Maple Bourbon Smash

Any cocktail made with maple and bourbon is immediately enticing. Bourbon, which is America's answer to whisky, has a natural sweetness that pairs perfectly with maple syrup. Bourbon’s soft texture and floral flavor and aroma make it a spirit perfect for mixing with a range of cocktail ingredients, as it can hold up to bold flavors and shine with more gentle ones, too. In the Maple Bourbon Smash, the spirit is paired with orange, lemon, bitters, and sweet maple syrup in a perfectly sweet and sour drink. 

This recipe’s creator, Robb Turner,  is the owner of Crown Maple, a New York State-based maple syrup brand. To make this 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 darker in color and has a more rich flavor compared to lighter grades. This more savory maple pairs perfectly with bourbon’s richness.  

To bring brightness to this 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 — comprised of cocktails made with muddled fruit or herbs. 

While there are a few extra ingredients in this drink compared to a classic Old Fashioned, it couldn’t be easier to make. Since this cocktail is made in the glass it is served, 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 the ingredients, top this cocktail with plenty of ice and a bit over an ounce of club soda for a spritz-y finish. -- Lucy Simon