Maple-Bourbon Smash

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.

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