple syrup into a rocks glass or mixing glass. Add 3 dashes Angostura bitters and 1 dash orange bitters (optional). Stir gently to combine so the bitters are evenly distributed in the syrup.

Add bourbon

Pour 2 oz Woodford Reserve bourbon into the glass with the maple-bitters mixture.

Add ice and chill

Add one large ice cube or several whiskey-sized ice cubes to the glass. Stir briskly with a bar spoon for 15–25 seconds (about 20 full turns) to chill and lightly dilute the cocktail, integrating the maple syrup fully.

Express orange oils

Cut a 1-inch strip of orange peel. Hold it over the glass and give it a firm twist to express the oils onto the cocktail, then rub the peel around the rim and drop it into the drink.

Cinnamon garnish

Lightly dust the surface with a small pinch of ground cinnamon, or tuck a cinnamon stick into the glass as a stirrer. Be careful not to overdo the cinnamon — the goal is a subtle aromatic accent.

Serve immediately. Present the Maple Old Fashioned on a low rocks glass with the large ice cube and garnishes. Sip slowly to enjoy the balance of bourbon, maple, bitters, and warming cinnamon.

Rinse or wash used bar tools and glassware after serving. Wipe any sticky maple residue from the jigger or spoon to prevent buildup.