Best Effort Bourbon Old Fashioned
A classic bourbon cocktail elevated with a touch of maple syrup and orange bitters for a smooth, well-rounded sip. This recipe, ready in about 4 minutes, brings together bourbon whiskey, maple syrup, orange bitters for a refreshing, crowd-pleasing drink — a bright, easy pour for parties, gatherings, or any warm-weather afternoon when you want something festive without alcohol-only options. Each serving lands at about 210 calories and feeds 1, so it works for entertaining, brunch, or a non-alcoholic option at the bar cart. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon whiskey
- 1/4 oz maple syrup
- 3 dashes orange bitters
- 1 large ice cube
- 1 wide strip for garnish orange peel
- 1 for garnish maraschino cherry
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Equipment for this recipe
Tools this recipe's steps call for, with a link to each on Amazon.
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 1 large clear ice cube in a rocks glass.
- Step 2: Add 2 oz bourbon whiskey, 1/4 oz maple syrup, and 3 dashes of orange bitters directly into the glass.
- Step 3: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds to chill and dilute slightly.
- Step 4: Express a wide strip of orange peel over the surface, twisting to release oils, then rub the peel around the glass rim and rest it inside.
- Step 5: Garnish with a single maraschino cherry skewered on a cocktail pick and placed beside the orange peel.









