Real maple syrup replaces the sugar.

Why you are pouring this tonight

The Maple Old Fashioned is the autumn Old Fashioned. Bourbon, real maple syrup in place of demerara, three dashes of Angostura, expressed orange peel and a cinnamon stick to garnish. Sweeter than the original, slightly more aromatic, more like a campfire in October than a porch in July. The drink for a Sunday in May when the eucalypts are starting to turn and the days are getting noticeably shorter.

Real Canadian or Vermont maple syrup, never the supermarket “maple-flavoured pancake syrup” which is corn syrup with caramel colour. Grade A medium amber is the right one. Use a sturdy bourbon (Wild Turkey 101 carries the maple beautifully, Knob Creek if you want a softer version). Stir for forty seconds in a mixing glass, strain over a single big rock, expressed orange peel skin-down, cinnamon stick laid across the top. Pair with apple crumble, blue cheese, autumn cheese plates.

What changes from the Old Fashioned

Simple syrup becomes Grade A maple syrup (the darker the better). Often paired with a walnut bitters dash in place of orange bitters.

What to pour it alongside

Pork belly, duck breast, apple tarte tatin. Rich, slightly sweet foods where maple makes sense.

The recipe