Move Over, Pancakes: We're Putting Maple Syrup in Cocktails Now

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Even though the harvest season for maple syrup is late winter to early spring, it’s long been associated with the flavors of autumn, along with pumpkin, apples, and sweet potatoes. If you're looking to turn your cocktail into something fall could be proud of, take the syrup from the breakfast table to your bar. Simply replace the simple syrup in your recipe with maple syrup or try adding a drizzle to any cocktail that could benefit from a hit of maple. Then cheers yourself for fall-ifying your favorite drink.

Cocktails are often sweetened with a little simple syrup, white sugar or honey, but maple syrup can add a deeper, smokier, heady flavor to your drinks, especially if you have a flavored maple syrup. We tried a few flavors from Runamok Maple, including both their ginger- and coffee-infused syrups, though you can substitute with regular, unflavored maple syrup for a slightly different (albeit still delicious) flavor. Bourbon and rum are especially friendly towards the addition of maple syrup, because they’re darker, smokier and can handle the rich flavor of maple. But we tested a few cocktails with vodka and tequila and guess what? The results were just as good!

From a White Russian with a hint of maple and a fruity tequila cocktail reminiscent of a margarita to an extra-gingery, lightly sweetened Moscow Mule and bourbon-maple Old-Fashioned, it's a welcome addition to a variety of cocktails. Now you can channel your inner Buddy the Elf and his love of maple syrup, but instead of pouring maple syrup all over your spaghetti, try it in your favorite cocktail instead. Here are a few of our favorite ways to pair it.

Triple-Ginger Moscow Mule

Combine 1 oz. Ginger Maple Syrup with 1½ oz. ginger liqueur and 1 oz. vodka. Add ¾ oz. fresh lime juice and stir to combine. Serve over ice; top cocktail with ginger beer to taste.

Wardrobe Malfunction

Combine 1½ oz. tequila with 1 oz. guava juice, ½ oz. Ginger Maple Syrup and ½ oz. fresh lime juice. Stir to combine and serve well-chilled, or over ice. Yields 1 serving.

Recipe adapted from Runamok Maple

The Dude

Combine 2 oz. Coffee-Infused Maple Syrup with 5 oz. vodka and 3 oz. cream. Stir to combine and add ice. Yields 2 servings.

Recipe adapted from Runamok Maple

Maple-Cherry Old-Fashioned

Combine 2 oz. bourbon with ½ oz. Bourbon Barrel-Aged Maple Syrup. Add 1-2 dashes of Angostora bitters. Pour 1 tsp. maraschino cherry syrup (from jar) and stir to fully combine. Serve in an old-fashioned glass over ice. Garnish with orange peel and maraschino cherries.