Apparently, cocktails have been around forever, and, while the popularity of cocktails has waxed and waned, fancy-boozy-drinks are currently very much on the rise. All three of these things can also be said for the—timeless, enduring and currently-in-vogue—taste of maple. So why don’t we get cocktails and maple together and have a happy hour? We did. And here’s the sweet proof. Enjoy!
Maple Old Fashioned: Pour 2 oz bourbon, 3-4 shakes of angostura bitters (or 1/2 oz Hooker Mountain Farm Distillery Drifter Bitters) and 1/2 oz maple syrup in a rocks glass. Stir to combine. Add ice and garnish with an orange twist and a cherry. Good any old time!
Tap n’ Sparkle: Put a small piece of maple candy (or teaspoon of syrup) in the bottom of a champagne flute. Add two shakes of angostura bitters. Fill flute with champagne and garnish with a small triangle of grapefruit. (Also perfect for Mother’s Day Brunch!)
Tree’s Knees: Put 1 tsp maple syrup, juice of half a lemon and 2 oz gin (we use Barr Hill) in a shaker with ice. Shake, pour into a favorite glass and garnish with a lemon twist. It’ll perk you right up!
Perfect Maple Manhattan: Mix 2 shakes of angostura bitters, 1/2 oz dry vermouth, 2 oz of rye whiskey and 1/2 oz maple syrup in a rocks glass. Add ice, garnish with a Luxardo cherry and enjoy. Pairs well with the question: “is it spring yet?”
New England Sangria: Mix equal parts white cranberry juice and white wine. Add maple syrup to taste. Garnish with frozen cranberries. Now, go tend to the hens!
Maple Mulled Wine: Heat red wine in a saucepan with a handful of cardamom pods and maple syrup to taste. Ladle 3 oz into mug or handled glass, let cool for 30 seconds and add 1 oz vodka. Breathe. Sip. Repeat.