10 Must-Try Maple Syrup Cocktails
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Maple syrup cocktails are having a major moment, and we’re here for it. This pancake-loving classic is a total game-changer behind the bar, adding delicious depth to clinkers of all kinds. It also plays beautifully with big personalities like Wild Turkey 101, SKYY Vodka, Appleton Estate rum, and Bulldog Gin, elevating both classics and modern twists.
Ready to shake things up? We’ve got 10 stellar recipes for cocktails with maple syrup to level up your drinks to gourmet status, from iconic sips to fresh, inventive pours.
The sweet secret of maple syrup
Whether you’re stirring a strong sipper or shaking something tall and zesty, maple syrup adds a warm complexity that’s equally perfect for cosy nights and fancy hosting occasions. It’s rich, earthy, and works wonders in natural sweetener cocktails without overpowering other elements.
Pro tip: The best maple syrup for cocktails is pure, Grade A dark maple syrup that’s rich, velvety, and kissed with deep caramel notes. Feeling crafty? Whip up a homemade cocktail syrup for maple syrup mixology moments by simmering equal parts syrup and water for easy pouring and effortless blending.
Go pro: The Complete Guide to Sugar Syrups (Make Cocktails Better)
Maple syrup cocktail favourites
1. Maple Old Fashioned
If you had to choose one bourbon maple syrup cocktail to rule them all, the Maple Old Fashioned would be a good place to start. Follow our classic Old Fashioned recipe with Wild Turkey Bourbon 101, and simply use maple syrup instead of basic sugar syrup to give this classy sipper some interesting depth of flavour.
2. Maple Brown Derby
If you like the idea of bourbon maple cocktails with a bit of zest in the mix, the Maple Brown Derby is where it’s at. This riff on the classic Derby cocktail subs maple syrup for the original honey syrup, taking it in a subtly different, but equally compelling direction.
Learn more: 12 Honey Syrup Cocktails that Zing with Sweetness & Flavour
3. Old Vermont
This gin maple syrup cocktail is a sleeper hit just waiting to burst onto the scene with big fanfare. To make, add 45 ml Bulldog gin, 20 ml orange juice, 15 ml lemon juice, 15 ml maple syrup, and 2 dashes of bitters to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until frosty and strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with an orange twist and serve.
4. Maple White Russian
On the lookout for maple vodka drinks that come to the party with bucketloads of laid-back swagger? Then you’ve got to try this rendition of The Dude-approved White Russian. Start by rimming a serving glass with maple syrup and cinnamon sugar.
Next, add 60 ml vanilla vodka, 60 ml coffee liqueur, and 30 ml maple syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to combine, strain into the prepared serving glass, pour in 60 ml heavy cream, and garnish with a pinch of cinnamon on top before serving. Decadent to the core!
5. Maple Paloma
An autumn cocktail idea with a little Mexican arriba in the mix? Yes please! Follow our go-to Paloma recipe and simply add a dash of maple syrup to the mix (15 ml should do it). That sweet, earthy twist smooths out the citrus edge and layers in a cosy depth that turns this zesty classic into a seasonal stunner.
Creative maple syrup cocktails
6. Maple Margarita
Love a tequila moment? Then the Maple Margarita’s right up your alley! Start by rimming a serving glass with lime juice and coarse salt. Next, add 60 ml Espolòn Tequila Blanco, 20 ml Grand Marnier, 30 ml maple syrup, and 30 ml lime juice to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until frosty and strain into a serving glass over fresh ice. Garnish with a lime wheel.
TOP TIP: To lower the ABV on this sensational sipper, turn it into a Sparkling Maple Margarita by serving it in a tall glass over ice and adding 12 ml soda water.
7. Mule’s Hind Leg
Using maple in craft cocktails like the Mule’s Hind Leg is a great way to up your DIY cocktail game at home. To make, add 20 ml Bulldog Gin, 20 ml apple brandy, 20 ml herbal liqueur (e.g., Bénédictine D.O.M), 20 ml apricot brandy, and 10 ml maple syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until cold and strain into a chilled serving glass.
Also see: Apple Pie Cocktail | Apple Pie Moonshine | Spiced Apple Cider
8. Beretta’s Rattlesnake
For sweetened cocktails with a bit of bite, we suggest the rye-based Beretta’s Rattlesnake. To make, add 50 ml Wild Turkey 101 Rye, 20 ml fresh lemon juice, 15 ml maple syrup, 2 dashes of bitters, and an egg white to a cocktail shaker. Dry shake, then add ice, and shake until frosty. Decant into a chilled serving glass.
9. Expense Account
This brandy maple syrup cocktail has a long list of ingredients but comes together like a well-composed song. To make, add 15 ml apple brandy, 15 ml Appleton Estate rum, 15 ml dark rum, 15 ml herbal liqueur, 10 ml maple syrup, two dashes of orange bitters, and 2 dashes of absinthe to a cocktail shaker with ice. Stir well and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with an orange twist to serve.
10. Drunken Helmsman
Looking for a rum maple syrup cocktail that’s a tad debaucherous, but always epic? Step right up. To make a Drunken Helmsman, add 45 ml Wray & Nephew overproof rum, 15 ml Amaro Averna, 15 ml falernum, 30 ml fresh lime juice, and 15 ml maple syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until frosty and strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with an orange twist and a sprig of mint to serve.
Learn more: Easy & Flavourful Sugar Syrup Variations for Cocktails (Quick & Tasty Recipes)
Pairing tips for maple syrup
When it comes to using maple syrup in cocktails, we like to lean into partnerships that pop. Bourbon and maple? A soulful duo. Brandy or rum? Smooth and sultry. Gin? Herbaceous magic. This is where maple syrup and spirits become best friends.
Balance sweetness with citrus or lean into herbal, smoky or spiced profiles for next-level seasonal cocktails. Garnishes seal the deal. Think cinnamon sticks, orange twists or even a brûléed pear slice. Remember, the key is to play with contrast and harmony, so experiment boldly.
Well, now you know! These 10 maple syrup cocktail recipes should offer plenty of inspiration to get you excited behind the shaker. Remember to sign up for our newsletter to stay in the mix, and visit the Wild Turkey, Bulldog, Appleton Estate, and SKYY websites to stock up on epic bases for your maple-flavoured drinks.
