Maple Old Fashioned Cocktail: A Vermont Twist on a Classic

Time: 5 minutes | Serves: 1 

Here in Vermont, we’re not afraid to drink maple syrup straight from the bottle. But when the occasion calls for a little more balance, we reach for this maple old fashioned.

Replacing the traditional sugar cube with pure Vermont maple syrup gives the cocktail a smooth sweetness that blends effortlessly with bourbon or rye. We recommend our dark maple syrup for its rich, robust flavor, but you can easily adjust the amount to suit your taste.

After a long day working on the farm, there’s nothing better than kicking up our feet beside the wood stove and unwinding with one of these.

Maple Old Fashioned Recipe

Ingredients:

• 2 ounces bourbon or rye whiskey
• 1 teaspoon Spring Hill Farm dark maple syrup
• 2-3 dashes aromatic bitters
• Ice
• Orange peel, for garnish
• Cocktail cherry, for garnish (optional)

Instructions:

1. Add the whiskey, maple syrup and bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice.
2. Stir for about 30 seconds, until well chilled.
3. Strain into a rocks glass over one large ice cube or several fresh ice cubes.
4. Express an orange peel over the drink by gently twisting it to release its oils. Add the peel and a cocktail cherry, if desired.

Make It with Vermont Ingredients

A maple old fashioned is an easy way to bring a little more Vermont into your glass.

The maple syrup: Spring Hill Farm maple syrup is produced from sap collected from our own sugarbush and boiled and bottled here on our farm in Grafton. We prefer dark syrup in this cocktail because its stronger maple flavor stands up beautifully to the whiskey.

The whiskey: Bourbon and rye both work well. Bourbon makes a rounder, slightly sweeter drink, while rye contributes a drier, spicier finish. For a Vermont-made option, try a rye from Smugglers’ Notch Distillery or WhistlePig. Vermont Spirits’ No. 14 Bourbon is another fitting choice since it is finished with a touch of Vermont maple.

The bitters: Classic aromatic bitters are always dependable. Orange bitters are also delicious when you want to emphasize the citrus garnish. Our friends at Runamok produce aromatic and orange cocktail bitters in Vermont, although any favorite bitters will work.

The garnish: Finish the drink with a strip of fresh orange peel. A cocktail cherry is optional, but it adds a festive touch. Luxardo cherries are the classic choice, or use locally grown cherries when they are in season.

Maple Old Fashioned Variations

More maple-forward: Increase the maple syrup to 2 teaspoons for a sweeter cocktail with a more pronounced maple flavor.

Drier and spirit-forward: Use just ½ teaspoon of maple syrup and choose a spicy rye whiskey.

Orange maple: Add one dash of orange bitters alongside the aromatic bitters.

Smoky maple: Briefly smoke the serving glass or garnish the cocktail with a flamed orange peel.

Apple season old fashioned: Add a thin slice of Vermont apple as a seasonal garnish, or replace one dash of aromatic bitters with apple bitters.

Whether you enjoy it beside the wood stove, serve it with dinner or mix a round for good friends, this simple cocktail offers a true taste of Vermont—one maple-sweetened sip at a time.