From Classic to Creative: 10 Must-Try Maple Syrup Cocktails

August 06, 2025 by

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.

Why every home bar needs 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 cozy 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 Simple Syrups (Make Cocktails Better)

Classic maple syrup cocktails

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 use maple syrup instead of basic simple syrup to give this classy sipper some interesting depth of flavor.

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 & Flavor

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 1.5 oz Bulldog gin, 0.75 oz orange juice, 0.5 oz lemon juice, 0.5 oz 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 oodles 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 2 oz vanilla vodka, 2 oz coffee liqueur, and 1 oz maple syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake to combine, strain into the prepared serving glass, pour in 2 oz heavy cream, and garnish with a pinch of cinnamon on top before serving. Decadent to the core!

5. Maple Whiskey Sour

Here’s a fall cocktail idea with plenty of retro charm. The OG Whiskey Sour is a total classic, but this twist on the original is all sorts of lush. To make a Maple Whiskey Sour, add 2 oz Wild Turkey Bourbon 101 and one egg white to a cocktail shaker without ice, and dry shake until frothy. Then add 1 oz freshly squeezed lemon juice, 0.75 oz maple syrup, two dashes of bitters, and a handful of ice to the shaker. Shake until cool and strain into a serving glass over fresh ice to serve.

Creative cocktail recipes with maple syrup

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 2 oz Espolòn Tequila Blanco, 0.75 oz Grand Marnier, 1 oz maple syrup, and 1 oz 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 3 oz club soda.

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 0.75 oz Bulldog Gin. 0.75 oz apple brandy, 0.75 oz herbal liqueur (e.g., Bénédictine D.O.M), 0.5 oz apricot brandy, and 0.25 oz maple syrup to a cocktail shaker with ice. Shake until cold, then 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 1.75 oz Wild Turkey 101 Rye, 0.75 oz fresh lemon juice, 0.5 oz maple syrup, 2 dashes of bitters, and an egg white to a cocktail shaker. Dry shake, 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 0.5 oz apple brandy, 0.5 oz Appleton Estate rum, 0.5 oz dark rum, 0.5 oz herbal liqueur, 0.25 oz 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 1.5 oz Wray & Nephew overproof rum, 0.5 oz Amaro Averna, 0.5 oz falernum, 1 oz fresh lime juice, and 0.5 oz 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 & Flavorful Simple Syrup Variations for Cocktails (Quick & Tasty Recipes)

Pro pairing tips for home mixologists

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. 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-flavored drinks.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

Yes! Maple syrup adds richer, earthier notes than simple syrup, making your drinks taste layered and luxe. Just remember it’s thicker, so a quick shake with ice or pre-diluting into a maple syrup mix can help it blend seamlessly.

Go for pure, Grade A dark maple syrup. Its bold, robust flavor shines in cocktails, balancing spirits and citrus beautifully. Skip blended or artificial versions – they lack the complexity that makes maple syrup so special in mixology.

Keep maple syrup sealed and in the fridge after opening to maintain freshness. It’s a natural product, so refrigeration helps prevent spoilage and keeps those rich flavors intact for every pour.

Absolutely. Maple syrup works like a charm in mocktails, iced teas, and sparkling waters. Its depth adds sophistication without alcohol, making it a go-to sweetener for zero-proof creations.