Craving something that’s a little sweeter than usual? Start sipping on the Maple Old Fashioned.
Sure, these streets can be unfair. Downright mean too, sometimes. But that’s the life. Detective work is a cruel and unforgiving mistress. After eight divorces and four separations, I’ve learned that the hard way.
Once I’d cracked a hard case, I usually strolled through the city as the rain fell. But this was a little later in the year, and now it was the snow swirling around my ankles. Why I chose today as the day to try out my new capris and flip-flops will forever be a mystery. I chalked that up to just being brain-tired after a particularly trying and globetrotting caper. Those Carmen Sandiego games made it look so easy…
After not being able to feel my feet for a few blocks, I hobbled into a nice, divey watering hole, hoping that a few sips from a handful of Old Fashioneds might warm up my piggies before we went wee-wee-wee all the way home. The barkeep was an old friend, and served me my usual, but with a little extra something-something they put in it.
A Maple Old Fashioned they called it, and it was something they learned slinging drinks at the officer’s club in the Canadian Army. Potent and with an extra sweet foundation, I found my digits warming up after only a couple of gulps.
Despite the cozy sensation this cocktail gave me and my near-frozen feet, I called a cab to take me home. Walking in the snow in sandals? Hard-boiled or not, that’s ridiculous.
What is the best bourbon to use in a Maple Old Fashioned?
You absolutely could go for a spiced and rougher-hewn rye whiskey to make this cocktail with. But the presence of maple syrup has me thinking we should stick with what our recipe suggests, a smoky, smooth and aged bourbon. The richer notes this spirit has, like caramel and vanilla, will meld nicely with the sweetly dark and syrupy maple that is featured. With all the different bourbons you can choose from, I opted for a nice Woodford Reserve for my Old Fashioned, which gave my cocktail a subtle, creamy finish on each sip.
Ingredients
- 2 ounces bourbon
- 1/2 ounce maple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 twist orange peel for garnish
Instructions
- Combine the bourbon, maple syrup and Angostura bitters in a cocktail mixing glass.
- Fill the glass with ice and stir until well chilled (about 30 seconds).
- Strain the mix into a rocks glass filled with a cocktail ice cube or two. Garnish it with an orange peel twist and serve.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
Fill a rocks or Old Fashioned glass with a large cocktail cube, pour your dram over it and garnish with an orange twist.
Can different styles of bitters be used?
You can experiment with making any Old Fashioned cocktail a slightly different one by trying a dash or two of various bitters. Angostura is the most commonly used, but you can alter the flavor profile of your drink in a gentle way by using cherry, chocolate, orange, or any of the myriad bitters flavors that are available.
Other Old Fashioned variations worth trying
The Old Fashioned is one of those classic, iconic and simple cocktails that seem to invite offshoots, riffs and variants. Twist & Toast has a nice array of different kinds of Old Fashioneds you can try if you’re feeling adventurous and want a tipple that’s both familiar and a little off the beaten path.
- Italian Old Fashioned – Amaro gives this Old Fashioned some flair from the old country.
- Brandy Old Fashioned – Use brandy as the base in this Wisconsin favorite.
- Pumpkin Spice Old Fashioned – When the leaves start falling and the air gets brisk, the pumpkin spice must flow.
- Smoked Old Fashioned – Have a cocktail that is literally oozing atmosphere and ambiance with this recipe.
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