Canadian Maple Old-Fashioned

This Canadian Maple Old-Fashioned Cocktail is a twist on a classic cocktail, made with just a few simple ingredients, that’s smooth and easy to sip.

There are some recipes, drinks included, that just reminds me of a specific time of the year. Old-Fashioned Cocktails are one of them. Smooth and warming, I consider them to be the adult drink of winter.

Just imagine yourself on the couch next to the fireplace, watching the snow through the window, and sipping on a delicious whisky cocktail. Though that may not always be the setting, those are the images and feelings that a good Old-Fashioned Cocktail conjures up within me.

To change things up a bit, I decided to add a Canadian twist to my cocktail. I swapped out simple syrup for maple syrup and I’ve never looked back.

An Old-Fashioned with maple syrup is a smooth, aromatic cocktail with just the perfect touch of sweetness. Try this swap the next time you make this classic drink and won’t regret it!

Some Other Favorite Holiday Drinks:

• Rich and Creamy Keto Hot Chocolate
• Rudy Red Grapefruit Mulled Wine
• Partridge in a Pear Tree Crown Royal Drink
• Apple Cider Mimosa

Ingredients & substitutions

• Canadian whisky – Can substitute with any whiskey or bourbon.
• Maple syrup – What gives it the Canadian and holiday flare and is the substitute for the standard sugar cube typically used in old-fashioned cocktail recipes.
• Angostura bitters – A blend of herbs and spices, bitters round out the flavour profile and add balance to the sweetness.
• Maraschino cherries – For garnish and flavour.
• Orange peel – Twisted or squeezed, expressing the oils from the orange peel releases the orange oils adding flavour but more importantly aroma when you bring the drink from table to nose.

How to make a maple old-fashioned

Add all ingredients for the old-fashioned cocktail into a tumbler with ice and stir. Be sure to squeeze the orange peel before adding. Sip and enjoy.

What is the difference between this Maple Old-Fashioned and a Traditional Old-Fashioned Cocktail Recipe?

Many of the ingredients are the same – the whisky or bourbon, angostura bitters, and even the cherry and orange peel garnishes. The main difference is that this Maple Syrup Old-Fashioned swaps out the simple syrup or sugar cube for maple syrup, which really elevates the flavor profile.

I also didn’t find the need to add in the typical tablespoon or so of water that most old-fashioned cocktail recipes suggest. Once the ice melts this recipe smoothes out on its own.

What kind of bitters go in an Old-Fashioned Cocktail?

Angostura bitters are a hallmark staple of any old fashioned cocktail. They are made in Trinidad and Tobago with a special blend of extracts from roots, leaves, grasses, and fruits. Substituting other bitters will provide you with a different flavor palate than that of a traditional old-fashioned.

What is the difference between a Manhattan and an Old-Fashioned Cocktail?

These two classic cocktails are similar but with a few major differences. While an Old-Fashioned Cocktail is made with bourbon or rye whiskey, a Manhattan is almost always prepared with a rye whiskey and substitutes vermouth for any type of sugar or syrup.

What alcohol goes into an Old-Fashioned Cocktail?

Traditionally, whisky is used to make an old-fashioned. For this Old-Fashioned with maple syrup, I used Canadian whisky but any rye whisky or bourbon will do. I’ve even seen some recipes that use a good aged rum.

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