Stirred Maple Black Pepper Bourbon
A sophisticated bourbon cocktail where maple syrup's sweetness balances the smoky heat of freshly cracked black pepper, creating a layered finish. This recipe, ready in about 5 minutes, brings together bourbon, maple syrup, fresh lemon juice 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 bourbon
- 1/2 oz maple syrup
- 1/4 oz fresh lemon juice
- 2 dashes black pepper bitters
- 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper
- as needed ice
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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: In a mixing glass, add 2 oz bourbon, 1/2 oz maple syrup, 1/4 oz fresh lemon juice, 2 dashes black pepper bitters, and 1/2 tsp freshly ground black pepper. Stir with ice for 20 seconds until well-chilled and the pepper is infused.
- Step 2: Strain into a chilled rocks glass filled with a single large ice cube. Garnish with a lemon twist.
