Chicago-Inspired Smoked Maple Old Fashioned

By AislePrompt Editorial · ·

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are developed and reviewed.

A smoky twist on the classic Old Fashioned with rich maple syrup and a hint of cherry bitters, evoking Chicago's bold culinary character. This recipe, ready in about 8 minutes, brings together bourbon, maple syrup, cherry 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 190 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.

Prep: 8 min Serves 1 Cocktails & Drinks cuisine 190 cal/serving
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Ingredients

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Instructions

  1. Step 1: Place a small pinch of smoked wood chips in a mixing glass and gently warm them with a lighter to release aroma, then cover to trap the smoke for 15 seconds.
  2. Step 2: Add 2 oz bourbon, 1/4 oz maple syrup, and 3 dashes cherry bitters into the mixing glass with ice cubes filling it halfway.
  3. Step 3: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds to chill and dilute without losing smoke aroma.
  4. Step 4: Strain the cocktail into a rocks glass over a single large clear ice cube.
  5. Step 5: Express 1 wide strip of orange peel over the drink to release oils, then rim the glass and rest the peel on the ice.
  6. Step 6: Garnish with 1 maraschino cherry on a cocktail pick, placing it to the side of the glass.

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