Fat Tuesday, that day when Christians eat anything and everything they want to before the start of the long fasting period ending at Easter, is today. We are also in sugaring season, that time of year when the sap from maple trees is collected and turned into maple syrup. (Expect more recipes using maple syrup in the next few posts!)
While Tuesdays are not my usual cocktail posting days, I have the perfect recipe that combines elements from these two diverse events into one drink! This smash uses maple syrup to sweeten bourbon, the namesake of the street at the heart of the New Orleans’ Mardi Gras tourist district.
A smash is a cocktail containing a few basic elements: a spirit base, an herb, a sweetener, seasonal fruit, ice, and sometimes a splash of water. This drink fits that basic outline: bourbon is the spirit, maple syrup serves as the sweetener, the bitters are the herb, and orange juice & some orange slices count as the fruit. Onto the drink!
Maple Bourbon Smash
Makes one drink
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce pure maple syrup
- 1 ounce orange juice
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- 3 ounces bourbon
- 1 1/2 ounces club soda or seltzer water
- orange slices, if desired
Directions:
In a rocks glass, combine the maple syrup with the orange juice, lemon juice and bitters. Add an orange wheel and lightly muddle, if desired. Add the bourbon to the glass and stir well. Fill the glass with ice and top with the chilled seltzer. Garnish with 1/2 an orange wheel, if desired.
Maple and bourbon mix well together!
Celebrate Fat Tuesday with some bourbon & maple syrup! ~Linda
Maple-Bourbon Smash (adapted from foodandwine.com)
Makes one drink
Ingredients:
- 1 ounce pure maple syrup
- 1 ounce orange juice
- 1/2 ounce lemon juice
- 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- 3 ounces bourbon
- 1 1/2 ounces club soda or seltzer
- orange slices, if desired
Directions:
In a rocks glass, combine the maple syrup with the orange juice, lemon juice and bitters. Add an orange wheel and lightly muddle, if desired. Add the bourbon to the glass and stir well. Fill the glass with ice and top with the chilled seltzer. Garnish with 1/2 an orange wheel, if desired.