Best Maple Old Fashioned Cocktail (Easy Bourbon Recipe)

by Carolyn Pascual on September 30, 2025

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Fall into the season with the best Maple Old Fashioned, a cozy twist on the classic cocktail. Made with bourbon, maple, and orange, this bold cocktail will be your fireside companion, perfect for all your cooler weather activities like cozy bonfires on the patio, pumpkin carving or a fun-filled Friendsgiving.

If you love an old fashioned you’ll also want to try my Hot Chocolate Old Fashioned, Caffé Old Fashioned, or my Persimmon and Citrus Old Fashioned.

Maple Old Fashioned cocktail in a crystal glass, garnished with an orange peel and maple leaf ice cube, set on a marble coaster.

Now that fall has arrived, I’m all about chunky sweaters, warm blankets, and spirit-forward fall-inspired cocktails. Warm and bold bourbon with a hint of spice pairs with the sweet and rich maple syrup, while the bitters enhance the fall flavors we know and love like star anise, cinnamon, and cardamom. Top it off with orange bitters and you’ve got yourself what I like to call a warm hug in a glass. Garnish with brandied cherries and some edible maple leaves for a simple yet standout cocktail.

The best part is, you can make it all in one glass. It’s a low-mess, high-impact cocktail. Not only does the Maple Old Fashioned warm you on those chilly fall evenings, it can also elevate any fall gathering. The garnish is so cute and your guests will be wowed by the presentation but also pleased with the fall twist on their favorite classic cocktail. So whether you’re snuggled under some blankets by a fire or hosting a festive Friendsgiving, you’ll be thinking this might be the best old fashioned you’ve ever had.

Recipe Ingredients

See the recipe card for quantities.

Bourbon: Choose a bold bourbon that has a mix of smooth and spicy. Bulleit Bourbon is a great choice for this recipe.
Maple Syrup: Always use 100% pure maple syrup without any additives or added sugar for the best quality.
Angostura Bitters: You can find them at pretty much any store that sells alcohol, or online.
Orange Bitters: Angostura makes orange bitters as well, which is always a great option.
Orange Peel: Navel oranges work best for old fashioneds because they have a higher concentration of essential oils.
Cocktail Cherry: Use for garnish as desired. I used brandied Griottines Cherries in this recipe.
Edible Maple Leaf Decoration: I found these adorable edible decorations for garnish on Amazon.

Tools & Equipment List

Check out my favorite glasses here!

How to Make This Recipe

Step 1: In a rocks glass – combine bourbon, maple syrup, Angostura bitters and orange bitters. Stir to combine. Add a large rock of ice and stir until chilled.

Step 2: Twist the orange peel above the drink to express citrus oil, then run the peel around the rim of the glass and add to the drink. Garnish with a cocktail cherry.

Watch How to Make this Recipe

@thesocialsipper
name a better fall nightcap, I’ll wait 🍁 🥃 maple old fashioned ◻️2 oz bourbon ◻️1/4 oz pure maple syrup ◻️2 dashes Angostura bitters ◻️2 dashes orange bitters ◻️Orange peel ◻️Cocktail cherry, like Griottines or Luxardo 1. In a rocks glass – combine bourbon, maple syrup, Angostura bitters and orange bitters. Stir to combine. Add a large rock of ice and stir until chilled. 2. Twist the orange peel above the drink to express citrus oil, then run the peel around the rim of the glass and add to the drink. Garnish with a cocktail cherry.
♬ original sound – The Social Sipper

Tips for Making a Maple Old Fashioned

Use a brandied cherry like Griotinnes Cherries. Brandied cherries are sweet, aromatic, and full of spices like cinnamon and cardamom. Not only do they make a perfect snack but a great garnish for cocktails. Pro Tip: Add a little bit of the juice to your cocktail for next level flavor!
Make sure to use the orange bitters in the Maple Old Fashioned. You’ll find other recipes online only use aromatic bitters but the orange bitters truly complement the maple syrup and bring a bright citrus note to the drink.
Use a Clear Ice Tray for the ice. If you make old fashioneds often, it’s worth it to invest in one. A clear ice cube melts slowly and evenly so the cocktail doesn’t get watered down quickly. It also is synonymous with the aesthetic and presentation of an old fashioned.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the best bourbon for a maple old fashioned?

A bourbon like Bulleit Bourbon works best for a maple old fashioned. With earthy notes of vanilla and oak the bourbon complements the sweetness and richness of the maple syrup. Bulliet Bourbon also adds a bit of a spice to the drink, reminiscent of fall flavors.

What kind of ice do you use for an old fashioned?

For an old fashioned you’ll always want to use clear ice. You can make clear ice with a clear ice tray. This symmetrical square shaped ice cube not only is a part of the signature look of an old fashioned, but it helps keep the spirit-forward cocktail chilled while slowly and evenly melting, not to dilute the drink.

How do you make clear ice at home?

To make clear ice at home you’ll want to use a Clear Ice Tray that you can purchase at the store or online. These silicone and insulated trays make sure the ice is free of impurities and has as close to perfect square shape as possible through a technique called directional freezing. Additionally, make sure to use filtered or distilled water, as tap water will generally be cloudy and not clear when it freezes.

More Fall Inspired Cocktails to Try

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