Fall-Spiced Old Fashioned Cocktail

Here's an Old Fashioned cocktail that's ready for fall! Maple syrup plus infused bourbon brings warming fall spices—cloves, star anise, and cinnamon—to this spin on the classic cocktail.

By
Nancy Mitchell
Nancy Mitchell
Nancy Mitchell
Nancy founded The Backyard Bartender, wrote a cocktail column for The Kitchn, and started writing for Simply Recipes in 2018.
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Updated November 28, 2022
Nancy Mitchell
Old Fashioned Cocktail with Maple
Nancy Mitchell

The Old Fashioned is one of my go-to cocktails—it is at once reliable and a little bit fancy. The warmth from the whiskey and the little bit of sweetness from the sugar make for a really unbeatable combo.

If you're searching for something reliably delightful for a special evening at home or a gathering with friends, here's a tiny twist on a traditional cocktail that's very simple to make, takes just a few ingredients, and yet tastes very sophisticated, indeed.

Old Fashioned Cocktail with Maple make the cocktail
Nancy Mitchell

What Are the Ingredients for an Old Fashioned?

Your typical Old Fashioned is made with a sugar cube, bitters, and bourbon. I like to muddle a bit of orange peel in mine, but for purists, this is controversial.

This variation uses maple syrup in place of the sugar, which gives the drink an extra depth and richness.

Nancy Mitchell

Infuse Your Bourbon With Spices!

For something that's even more seasonal (and even a little unexpected), try making your maple Old Fashioned with this spice-infused bourbon.

Although the idea of infusing liquor may seem a little intimidating if you've never tried it before, it is very simple to make and takes just 24 hours. And it's a great way to take this bourbon drink to the next level.

An Old Fashioned made with spice infused bourbon has an extra bit of fullness and warmth, just in time for a chilly night.

Nancy Mitchell

What Bourbon to Buy for an Old Fashioned?

A good bourbon makes a great Old Fashioned. For this cocktail, choose a top shelf brand, like Knob Creek or Bulleit. Four Roses is a more affordable option, and also makes a tasty cocktail.
If you’re not into the infusing thing and want to just stay classic, it will still be delicious. Or if you want the spiced bourbon and don’t want to wait for it to infuse, there are plenty of brands that make spiced bourbons, such as Wild Turkey.

More Cozy Fall Cocktails

Fall-Spiced Old Fashioned Cocktail

Prep Time 2 mins
Total Time 2 mins
Servings 8 drinks

Ingredients

For the infused bourbon:

  • 2 cups bourbon

  • 1 whole star anise

  • 2 whole cinnamon sticks

  • 12 whole cloves

  • 1 vanilla bean, split lengthwise

For the Fall-Spiced Old Fashioned (makes one cocktail):

  • 2 teaspoons maple syrup

  • 1 teaspoon water

  • 4 dashes angostura aromatic bitters

  • 2 ounces infused bourbon

  • Ice

  • Orange peel

Method

  1. Infuse the bourbon:

    Place bourbon and spices in a glass jar with a lid. Allow to infuse for 24 hours, shaking occasionally. Strain the bourbon into a clean jar. (This makes enough for 8 cocktails)

    Holiday Spiced Old Fashioned Drink infuse the bourbon
    Nancy Mitchell
  2. Make the cocktail:

    Add the maple syrup, water, and bitters to the bottom of an old-fashioned glass. Add the ice and the bourbon, and stir for about 30 seconds.

  3. Garnish with orange peel:

    Rub a piece of orange peel around the rim of the glass and drop it in.

    Old Fashioned Cocktail with Maple make the cocktail
    Nancy Mitchell
Nutrition Facts (per serving)
8 Calories
0g Fat
2g Carbs
0g Protein
×
Nutrition Facts
Servings: 8
Amount per serving
Calories 8
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 0g 0%
Saturated Fat 0g 0%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 1mg 0%
Total Carbohydrate 2g 1%
Dietary Fiber 0g 1%
Total Sugars 1g
Protein 0g
Vitamin C 1mg 5%
Calcium 8mg 1%
Iron 0mg 0%
Potassium 10mg 0%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate. In cases where multiple ingredient alternatives are given, the first listed is calculated for nutrition. Garnishes and optional ingredients are not included.