Southern Illinois Maple Old Fashioned
A refined twist on the classic Old Fashioned featuring maple syrup and aromatic bitters, echoing the rich flavors of the region’s natural landscape. This cocktails-inspired cocktails & drinks ready in about 5 minutes brings together rye whiskey, pure maple syrup, dashes 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 180 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 rye whiskey
- 0.25 oz pure maple syrup
- 3 dashes angostura bitters
- 1 wide strip orange peel
- 1 piece large ice cube
- 1 piece maraschino cherry
Instructions
- Step 1: Place 0.25 oz pure maple syrup and 3 dashes Angostura bitters into a mixing glass.
- Step 2: Add 2 oz rye whiskey and fill the glass with large ice cubes.
- Step 3: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted.
- 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 surface to release oils, then rim the glass with the peel and rest it on the edge.
- Step 6: Garnish with a maraschino cherry placed beside the peel.
Equipment for this recipe
Top-rated tools to make this recipe successfully.
Frequently asked questions
How long does Southern Illinois Maple Old Fashioned take to make?
Total time is about 5 minutes (5 min prep + 0 min cook). Most home bartenders find this fits a single afternoon; scale up the batch for parties or pitchers.
How do I store leftover Southern Illinois Maple Old Fashioned?
Refrigerate any leftover southern illinois maple old fashioned in a sealed pitcher or jar for up to 3–4 days. Do not reheat — drinks are served chilled. If the recipe uses sparkling water or fresh herbs, hold those back and add fresh just before pouring so the drink stays bright and fizzy.
Can I substitute ingredients in Southern Illinois 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 Southern Illinois 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 Southern Illinois Maple Old Fashioned?
Cocktails cocktails & drinks 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.
