Some drinks whisper. This one smolders. The Smoky Maple Old Fashioned takes the bones of a timeless cocktail and enriches them with the depth of smoked aroma and the quiet sweetness of real maple. It’s the kind of drink that feels intentionally slower — a warm contrast to the rush of cold evenings and one that rewards a deliberate sip.
The classic Old Fashioned doesn’t need improving, but it does invite variation when the weather turns cold. Smoke and maple both bring structure rather than clutter: one adds aroma, the other adds weight. Together, they create a drink that feels firmly seasonal without leaning on gimmicks. Think of it as an Old Fashioned made for firelight, thick blankets, and conversations that refuse to be hurried.
Here is the recipe!
Smoky Maple Old Fashioned
Equipment
- Old Fashioned Glass
- Large Ice Cube Mold
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey
- ½ oz real maple syrup (Grade A or darker)
- 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
- 1 dash orange bitters (optional but recommended)
- orange peel
- ice cube
To Finish (Smoke Options)
- Smoking gun with oak or applewood chips
- A small piece of hardwood (oak/apple) for a quick burn to smoke-rinse the glass
- Flame the orange peel for a lighter, citrus-led smoke effect
Instructions
- Add the whiskey, maple syrup, and bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice.
- Stir until thoroughly chilled and properly diluted (about 20–25 seconds).
- Strain into a rocks glass over one large cube.
- Express the orange peel over the surface, then drop it in.
- Add smoke: use a smoking gun, or briefly cover the drink with a glass dome over smoldering wood; alternatively, flame the citrus peel for a quick hit of aroma.
- Serve immediately while the smoke remains aromatic.
Nutrition
Why It Works
The structure follows a proven template: spirit, sweetness, bitterness. The maple sweetens without overpowering, and the smoke adds aroma rather than flavor domination. The result is layered but cohesive — a cocktail that stands up to autumn’s richness and carries the calm confidence of a classic.