Maple Old Fashioned With Walnut Simple Syrup Recipe

Cocktail hour is about to get even sweeter. We’ve reinvented the classic old fashioned with homemade walnut simple syrup. It’s easy to make: you start by toasting walnuts to coax out their nutty flavor, then infuse them with water and, instead of refined sugar, maple syrup. Just add bourbon and orange bitters for an unforgettable drink you and your guests will love.

Maple Old Fashioned With Walnut Simple Syrup

Yield: 2 servings
Active Time: 15 minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients

For the walnut simple syrup
¼ cup walnuts
1 cup water
1 cup maple syrup

For the cocktail
4 ounces bourbon
1 ounce walnut simple syrup
3 to 4 dashes orange bitters
Orange peel
Candied spiced bacon (optional)

Instructions

Make the simple syrup
Preheat oven to 400 degrees. Place walnuts on a sheet pan and toast for 15 minutes, until dark brown and fragrant, shaking halfway through.

In a small saucepan add water, maple syrup, and walnuts. Bring to a boil, then reduce heat and simmer 5 minutes, stirring to dissolve syrup. Turn off heat and let cool; strain. Store in a sealed container in the fridge for up to one week.

Make the cocktail
In a cocktail shaker add bourbon, walnut, simple syrup, and orange bitters. Stir. Pour over a large ice cube and garnish with an orange peel and candied spiced bacon (if using), before serving.

Recipe by: Angela Gaines