Classic Bourbon Cocktail | Fall Favorite
This Maple Old Fashioned recipe is a smooth bourbon cocktail made with pure maple syrup, Angostura bitters, and an orange twist. It replaces the sugar cube in a traditional Old Fashioned with maple syrup for a richer, warmer flavor without turning the drink into an overly sweet dessert cocktail.
At Bartend Long Island, we make this one for fall weddings, holiday parties, and cooler evenings. The maple complements bourbon’s natural vanilla and caramel notes, while the bitters and fresh orange oils keep everything balanced. It’s simple to make at home and easy to prepare ahead for a group.
Watch the Cocktail Build
How to Make a Maple Old Fashioned
Watch our Maple Old Fashioned come together with bourbon, real maple syrup, bitters, and an orange garnish. It’s a straightforward twist on the classic Old Fashioned with a smooth, warming finish.
- Rich bourbon flavor balanced with maple and aromatic bitters
- No shaker needed, just a mixing glass, bar spoon, and rocks glass
- An easy fall cocktail for one drink or a holiday party
Bartender tip: Start with a little less maple syrup if your bourbon is naturally sweet. You can always add more, but too much maple will overpower the whiskey.
Maple Old Fashioned cocktail tutorial by Bartend Long Island
What Is a Maple Old Fashioned?
A Maple Old Fashioned is a whiskey cocktail made with bourbon or rye, pure maple syrup, aromatic bitters, and an orange peel garnish. It is a variation of the classic Old Fashioned that substitutes maple syrup for sugar or traditional simple syrup.
It tastes rich, slightly sweet, and aromatic, with notes of maple, oak, vanilla, caramel, and citrus. Unlike a maple-flavored dessert cocktail, the whiskey should remain the main flavor.
What Does a Maple Old Fashioned Taste Like?
Expect the familiar strength and depth of an Old Fashioned, with a subtle layer of maple sweetness.
Bourbon brings vanilla, oak, and caramel. Maple syrup adds a darker, rounded sweetness. Angostura bitters provide spice and balance, while orange peel adds a bright aromatic finish.
The result is a spirit-forward drink that’s especially suited to fall and winter entertaining.
Bartend Long Island Recipe
Maple Old Fashioned Recipe
A classic bourbon Old Fashioned with pure maple syrup instead of sugar. Stirred, chilled, and finished with orange.
Maple Old Fashioned Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon (or rye whiskey for a spicier finish)
- 1/2 oz pure maple syrup (Grade A Dark Color, Robust Taste)
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Ice for stirring and serving
- Orange peel for garnish
- Luxardo or brandied cherry, optional
- Cinnamon stick, optional aromatic garnish
Sweetness adjustment: The original recipe uses 1/2 oz maple syrup. For a more whiskey-forward drink, begin with 1/4 oz and adjust to taste.
How to Make a Maple Old Fashioned
- Combine: Add bourbon, pure maple syrup, and Angostura bitters to a mixing glass. Fill with ice.
- Stir: Stir for 20 to 30 seconds until thoroughly chilled and slightly diluted.
- Strain: Place a large ice cube in a rocks glass, then strain the mixture over the ice.
- Garnish: Express an orange peel over the drink to release its oils. Rub the peel around the rim and add it to the glass. Finish with a Luxardo cherry or cinnamon stick if desired.
Serving: Serve immediately in a chilled or room-temperature rocks glass over one large ice cube.
Best Bourbon for a Maple Old Fashioned
The best bourbon for a Maple Old Fashioned is one with enough oak and spice to balance the maple syrup. You do not need an expensive bottle, but avoid whiskey that’s already heavily sweetened or flavored.
Bourbon
Choose bourbon when you want a smoother, sweeter Old Fashioned with vanilla, caramel, and oak notes. Maker’s Mark, Buffalo Trace, and Woodford Reserve are examples of familiar bourbon styles to consider.
Rye Whiskey
Rye works especially well if you prefer more spice and less perceived sweetness. Peppery and herbal rye notes contrast nicely with dark maple syrup.
Our preference: For most fall party menus, bourbon is the more approachable choice. For guests who regularly drink Old Fashioneds or Manhattans, rye makes an excellent variation.
What Maple Syrup Should You Use?
Use 100% pure maple syrup, preferably Grade A Dark Color, Robust Taste. It has a more noticeable maple flavor that holds up against bourbon and bitters.
Avoid pancake syrup or artificially maple-flavored table syrup. These can make the drink taste sweeter and less balanced.
Maple syrup vs. simple syrup: Both sweeten an Old Fashioned, but maple syrup adds its own flavor. Begin with a smaller quantity when substituting maple for simple syrup, then adjust to taste.
Bartender Tips for the Best Maple Old Fashioned
Don’t Overdo the Maple
Too much maple hides the bourbon. Start smaller if using a naturally sweet whiskey or a particularly robust syrup.
Use a Large Ice Cube
A large cube helps keep the finished drink cold while slowing dilution. Use fresh ice for stirring first.
Stir Instead of Shaking
An Old Fashioned is a spirit-forward cocktail. Stirring creates the smooth, clear texture you’re looking for.
Express the Orange Peel
The aromatic oils from fresh orange peel brighten the bourbon and maple. This small step makes a noticeable difference in the finished drink.
Maple Old Fashioned Variations
Smoky Maple Old Fashioned
Use 1.5 oz bourbon and 0.5 oz peated Scotch for a smoky finish. Alternatively, rinse the glass with a small amount of peated Scotch.
Walnut Maple Old Fashioned
Use one dash of walnut bitters and one dash of Angostura bitters. The nutty flavor works particularly well with darker maple syrup.
Apple Maple Old Fashioned
Add a barspoon of apple brandy, such as Calvados, and garnish with a thin apple slice. This is a good variation for Thanksgiving and fall gatherings.
Cinnamon Maple Old Fashioned
Garnish with a cinnamon stick or use a small pinch of cinnamon for added autumn spice. Keep it subtle so the bourbon stays the focus.
Maple Rye Old Fashioned
Replace bourbon with rye whiskey for more spice and a drier finish. Begin with 1/4 oz maple syrup and adjust as needed.
How to Batch Maple Old Fashioneds for a Party
Maple Old Fashioneds are easy to batch ahead because they contain no carbonated ingredients or fresh citrus juice in the mixture. Combine the bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters, then refrigerate until service.
These quantities follow the original 2 oz bourbon to 1/2 oz maple recipe. Reduce the maple by half if your guests prefer a drier drink.
| Ingredient | 8 Drinks | 20 Drinks |
|---|---|---|
| Bourbon | 16 oz | 40 oz |
| Maple syrup | 4 oz | 10 oz |
| Angostura bitters | 16 dashes | 40 dashes |
| Orange peels | 8 | 20 |
| Optional cherries | 8 | 20 |
Batch Method
- Combine bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters in a large bottle or sealed pitcher.
- Stir or gently shake the sealed container to combine the syrup evenly.
- Refrigerate until service.
- For each drink, measure 2.5 oz of the batch into a mixing glass with ice.
- Stir until chilled and diluted, then strain over a large ice cube.
- Express an orange peel and add the garnish.
Event service tip: Keep the premixed base refrigerated and stir each drink with ice before serving. If you fully pre-dilute the batch ahead of time, carefully measure the water addition and chill it thoroughly rather than adding more ice to the batch pitcher.
Need to estimate bottles for a larger event? Use our Alcohol Shopping List Calculator .
When to Serve a Maple Old Fashioned
This is especially suited to fall weddings, Thanksgiving gatherings, holiday parties, dinner parties, and colder evenings. It also works well as an after-dinner drink or a seasonal signature cocktail.
For event menus, we often recommend pairing a richer whiskey cocktail like this with something lighter, such as a spritz or a citrus-forward cocktail, so guests have a choice.
What Food Pairs with a Maple Old Fashioned?
The bourbon, maple, and bitters pair well with smoked meats, roast pork, steak, barbecue, aged cheeses, roasted nuts, and savory fall appetizers.
For dessert, try apple pie, pecan pie, dark chocolate, or a caramel-based dessert. The goal is to complement the whiskey rather than overpower it.
Maple Old Fashioned FAQs
What is in a Maple Old Fashioned?
A Maple Old Fashioned is made with bourbon or rye whiskey, pure maple syrup, aromatic bitters, and an orange peel. It is served over ice, often with a brandied cherry garnish.
Can you use maple syrup instead of sugar in an Old Fashioned?
Yes. Maple syrup replaces the sugar cube or simple syrup in an Old Fashioned. It dissolves easily and adds warm, caramel-like maple notes.
How much maple syrup should I use?
This recipe uses 1/2 oz maple syrup for 2 oz bourbon. For a less sweet Old Fashioned, begin with 1/4 oz and adjust to taste.
Is bourbon or rye better for a Maple Old Fashioned?
Bourbon creates a smoother, sweeter drink with vanilla and caramel notes. Rye whiskey gives the cocktail more spice and a drier finish. Both work well with maple syrup.
Should a Maple Old Fashioned be shaken or stirred?
Stir it. A Maple Old Fashioned is a spirit-forward cocktail, and stirring provides controlled chilling and dilution without unnecessary aeration.
Can Maple Old Fashioneds be made ahead of time?
Yes. Combine the bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters ahead of time and keep chilled. Stir individual servings with ice and garnish just before serving.
Is a Maple Old Fashioned very sweet?
It should be balanced rather than syrupy. Maple adds richness, while bourbon and aromatic bitters keep the drink spirit-forward. Reducing the maple to 1/4 oz will produce a drier version.
What are common Old Fashioned mistakes?
Adding too much sweetener, using poor-quality ice, over-diluting the drink, and skipping the orange peel. Keep the ingredients simple and adjust sweetness to taste.
Yes maple syrup adds richness and a seasonal twist, pairing beautifully with bourbon’s natural caramel and vanilla notes. It’s actually my favorite way to make an old fashioned! Just dont forget the Luxardo cherries.
Definitely. Maple syrup is sweeter than simple syrup, so start with half the amount and adjust to taste.
Yes absolutely! In fact Bourbon and maple are a natural pairing. The syrup enhances bourbon’s depth, creating a smooth, warming cocktail. Perfect for sitting by the fire on a fall breezy night.
Overcomplicating the recipe, adding too much sugar or bitters, or over-diluting the cocktail. Keep it simple and balanced.
