Smoky Houston Barbecue Old Fashioned
A robust and smoky twist on the classic Old Fashioned inspired by Houston’s famed barbecue, blending bourbon with a touch of smoked maple syrup. This recipe, ready in about 7 minutes, brings together bourbon, smoked maple syrup, Angostura 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
- 1/2 oz smoked maple syrup
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 wide strip orange peel
- 1 large ice cube
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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 1/2 oz smoked maple syrup and 3 dashes of Angostura bitters into a mixing glass.
- Step 2: Add 2 oz bourbon and fill the glass with ice cubes to the brim.
- Step 3: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds to chill and dilute slightly.
- Step 4: Strain into a rocks glass over a single large clear ice cube.
- Step 5: Express a wide strip of orange peel over the glass to release its oils, then rub it along the rim and rest it on top as garnish.







