Excellence-Spiced Maple Old Fashioned
A rich, warming old fashioned with a touch of maple and warming spices to embody the essence of excellence and warmth. This cocktails & drinks-inspired quick meals ready in about 6 minutes pairs bourbon, pure maple syrup, dashes Angostura bitters for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 190 calories and feeds 1, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. 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
- 0.25 oz pure maple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 wide strip orange peel
- 1 large clear ice cube
- a pinch (for garnish) ground cinnamon
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 0.25 oz pure maple syrup and 2 dashes of Angostura bitters into a mixing glass.
- Step 2: Pour in 2 oz bourbon and fill the mixing glass with ice cubes to chill.
- Step 3: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds until the mixture is well chilled and slightly diluted.
- Step 4: Strain the cocktail into a rocks glass over a single large clear ice cube.
- Step 5: Express a wide strip of orange peel over the surface to release oils, then rub it around the rim and drop it in.
- Step 6: Lightly dust a pinch of ground cinnamon on top for a subtle aromatic finish.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Excellence-Spiced Maple Old Fashioned take to make?
Total time is about 6 minutes (6 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.
How do I store leftover Excellence-Spiced Maple Old Fashioned?
Cool to room temperature within 2 hours, then store in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 4 days. Reheat covered in a 350°F oven for 10-12 minutes, or microwave at 70% power in 60-second bursts to keep bourbon from drying out.
Can I substitute ingredients in Excellence-Spiced Maple Old Fashioned?
Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.
How do I scale Excellence-Spiced Maple Old Fashioned for a different number of people?
The recipe is written for 1 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 1). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.
What goes well with Excellence-Spiced Maple Old Fashioned?
Cocktails & Drinks quick meals like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.
