Smoked maple bourbon Old Fashioned featuring Applewood Smoked Syrup from Crown Maple.
by Chef Mikel Anthony
“Maple and bourbon is a classic pairing—the smoky flavor of bourbon so perfectly matches the sweetness of the maple, you have to wonder why anyone ever bothered making this drink with white sugar. (Given that the Old-Fashioned dates back to 1806, it’s nearly as old as the first industrial maple producers.) This is the beverage we hand to guests when they come in the door. It’s my personal favorite, and a Turner family favorite as well (it was the signature drink at my nephew’s wedding). Just be sure you find a bourbon that’s not too sweet for this cocktail—I prefer Woodford Reserve or Maker’s Mark, but you might want to use your favorite brand instead.”
This recipe is part of the Chef’s Roll Test Kitchen Series and is made in partnership with Crown Maple.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 tbsp. Crown Maple Applewood Smoked Syrup
- 3 to 4 dashes Angostura bitters
- 2 sections Orange
- 2 sections Lemon
- ¼ cup (60 ml) Good-quality bourbon
- Ice cubes
- Sparkling water
- 2 ea. stemmed Maraschino cherries
METHOD
- Pour the Crown Maple syrup into a cocktail shaker or large glass. Pour the bitters over the syrup to saturate, then squeeze in the juice from 1 orange section and 1 lemon section.
- Add the unsqueezed fruit sections, then press with a pestle to muddle the fruit with the syrup. Add the bourbon and stir well.
- Add 1 or 2 ice cubes and top with 1 to 2 inches (2.5 to 5 cm) sparkling water. Stir again. Pour over ice in two glasses, and garnish each glass with a cherry.
