The Old Fashioned is already one of the best drinks ever made. The maple version takes it somewhere warmer and richer — maple syrup instead of sugar, same bitters, same ritual. Here's the non-alcoholic version.
What You Need
- 2 oz No. 86 Non-Alcoholic Whiskey
- ½ teaspoon real maple syrup (Grade B or dark — more flavor)
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters (All the Bitter makes a great non-alcoholic version)
- 1 dash orange bitters (optional)
- Large ice cube
- Rocks glass
- Orange twist and a strip of orange peel to garnish
How to Make It
- Add maple syrup and bitters to your rocks glass. Stir briefly to combine — maple is thick and needs a moment to loosen.
- Add a large ice cube.
- Pour No. 86 over the ice.
- Stir for 20 seconds with a bar spoon — slow circles, chilling and integrating without over-diluting.
- Express an orange twist over the glass (hold the peel skin-side down over the drink and squeeze — you'll see the oil spray). Drop the twist in or rest it on the rim.
The Maple
Grade B (now labeled "Grade A Dark Color, Robust Taste") has more maple character than lighter grades — it's what you want here. The syrup should taste strongly of maple, not just sweetness. A little goes a long way: half a teaspoon is enough. More than that and it becomes dessert.
Why This Works With No. 86
No. 86's oak and vanilla notes are in the same flavor neighborhood as maple — warm, woody, slightly sweet. The maple syrup amplifies what's already there rather than competing with it. The result is a deeper, more autumnal version of the classic Old Fashioned.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use maple-flavored syrup instead of real maple?
No. Maple-flavored syrups are mostly corn syrup with artificial flavoring — the taste is hollow and too sweet. Real maple syrup has depth that artificial versions can't replicate. It's worth the extra cost.
What's the difference between this and a regular Old Fashioned?
Just the sweetener. Real maple brings a woodsy, caramel depth that plain sugar doesn't. The structure is identical — spirit, sweet, bitters, ice, citrus. Here's the classic Old Fashioned recipe.
Can I add a smoked element?
Yes — a few drops of liquid smoke or a smoked salt rim pairs well with the maple. Keep the smoke subtle; it should accent, not dominate.
Warmer. Richer. Worth the upgrade.
No. 86 and real maple syrup — the Old Fashioned for fall and winter evenings.
→ Shop No. 86 — from $35.99
Make this recipe with No. 86 non-alcoholic whiskey — built for cocktails like this one.