Maple Old Fashioned Fall Cocktail Recipe: The Cozy, Boozy Hug Your Evenings Deserve

Skip the PSL flex—this is how adults celebrate fall. One sip of a Maple Old Fashioned and your living room transforms into a cabin with a crackling fireplace and flannel everything. It’s bold, silky, and just sweet enough to win over the bourbon skeptics.

No fancy bartender tools, no mixology degree—just a glass, a few deliberate moves, and a wildly satisfying cocktail you’ll want on repeat. Ready to make your new cold-weather signature?

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Why You’ll Love This Recipe

  • Balanced sweetness: Maple syrup adds warmth and depth without overpowering the bourbon.
  • Seasonal aromatics: Orange oils, bitters, and optional cinnamon bring autumn straight to the glass.
  • Minimal effort, maximum payoff: Five minutes, no shaker, and you’re sipping like you own a speakeasy.
  • Customizable: Dial sweetness up or down, swap spirits, or add spiced syrup for a cozy twist.
  • Entertainer’s dream: Easy to batch for guests, with a garnish that looks like it costs $18 at a cocktail bar.

Ingredients

  • 2 oz bourbon (rye works too if you prefer a spicier profile)
  • 1/4 oz pure maple syrup (grade A amber or dark for best flavor)
  • 2–3 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 dash orange bitters (optional but recommended)
  • Orange peel (for express and garnish)
  • Large ice cube (or several smaller cubes, but big is better)
  • Optional: 1 dash cinnamon or apple bitters, or a tiny pinch of ground cinnamon
  • Optional garnish: Luxardo cherry, cinnamon stick, star anise

Let’s Get Cooking – Instructions

  1. Chill your glass: Toss a rocks glass in the freezer for a few minutes. A cold glass = colder, smoother drink.
  2. Add the good stuff: In the chilled glass, combine bourbon, maple syrup, and bitters.
  3. Ice matters: Add one large ice cube.

    It melts slower, which keeps the drink strong and silky instead of watery.

  4. Stir with intention: Stir 20–30 seconds. You’re aiming for slight dilution and a glossy texture, not a whirlpool.
  5. Express the orange: Take a wide strip of orange peel, twist over the glass to release oils, then rub the rim with it.
  6. Garnish like a pro: Drop in the peel. Add a Luxardo cherry or a cinnamon stick if you’re feeling fancy.
  7. Taste and tune: Want sweeter?

    Add a few drops more maple. Want spicier? A dash of cinnamon bitters, and boom—autumn in stereo.

Storage Tips

  • Pre-batch for parties: Mix bourbon, maple, and bitters in a sealed bottle (no ice) and refrigerate up to 1 week.

    Stir with ice and garnish per glass when serving.

  • Maple syrup care: Store pure maple syrup in the fridge after opening; it can mold at room temp.
  • Bitters longevity: Bitters are shelf-stable; keep them cool and away from direct light for best flavor.
  • Don’t store with ice: Pre-diluted cocktails degrade quickly. Add ice only when serving.

Health Benefits

Is this a health drink? No.

But you can still make smarter choices. Maple syrup contains trace minerals like manganese and zinc and has a lower glycemic index than refined sugar—so it’s a slight upgrade in the sweetener department. Bitters can support digestion, especially post-meal, and the orange oils bring bright aromatics that may help curb over-sipping because the flavor is more satisfying. And yes, portion control matters: sticking to a single serving keeps this in the “treat” category, not the habit you explain to your doctor.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Using pancake syrup: If the bottle says “maple-flavored,” put it back. You need pure maple syrup for clean flavor.
  • Too much maple: This is an Old Fashioned, not dessert.

    Start with 1/4 oz and adjust in drops, not glugs.

  • Over-dilution: Stirring for a full minute with small ice cubes turns your cocktail into fall-flavored water.
  • Skipping the orange oil: The expressed peel adds aroma that makes the drink taste richer and more complex.
  • Wrong glass or warm glass: A warm, thin-walled glass speeds up dilution and kills the vibe.
  • Over-garnishing with spice: Star anise and cinnamon are potent. Treat them like cologne—less is more, IMO.

Alternatives

  • Rye Maple Old Fashioned: Swap bourbon for rye for a drier, spicier profile that plays great with maple.
  • Smoked Maple Old Fashioned: Use a smoked glass or a few drops of peated Scotch rinse to add campfire notes.
  • Apple-Brandy Twist: Replace half the bourbon with apple brandy or calvados for orchard vibes.
  • Walnut Bitters Version: Swap Angostura for black walnut bitters. It’s like a pecan pie cameo without the sugar crash.
  • Spiced Maple Syrup: Warm 1/2 cup maple with a cinnamon stick, a few whole cloves, and orange peel; cool and strain.

    Use 1/4 oz per drink.

  • Low-ABV Sipper: Cut bourbon to 1.5 oz and add 0.5 oz cold brew or chamomile tea for body without the punch.

FAQ

What’s the best bourbon for a Maple Old Fashioned?

Choose a mid- to high-proof bourbon (94–100 proof) with vanilla and caramel notes—think Elijah Craig, Wild Turkey 101, or Four Roses Small Batch. Avoid super smoky or heavily finished bottles that can clash with maple’s delicate sweetness.

Can I use honey instead of maple syrup?

Yes, but it becomes a Honey Old Fashioned. Honey is thicker and more floral; thin 1/4 oz honey with a few drops of warm water before stirring, or use a runnier variety like acacia.

Do I need orange bitters?

No, but a dash elevates the citrus aroma and balances maple’s richness.

If you skip it, consider an extra firm twist of orange peel to compensate.

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Is it okay to shake an Old Fashioned?

Shaking introduces air and over-dilutes, muting the spirit. Stirring keeps the texture silky and the flavors clean. Old Fashioneds are stirred—bartender law, FYI.

What if I don’t have a large ice cube?

Use the biggest cubes you have and stir a little less.

If you’re making these often, grab a silicone large-cube mold; it’s a small upgrade with a big payoff.

How sweet should it be?

Balanced. You should taste bourbon first, with maple as a warm finish. If it tastes like breakfast, you added too much syrup—add a dash more bitters and a tiny splash of bourbon to recalibrate.

Can I batch this for a crowd?

Absolutely.

Combine 2 cups bourbon, 1/4 cup maple syrup, 20 dashes Angostura, and 10 dashes orange bitters. Chill, then pour 3 oz per glass over ice, stir, express orange, and garnish.

What’s the best garnish?

An expressed orange peel is non-negotiable. A Luxardo cherry or a cinnamon stick adds visual drama and a hint of aroma without turning the drink into potpourri.

Can I make it less strong?

Use 1.5 oz bourbon and add a small splash (0.25 oz) of cold water while stirring.

You’ll keep the flavor while smoothing out the potency.

Which maple syrup grade should I use?

Grade A amber or dark offers richer, more complex flavor. Light grades can get lost; very dark can overwhelm if you’re heavy-handed.

In Conclusion

The Maple Old Fashioned Fall Cocktail Recipe is the classy, seasonal flex your nights in deserve: simple mechanics, premium flavor, and just enough sweetness to make the bourbon sing. It’s cozy without being cloying, elegant without effort, and endlessly customizable.

Stock good bourbon, real maple, and a fresh orange, and you’ve got a five-minute masterpiece on standby. Cheers to sweater weather, crackling leaves, and a cocktail that proves less really can be more.

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