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Maple–Black Walnut Old Fashioned

Maple–Black Walnut Old Fashioned

Published September 28, 2026

Stirred bourbon cocktail with maple syrup, black walnut bitters, and orange, served over ice with a walnut garnish.

Chill the rocks glass with ice or cold water before serving; discard the ice and water just before straining the drink. Stir, do not shake—shaking aerates the drink and creates unwanted dilution for this spirit-forward cocktail.

Black walnut bitters are distinctive; if unavailable, substitute 1 dash of Angostura and 1 dash of Peychaud's bitters for a more traditional Old Fashioned profile. The orange twist releases oils over the surface of the drink; express it over the glass by twisting the peel, then drop it in or set it on the rim.

Cook time
5 min
Rating
…

Ingredients

Scale
Measurement units
  • 2 oz bourbon whiskey
  • ½ oz maple syrup (pure maple syrup)
  • 2 dashes black walnut bitters
  • 1 dash Angostura bitters
  • 1 orange
  • 1 large cube or 3–4 regular cubes ice (for serving)
  • 1 whole or halved black walnuts (for garnish)

Instructions

Prepare the glass and ice
Fill the rocks glass with ice and cold water; set aside to chill while you prepare the drink.
Equipment: mixing glass, rocks glass (10–12 oz)
Build the cocktail in the mixing glass
Fill the mixing glass with ice.
Pour bourbon whiskey (2 ounce) into the mixing glass.
Add maple syrup (½ ounce) to the mixing glass.
Add 2 dashes black walnut bitters (2 dashes) and 1 dash Angostura bitters (1 dash).
Equipment: mixing glass, cocktail strainer, rocks glass (10–12 oz)
Stir and chill
Stir continuously with a bar spoon for 30 seconds to chill the mixture and achieve proper dilution.
Equipment: bar spoon
Strain and serve
Empty the chilled rocks glass of its ice and water.
Strain the cocktail from the mixing glass into the rocks glass using a cocktail strainer.
Add 1 large cube of ice or 3–4 regular cubes to the glass.
Equipment: mixing glass, cocktail strainer, rocks glass (10–12 oz)
Garnish and finish
Cut a strip of peel from 1 orange using a channel knife or vegetable peeler, avoiding the white pith.
Express the orange peel over the drink by twisting it to release oils, then drop it into the glass or set it on the rim.
Place 1 black walnut on the rim or float it in the drink as garnish.
Equipment: channel knife or vegetable peeler, mixing glass, rocks glass (10–12 oz)

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