Maple Old Fashioned Cocktail

One of the things I love about living in Minnesota is the changing seasons. Sure, we get the bone-chilling cold in the winter (and I’m one of the first to complain about it, loudly), but we also get these amazing, distinct seasons that truly make you appreciate Mother Nature. It’s also a great excuse to change up your wardrobe. Back into the closet go the tank tops and shorts and out come the plaid shirts and cozy sweaters to keep us warm on those chilly autumn evenings.

My taste in cocktails changes this time of year, too. Gone are the light and bubbly drinks of warmer weather (although I believe tequila is never out of season), and in come the darker, heavier drinks that warm me from the inside out, like this Maple Old Fashioned Cocktail.

A couple of twists - grapefruit juice and maple syrup - give this cocktail a decidedly different spin than your traditional Old Fashioned recipe, but different is still very tasty in this case. The sour citrus flavor is mellowed by the sweet syrup. Add a few dashes of bitters and your bourbon of choice, and you have an utterly sippable cocktail that will keep you toasty all season long.