Frequently asked questions
What liquor goes with maple?
Any cocktail made with maple and bourbon is immediately enticing. Bourbon, which is America's answer to whiskey, has a natural sweetness that's wonderfully complementary to maple syrup. Bourbon’s soft texture plus its floral flavor and aroma make it a spirit ideal for mixing with a range of cocktail ingredients, as it can hold up to bold flavors and shine with more gentle ones. In the Maple-Bourbon Smash, the spirit is paired with orange, lemon, bitters, and sweet maple syrup in a perfectly sweet and sour drink.
![Maple-Bourbon Smash](https://www.foodandwine.com/thmb/eefx5xZZFe1R7LInEeOY1HiNizQ=/1500x0/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/maple-bourbon-smash-hero-01-FT-RECIPE1222-b505358fe4864fa083ae3ab27fc4b561.jpg)
Julia Hartbeck
Can you use maple syrup instead of simple syrup in a cocktail?
This recipe’s creator, Robb Turner, is the owner of Crown Maple, a New York State-based maple syrup brand. To make his riff on the classic Old Fashioned, Turner uses syrup produced on his 800-acre organic maple farm. Unlike a traditional Old Fashioned, which calls for sugar or simple syrup, Turner’s swap for maple syrup adds complexity. He prefers Grade A dark amber syrup, which is deeper in color and flavor compared to lighter grades. This more savory maple is a great match for bourbon’s richness.
How do you muddle oranges?
To bring brightness to this maple-bourbon cocktail, Turner muddles a wheel of orange with freshly squeezed lemon and orange juices, citrusy Angostura bitters, and maple syrup. Muddling the citrus, peel and all, imparts a touch of bitterness which helps balance the sweet and tart flavors of the other ingredients. Plus, the muddled orange wheel in this drink solidifies the Maple-Bourbon Smash as a member of the fabulous category of smash cocktails — composed of cocktails made with muddled fruit or herbs.
Notes from the Food & Wine Test Kitchen
While there are a few extra ingredients in this drink compared to a classic Old Fashioned, it couldn’t be easier to make. Since the cocktail is mixed in the glass it's served in, reach for a heavy-bottomed rocks glass that can stand up to the weight and pressure of a muddler. Once you’ve muddled and mixed everything together, top this cocktail with plenty of ice and a bit over an ounce of club soda for a spritz-y finish. — Lucy Simon
Ingredients
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1/2 ounce pure maple syrup, preferably Grade A dark amber
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1/2 ounce fresh orange juice
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1/4 ounce fresh lemon juice
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4 dashes of Angostura bitters
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1/2 orange wheel
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2 ounces bourbon
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Ice
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1 1/2 ounces chilled seltzer
Directions
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Julia Hartbeck
Gather your ingredients.
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Julia Hartbeck
In a rocks glass, combine the maple syrup with the orange juice, lemon juice, and bitters.
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Julia Hartbeck
Add the orange wheel and lightly muddle.
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Julia Hartbeck
Add the bourbon and stir well.
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Julia Hartbeck
Fill the glass with ice and top with the chilled seltzer.