Southern Illinois Maple Old Fashioned

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-20 · Updated 2026-05-20

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 recipe, ready in about 5 minutes, brings together rye whiskey, pure 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 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

The shaker and jigger we’d mix this with → Best Bar Tools for 2026: Shakers, Jiggers & Strainers Worth Buying

Instructions

1. Step 1: Place 0.25 oz pure maple syrup and 3 dashes Angostura bitters into a mixing glass.
2. Step 2: Add 2 oz rye whiskey and fill the glass with large ice cubes.
3. Step 3: Stir gently with a bar spoon for 30 seconds until well chilled and slightly diluted.
4. Step 4: Strain into a rocks glass over a single large clear ice cube.
5. 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.
6. Step 6: Garnish with a maraschino cherry placed beside the peel.