National Cocktail Day takes place each year on March 24th. It’s a day that we like to celebrate our favorite and most popular cocktails—the classic cocktails you’ll almost always find on our menu at the Burlington Tasting Room. From Old Fashioned riffs to Manhattans and a Rum Punch, these are the great options to sit back and sip on as you celebrate this holiday (or any day, for that matter).

Classic Cocktails at Mad River Distillers

MAPLE CASK RUM OLD FASHIONED
Ingredients:
-2 oz. of Maple Cask Rum
-½ oz. of simple syrup
-2-3 dashes of Blackstrap Bittercube Bitters
-orange twist for garnish

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice and stir. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Add an orange twist as garnish.

BOURBON OLD FASHIONED
Ingredients:
-2 oz. of Bourbon Whiskey
-1/2 oz. of simple syrup
-1 dash of orange bitters
-1 dash of Angostura Bitters
-orange twist garnish

Directions:
In a mixing glass, add all ingredients with ice. Stir for about 15-20 seconds. Strain contents into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Add an orange twist for garnish.

MAPLE BOURBON SOUR
Ingredients:
-2 oz. of Bourbon Whiskey
-1 oz. of Vermont Maple Syrup
-1 oz. of lemon juice
-4 dashes of Angostura Bitters

Directions:
Combine all ingredients, except the Angostura bitters, in a shaker over ice. Shake briefly. Strain contents into a double old fashioned glass (or a rocks glass). Garnish with 4 dashes of Angostura Bitters on top.

ESPRESSO MARTINI
Ingredients:
-1.5 oz. of Vanilla Rum
-¼ oz. of Vermont Maple Syrup
-½ oz. of Metcalfe’s Maple Creme Liqueur
-2 oz. of cold brew coffee

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake for about 8-10 seconds. Strain contents into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with grated cinnamon or cocoa.

RYE MANHATTAN
Ingredients:
-2 oz. of Revolution Rye 
-1 oz. of Sweet Vermouth
-2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
-1 Luxardo Cherry for garnish

Directions:
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well, then strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with a Luxardo cherry.

RUM PUNCH

*Note: This recipe incorporates all of our rums and makes a batch big enough to share with guests!

Ingredients:
-1 container of Newman’s Own Orange Mango Tango
-3 oz. of Rum 44
-3 oz. of First Run Rum
-1 oz. of Vanilla Rum
-1 oz. of Maple Cask Rum
-1 oz. of PX Rum
-1 oz. of Angostura Bitters
-1 oz. of lime juice
-1.5 oz. of lemon juice
-12 dashes of Grapefruit Bitters

Directions:
In a large glass jar or pitcher, combine all ingredients. Give the ingredients a gentle shake, then store in the refrigerator overnight. When ready to serve, pur into a tall glass filled with ice, then garnish with a lime wedge.

If you’re not able to join us to order one of the cocktails above from our Burlington Tasting Room, you can easily shake one up from home. You can also pick up many of the supplies you need—such as our spirits, bitters and barware—from the retail section of our Tasting Room. Visit our Buy page to see where you can purchase one of our spirits online or at a location near you. Lastly, be sure to check out the recipe section of our website If you want even more cocktail ideas. Cheers!

Written and published by Brianne Lucas on March 14, 2023