History

Local distilleries (Mad River, Smugglers' Notch, Whistlepig in Shoreham) and bartenders folded maple into the canonical American cocktail through the 2000s; the Vermont Maple Old Fashioned is now the default cocktail on Burlington bar menus that lean into local product. The Whiskey Room and Juniper at Hotel Vermont both run versions.

Make it at home

Yield Serves 1Hands-on 5 minTotal 5 minDifficulty Easy

Ingredients

  • 60ml bourbon (a 100-proof bottled-in-bond bourbon stands up to the maple) or rye whiskey
  • 1 teaspoon pure Vermont maple syrup (Grade A Amber Rich or Dark Robust)
  • 2 dashes Angostura aromatic bitters
  • 1 dash orange bitters
  • 1 large ice cube (5cm square)
  • 1 strip orange peel (no pith)
  • 1 maple-soaked bing cherry, to garnish

Method

  1. Combine maple syrup, both bitters and a small splash of bourbon in a chilled mixing glass or rocks glass; stir to dissolve.
  2. Add the remaining bourbon and a few small ice cubes; stir 20 seconds to chill and dilute slightly.
  3. Strain into a chilled rocks glass over the large ice cube.
  4. Express the orange peel skin-down over the glass to release the oils, rub around the rim, and drop in.
  5. Garnish with the maple-soaked cherry.

Tip from the editors. Substitute Whistlepig 10-year rye for the canonical Vermont version; skip the orange bitters if you only stock Angostura, the maple carries the drink.

This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.

Where to eat vermont maple old fashioned

Vermont maple old fashioned in Burlington

The Whiskey Room ★ 4.4

Whiskey barchurch-street-marketplaceDaily 17:00-late

Speakeasy-style whiskey bar inside the Ri Ra Irish Pub building; old-bank room with dark wood and a fireplace. Deep American and Scotch lists on the menu.

Signature drink: Whiskey flights from a 100-plus-bottle list

Food: Tapas menu, beer and cocktails on the side

123 Church St, Burlington, VT 05401

Drink ★ 4.5

church-street-marketplaceUntil Sun-Thu 00:00, Fri-Sat 02:00

Cocktails to 02:00 Fri-Sat across from City Hall Park. The late-night spot for a real cocktail downtown; board games on tables and rotating seasonal.

Try: Cocktails until late, board games

135 St Paul St, Burlington, VT 05401

More cities are in research. Want vermont maple old fashioned covered somewhere specific? Tell us where you want to eat.

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