bourbon barrel aged maple syrup

Upgrade Your Old Fashioned: The Toronto Cocktail 🏎️💨

If the Old Fashioned is your daily driver, consider The Toronto your high-performance muscle car. It’s got more torque, more grip, and a bold flavor profile that demands your attention!

In Episode 55 of Thirsty Thursday Cocktails, Rebecca breaks down this sophisticated “Bitter Old Fashioned.” Originally appearing in 1948, this classic cocktail swaps standard bitters and sugar for the powerhouse punch of Fernet-Branca and the rich, smoky depth of Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup.

We’re putting a unique twist on the original by using Old Grand-Dad 114. This high-rye bourbon (27% rye mashbill) brings the heat of a rye whiskey, while its signature “peanut and vanilla” sweetness acts as a silencer, perfectly taming the medicinal notes of the Fernet.

In this video, you’ll learn:

Why Fernet-Branca is the “seasoning” your home bar needs.

How to use maple syrup as a bridge between Kentucky bourbon and Canadian history.

The secret to balancing herbaceous “snap” with rich, coating sweetness.

Stay tuned until the end for the full tasting notes—from the bright orange oil nose to the dry, minty finish that will leave you wanting another sip.

🔔 Subscribe for more Thirsty Thursday cocktails! Next week, we’re kicking off our Valentine’s Day series with romantic sips you won’t want to miss.

🥃 The Recipe: The Toronto

2 oz High-Rye Bourbon (Old Grand-Dad 114)

1/4 oz Fernet-Branca

1/4 oz Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup

2 Dashes Angostura Bitters

Garnish: Large Orange Twist

Preparation: Combine ingredients in a mixing glass with plenty of ice. Stir for 20-30 seconds until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe or a rocks glass over one large clear ice cube. Express the orange peel over the drink and drop it in.

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NOTE: The spirits and items in this review were purchased by us. We were not compensated by the producers for this review. Please drink responsibly.

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In episode 10 of Thirsty Thursday Bourbon Cocktails, we present the Maple Habanero Sour cocktail recipe. This spicy cocktail is a complex and exciting sensory experience. This easy Maple Habanero Sour Recipe is made with Russells Reserve 10, bourbon barrel aged maple syrup, fresh lemon juice, habanero bitters, and black walnut bitters.

🍁 SWEETNESS: The first sensation is often the rich, warm sweetness of maple syrup. This sweetness coats the palate, providing an inviting first impression.

🍋 CITRUS ZEST: Quickly following the maple, the tartness of the lemon juice cuts through the sweetness. This provides a refreshing, zesty counterpoint. The habanero’s heat emerges gradually. It’s not always an immediate, overwhelming burn, but rather a slow, warming sensation that builds.

🌶️ SUBTLE HEAT: Habanero peppers have a distinct fruity quality, so the heat is often accompanied by subtle floral or tropical notes.

🎆 FLAVOR FUSION: The interplay between the sweet, sour, and spicy elements creates a layered flavor profile. The maple syrup and citrus work to balance the habanero’s heat, while the habanero adds depth and complexity to the sweet-and-sour base.

🥰 FINISH: The finish can linger, with the warmth of the habanero remaining on the tongue. The sweetness of the maple may also persist, leaving a pleasant aftertaste.

🎉 The overall experience is a delightful dance of contrasting flavors. It’s a cocktail that stimulates multiple taste receptors, offering a balance of sweet, sour, and spicy that can be both refreshing and invigorating.

RECIPE

Maple🍁Habanero🌶️Sour🍋

2 oz of bourbon
.5 oz of barrel aged maple syrup
.5 oz of lemon juice (freshly squeezed, if possible)
3 dashes of habanero bitters (for the heat)
3 dashes black walnut bitters (added depth)
5 dashes of Fee Foam (or one egg white)
Dry shake 15-20 seconds
Add ice and shake 15-20 seconds
Pour into cocktail glass with an ice ball/block
Garnish with 1 dash of black pepper & 1 dried lemon slice

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