Maple Old Fashioned Recipe

A maple old fashioned is the classic bourbon cocktail with one small swap: real maple syrup stands in for the usual sugar cube or simple syrup. It sounds like a tiny change, but it turns a sharp, spirit-forward drink into something warmer and rounder, with a soft caramel note that plays beautifully against the whiskey. I make this one all through fall and into the holidays, and it has become the drink I reach for whenever I want something that feels a little dressed up without any real effort.

The best part is how simple it is. This isn’t a cocktail that needs a shaker, a strainer, or a trip to a specialty liquor store. You stir three ingredients together in the glass you’re going to drink out of, drop in some ice, and you’re done in under five minutes. If you can make a regular old fashioned, you already know how to make this one.

How to Make a Maple Old Fashioned

To make a maple old fashioned, stir 2 ounces of bourbon, ½ ounce of real maple syrup, and 2 dashes of Angostura bitters together in a rocks glass. Add a large ice cube, stir again for about 20 seconds to chill and dilute the drink, then garnish with an orange peel. That’s the entire recipe, and it scales up easily if you’re making a round for guests.

What You’ll Need

Nothing here is hard to find, and most of it you may already have in your bar cart.

• Bourbon (2 oz): Choose something you’d actually enjoy sipping on its own. You don’t need anything expensive, but a rough or overly harsh bourbon will stand out more once it’s mixed with maple. Buffalo Trace, Four Roses, and Woodford Reserve are all reliable, easy-to-find choices.
• Maple syrup (½ oz): Use real maple syrup, not pancake syrup or anything labeled “maple-flavored.” Grade A Dark, sometimes labeled “robust,” has enough depth to hold its own against the whiskey. Lighter grades work too, but the flavor will be more subtle.
• Angostura bitters (2 dashes): This is the classic choice for an Old Fashioned, and it pairs well with maple’s sweetness. Orange bitters is a good substitute if that’s what you have open.
• A large ice cube: A single large cube melts slower than a handful of small ones, so your drink stays cold without getting watered down too fast.
• Orange peel, for garnish: The oils in the peel add a bright citrus aroma that balances the maple’s sweetness. A maraschino or Luxardo cherry is optional, but a nice finishing touch.

How to Make a Maple Old Fashioned Recipe, Step by Step

1. Combine the bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters. Add all three straight to a rocks glass and stir gently with a bar spoon until the maple syrup is fully incorporated. Maple syrup is thicker than simple syrup, so give it a few extra stirs to make sure it doesn’t settle at the bottom.
2. Add the ice. Once the syrup is dissolved, drop in one large ice cube (or 3 to 4 regular cubes if that’s what you have). Adding the ice after mixing makes it much easier to blend the syrup evenly.
3. Stir again. Give the drink another 15 to 20 seconds of stirring. This chills it and adds a bit of dilution, which softens the whiskey’s edge.
4. Garnish and serve. Cut a 2 to 3 inch strip of orange peel, express the oils over the glass by giving it a firm twist, then run the peel around the rim before dropping it in. Add a cherry if you like a touch of sweetness on the finish.

That’s it. No shaking, no straining, no special equipment. The whole drink comes together in the glass you’re drinking from.

Tips for the Best Maple Old Fashioned Recipe

A few small details make a real difference here.

• Don’t skip real maple syrup. Imitation syrup is mostly corn syrup and artificial flavoring, and it won’t give you the same depth. Real maple syrup is what makes this cocktail taste rich instead of just sweet.
• Match the syrup to your taste. If you want a more pronounced maple flavor, use Grade A Dark or a “very dark, strong” grade. If you’d rather keep the maple subtle, a lighter amber syrup works fine.
• Use quality ice. Big, dense ice cubes melt slowly, which means your drink stays cold and well-balanced for longer instead of getting diluted in the first few sips.
• Taste as you go. Maple syrups vary a lot in sweetness and intensity from brand to brand. Start with ½ ounce, taste, and add a touch more if you want it sweeter.
• Warm the syrup slightly in cold weather. If your maple syrup has thickened in a cold kitchen, a few seconds in warm water makes it pour and mix more easily.

Bourbon vs. Rye: Which Whiskey Works Best

Bourbon is the traditional choice for a maple old fashioned, and for good reason. Bourbon’s natural sweetness, along with its caramel and vanilla notes, plays well with maple syrup without either one overpowering the other. That said, this cocktail is genuinely forgiving, and rye whiskey is a great option if you prefer a drier, spicier drink. Rye is less sweet than bourbon, so the maple syrup has a bit more room to come through, while the whiskey’s peppery notes cut through the sweetness and keep the drink from feeling one-dimensional. If you’re not sure which you’ll prefer, that’s honestly the fun part of making this cocktail at home: try it both ways and see which one you reach for next time.

Does Maple Syrup Actually Make It Taste Like Maple?

Not exactly, and that surprises a lot of people the first time they make this drink. Maple syrup in a cocktail works more like a flavored sweetener than a dominant flavor. It sweetens the drink the way simple syrup would, but with extra warmth, a hint of caramel, and a slightly earthy depth that plain sugar doesn’t have. If you want a more noticeably maple-forward drink, look for a maple-flavored whiskey, or steep a cinnamon stick in your maple syrup for 10 minutes before using it, which adds a cozy, spiced note that reads as more distinctly “maple.”

Variations to Try

Once you’ve made the classic version, it’s easy to riff on it.

• Smoked maple old fashioned: Use a smoked maple syrup, or finish the drink with a quick smoke from a smoking gun for a campfire-style twist.
• Spiced maple old fashioned: Simmer a cinnamon stick or a couple of whole cloves in your maple syrup for 10 minutes, then let it cool before using. This adds warmth that’s especially nice around the holidays.
• Apple cider maple old fashioned: Add a splash of apple cider for a lighter, more orchard-inspired take on the drink. It’s a great option for a fall gathering.
• Non-alcoholic maple old fashioned: Swap the bourbon for a whiskey alternative and follow the same ratios. You’ll still get the sweet, bitter, spirit-like balance without the alcohol.
• Salted maple old fashioned: A tiny pinch of flaky sea salt on top brings out the caramel notes in both the bourbon and the maple syrup.

Can I use rye instead of bourbon in a maple old fashioned?

Yes. Rye whiskey works well in this cocktail and gives you a spicier, drier drink than bourbon does. Because rye is less sweet, the maple flavor tends to come through a bit more clearly, so it’s worth trying if you find the bourbon version a touch too sweet for your taste.

What’s the best maple syrup to use?

Real maple syrup labeled Grade A Dark or “robust flavor” tends to work best, since it has enough depth to stand up to the whiskey. Lighter grades will still work, but the maple flavor will be more delicate. Avoid pancake syrup or anything labeled “maple-flavored,” since those are usually corn syrup with artificial flavoring.

Can I make a batch of maple old fashioneds ahead of time?

Yes, and it’s a great trick for parties. Stir together the bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters in a pitcher ahead of time, then keep it chilled in the fridge. When you’re ready to serve, pour it over ice and add the garnish. This lets you make several drinks at once without stirring each one individually.

Do I need a large ice cube, or will regular cubes work?

Regular ice cubes work fine if that’s what you have. A single large cube is preferred because it melts more slowly, which keeps the drink from getting watered down as quickly, but 3 to 4 standard cubes will still make a great cocktail.

If you give this maple old fashioned a try, I’d love to hear how you made yours, whether you stuck with bourbon or switched things up with rye, a smoked syrup, or your own favorite bitters. It’s a forgiving drink, so don’t be afraid to make it your own.