Smoked Maple Old Fashioned
Last month the RJ Whyte team hosted a party at our headquarters here in DC for our industry friends and vendors. When putting together the list of drinks for the menu we picked out a few that are tried and true to entertaining, the Aperol Spritz and Moscow Mule. Both are easy to make and guaranteed crowd pleasers.
When we were thinking about hosting for the upcoming holidays, we knew we wanted to branch out and try something new. We wanted these drinks to be outside of the norm and have a little flair. That thought has inspired our new series! Our hope is that you find a new cocktail to add to your entertaining repertoire.
Partnering with Cocktail Curations for the month of October, we chose the Smoked Maple Old Fashioned. It is our fall spin on a very classic cocktail. Old Fashioned cocktails are like chocolate chip cookies in that everyone likes theirs made a certain way. For this recipe we chose to add a maple simple syrup which gives this beverage a warmth and sweetness that makes it perfect to sip on a chilly fall evening. While the smoke adds a great essence to the drink.
To make this beverage you’ll need these ingredients:
Bourbon – Bib & Tucker was our bourbon of choice but we encourage you to use whichever you like the most. Or if you’re not a bourbon drinker then see below for a Choose Your Own Adventure experience.
Bitters – Black Walnut bitters combine notes of cocoa and cola with an aroma reminiscent of sour cherry, this will add a subtle sweet finish to the drink.
Maple Simple Syrup - Maple simple syrup is much more interesting than sugar as it brings out the warm, rich caramel flavors in the bourbon.
Applewood Smoking Chips, Cinnamon Sticks, Rosemary, Cloves, Star Anise - You can really get creative in what you add to the smoking chips! We chose rosemary, cinnamon, cloves and star anise to add to the aromatics. Once the smoke has dissipated the scent lingers in the glass which enhances the drinking experience.
Dehydrated or Fresh Orange (optional): Why not add a little flair to the drink?
Ice: We love a large sphere of ice in the middle of our Old Fashioned. It takes longer for a large piece to melt which slows the dilution of the drink. If you are interested in making clear ice like Thy and Nicole check out this gadget on Amazon.
Smoked Maple Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe
Learn how to make an old-fashioned cocktail with a twist with this recipe!
INGREDIENTS:
2 oz bourbon
½ oz maple simple syrup*
3 dashes black walnut bitters
Measure out all liquid ingredients into mixing glass over ice and stir.
For smoke wash: in a fire safe dish, add applewood smoking chips, cinnamon and rosemary and burn with a torch until they ignite. Place your glass over the fire to smolder the flame and allow the smoke to wash the glass.
Flip the glass over, add ice, and strain the cocktail into the glass. Garnish with a dehydrated or fresh orange wheel.
*To make simple syrup, simply bring equal parts water and maple syrup to a boil, and stir until the syrup has dissolved.
CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE
A note on the spirit in an Old Fashioned. Though whiskey is generally associated with the drink, other spirits can be used. Rum and brandy are popular choices as are tequila and mezcal. We definitely recommend trying our Old Fashioned recipe but feel free to experiment with the spirit, the bitters and even the sweetener. Choose wisely, my friends!
ABOUT THIS SERIES
RJ Whyte Event Productions is partnering with Cocktail Curations to bring you monthly recipes that can be made at home or for your own parties! Cocktail Curations produces beautifully crafted cocktail bars for private and corporate events. With a combined mastery in mixology, culinary arts, spirits and events experiences, the founders of Cocktail Curations, Thy and Nicole, take pride in elevating bar services with thoughtfully curated beverages.