Winter Spiced Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe

For the discerning drinker who prefers a spirit-forward experience over the sweetness of hot wines, the Winter Spiced Old Fashioned is the definitive seasonal cocktail. This recipe takes the template of the world's oldest cocktail—whiskey, sugar, water, and bitters—and dresses it in a warm, holiday coat. Instead of the traditional white sugar cube, we utilize high-grade maple syrup (Grade A or B for deeper flavor). The maple notes bridge the gap between the charred oak flavors of the bourbon and the festive spices. We recommend a high-rye bourbon for this drink to cut through the sweetness, or even a rye whiskey for a spicier kick. The aromatic profile is built using Angostura bitters combined with orange bitters or walnut bitters, and the drink is stirred with a cinnamon stick that slowly infuses its flavor into the liquid as you sip. Unlike shaken drinks, this must be stirred slowly over a large ice cube to achieve the perfect dilution and a silky texture. Served in a heavy-bottomed glass with an orange peel expressed over the top, it is a sophisticated, masculine drink ideal for sipping slowly by a fireplace while the snow falls outside.