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    Home - Drinks

    Published: Feb 23, 2021 · Modified: Oct 5, 2021 by Amanda Powell · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Maple Old Fashioned

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    This maple old fashioned is a classic cocktail with a light maple twist. This recipe comes from the historic Fedora in Manhattan.

    looking down at maple old fashioned with cherry and orange garnish

    Why it works

    This takes the classic cocktail and gives it a little twist. The maple enhances the sweet complexity of the bourbon.

    The combination of maple and bourbon creates a nutty and lightly caramel flavor to the drink that leaves you feeling deliciously warm.

    The added cherry and orange add a light fruitiness that brightens the flavor profile.

    What makes this particular old fashioned unique is the addition of pecan bitter which enhances the nuttiness from the maple and bourbon.

    Pecan bitters can be difficult to source, so the recipe notes you can also use Angostura bitters as a substitute. I personally enjoy using cherry bitters to add to the fruitiness.

    This recipe comes from The United States of Cocktails by Brian Bartels. It's from the now closed Fedora bar in Manhattan.

    united states of cocktails cookbook

    Ingredients

    There are only a few ingredients needed to make a maple old fashioned.

    • Bourbon - I recommend using a nice quality bourbon, but you don't have to spring for the top shelf stuff - in my opinion. The brands recommended are Four Roses, Makers Mark , Jim Beam, and Buffalo Trace.
    • Cherry liqueur - They recommend Cherry Heering for this cocktail, but also note any cherry liqueur will work.
    • Maple syrup - Make sure you are using real maple syrup, not the thick, super sweet stuff you put on your pancakes. I prefer amber maple syrup for a lightly complex taste.
    • Bitters - The original recipe calls for Miracle Mile Toasted Pecan bitters, but you can substitute with Angostura. I found a wonderful cherry bitters so I used that instead and it is absolutely delightful! I think you could also use orange bitters with great success.
    • Garnish - Traditionally, you should use cherry and/or orange to garnish your cocktail. I used both.
    dropping bitters into cocktail

    Garnish

    I used Luxardo cherries to garnish. They're on the pricier side, but are so much better than using maraschino cherries. If you are only using them for cocktails, they should last you for a bit (unless you're making cocktails for a crowd).

    You can also use real, fresh cherries if they're in season. Frozen cherries may also work.

    You can get fancy with your orange peel. I've seen some intricate twists and arrangements that are so much fun.

    If you want to go an extra step, you can heat the orange peel to make a burnt orange garnish which adds more depth to the flavor profile of your maple old fashioned.

    close up of maple old fashioned

    Related recipes

    If you want another drink to sip on, I recommend this brown butter apple cider hot toddy, bourbon spiked hot chocolate, and peanut butter cocktail.

    looking down at maple old fashioned with cherry and orange garnish

    Maple Old Fashioned

    Amanda Powell
    A relaxing and unforgettable maple old fashioned.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 4 mins
    Total Time 4 mins
    Course Cocktail Recipes
    Cuisine American
    Servings 1 drink
    Calories 156 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 2 ounces bourbon
    • ¼ ounce cherry liqueur
    • ¼ ounce maple syrup
    • 3 dashes toasted pecan bitters

    Instructions
     

    • Stir together the bourbon, cherry liqueur, and maple syrup with ice an a cocktail shaker until chilled.
    • Strain into a chilled rocks glass with fresh ice.
    • Top with the bitters.
    • Add the cherries, and squeeze the orange peel to release its oils into the cocktail before placing it into the glass.
    • Enjoy immediately.

    Notes

    You can use Angostura or cherry bitters.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 156kcalCarbohydrates: 19gFat: 1gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 2mgSugar: 18g
    Keyword bourbon, cherry, cocktail, drink, maple, old fashioned, orange
    Tried this recipe?Tag me on Instagram! @acookienameddesire #acookienameddesire

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    About Amanda Powell

    Baker, photographer, and sometimes world traveler behind A Cookie Named Desire. Obsessed with helping people live life sweetly with delicious food to share with the special people in your life and creating lasting memories.

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    Hi, I'm Amanda! I am the baker and photographer behind A Cookie Named Desire. I'm a world traveler (sometimes) with a major weakness for cookies and cheese. While I'm mostly self-taught, I recently received a degree in Food Science!

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