Maple Bacon Old Fashioned To Try Cocktail Recipe
A sweet-and-smoky twist on the classic Old Fashioned using pure maple syrup and (optional) bacon fat–washed bourbon, finished with a crispy bacon garnish.
Equipment
- Rocks glass
- Mixing glass or small pitcher
- Bar spoon
- Jigger
- Strainer
- Small skillet
- Fine mesh sieve
- Ice cubes
Ingredients
- 2 oz bourbon or rye whiskey bacon fat–washed if desired
- 0.25 oz pure maple syrup
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 tsp bacon fat optional, for infusing the whiskey
- 1 strip crispy bacon for garnish
- 1 pinch salt optional
- ice cubes for mixing and serving
Instructions
- Cook bacon until crisp; reserve about 1 teaspoon of bacon fat.
- To fat-wash: Combine the bacon fat with the bourbon in a jar, let sit a few hours, then freeze and strain out solids.
- In a mixing glass, add maple syrup, Angostura bitters, and the bourbon (fat-washed or regular). Add a small pinch of salt if using.
- Add ice and stir 20–30 seconds until well-chilled and diluted.
- Strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice and garnish with the crispy bacon strip.
Notes
Rye adds spice; bourbon is smoother and sweeter. Use dark, real maple syrup for richer flavor. For lighter sweetness, reduce the maple syrup slightly. Serving over one large cube keeps dilution slow and the drink clearer.