Join Mad River Distillers on Friday, November 17, 2023 at Jordan's Liquors in East Providence, RI. There will be complimentary tastings from our line of spirits between 3:00pm - 7:00pm. Feel free to ask questions! Bottles will be available for purchase.
MRD Tasting at Empire Wine & Liquor
Join Mad River Distillers on Sunday, November 12, 2023 at Empire Wine & Liquor in Albany, NY. There will be complimentary tastings from our line of spirits between 12:00pm - 3:00pm. Feel free to ask questions! Bottles will be available for purchase.
Stevie's Wine & Spirits Holiday Tasting
Join Mad River Distillers on Saturday, November 11, 2023 at Stevie's Wine & Spirits in Fairhaven, MA for their holiday tasting event. There will be complimentary tastings from our line of spirits, as well as several other distilleries, wineries, and breweries between 1:00pm - 4:00pm. Bottles will be available for purchase. We hope to see you there!
MRD Tasting at Bottle Stop in Avon, CT
Join Mad River Distillers on Friday, November 10, 2023 at the Bottle Stop Wine & Spirit Superstore in Avon, CT. There will be complimentary tastings from our line of spirits between 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Feel free to ask questions! Bottles will be available for purchase.
MRD Tasting at Clift's Liquors in Riverside, RI
Join Mad River Distillers on Friday, November 10, 2023 at Clift's Liquors in Riverside, RI. There will be complimentary tastings from our line of spirits between 4:00pm - 7:00pm. Feel free to ask questions! Bottles will be available for purchase.
Julio's Liquors Whisk(e)y Road Show 2023
Join Mad River Distillers on Saturday, November 4, 2023 from 6:00pm - 8:00 pm at Julio's Liquors in Westborough, MA. We will be joined by over 40 other distilleries and distributors. Tickets are $40 and include a $30 Julio's gift card and tasting glass. We will be offering tastings and bottle sales from our line of spirits. Tickets can be purchased at https://juliosliquors.com/events?event-id=6525819113d9162bfa0243c2. We hope to see you there!
Nejaime's Open House Holiday Tasting
Join Mad River Distillers on Saturday, November 4, 2023 at the Nejaime's Wine Cellars in Lenox, MA. There will be complimentary tastings from our line of spirits between 1:00pm - 5:00pm. Feel free to ask questions! Bottles will be available for purchase.
MRD Tasting at Wines & More in Mansfield, MA
Join Mad River Distillers on Friday, November 3, 2023 at the Wines & More in Mansfield, MA. There will be complimentary tastings from our line of spirits between 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Feel free to ask questions! Bottles will be available for purchase.
MRD Tasting at Route 7 Liquor & Deli in Shelburne
Join Mad River Distillers on Friday, November 3rd at the Route 7 Liquor and Deli in Shelburne, VT. There will be complimentary tastings from our line of spirits between 4:00pm - 6:00pm. Feel free to ask questions! Bottles will be available for purchase.
MRD Tasting at Wise Old Dog in West Hartford
Join Mad River Distillers on Friday, November 3rd at the Wise Old Dog in West Hartford, CT. There will be complimentary tastings from our line of spirits between 4:00pm - 6:30pm. Feel free to ask questions! Bottles will be available for purchase.
MRD Tasting at The Den Wine and Spirits
Join Mad River Distillers on Friday, November 3rd at The Den Wine and Spirits in Providence, RI. There will be complimentary tastings from our line of spirits between 4:00pm - 7:00pm. Feel free to ask questions! Bottles will be available for purchase.
Mad River Cocktail Competition and Costume Party at The Industrial Cocktail Bar
Drink features and prizes by Mad River Distillers!
Burnt Rock Bourbon Cocktail Recipes
Burnt Rock Bourbon was an accidental experiment that turned very right. Our head distiller, Al Hilton, had an idea one day to smoke barley over maple wood, and add it to a Bourbon mash. With a combination of 70% Corn, 15% Rye, and 15% Smoked Barley, the 92 proof Burnt Rock Bourbon explodes with flavor and spice, with just a touch of smoke.
When it was first released, Burnt Rock Bourbon was a seasonal offering. It became quite popular, and bottles always sold quickly. We are proud to now offer this spirit year-round. Like many of our spirits, Burnt Rock Bourbon can be enjoyed straight, or in a cocktail. The distinctive flavor adds a slightly smoky spin to any cocktail recipe.
Below are some Burnt Rock Bourbon cocktail recipes you can try from home:
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-2 oz. of Burnt Rock Bourbon
-1/2 oz. of honey simple syrup
-2 droppers of 18.21 Earl Grey Bitters
-1 lemon and 1 orange twist
Instructions:
In a mixing glass with ice, stir the Burnt Rock Bourbon with honey syrup and Earl Grey Bitters. Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Twist both an orange and a lemon peel over the glass, then rub each citrus around the rim of the glass before adding to the drink.
To make a Honey Simple Syrup:
Heat one part water with one part honey until the honey is fully integrated, then allow the syrup to cool. Store it in a refrigerator for up to one week. We recommend using local honey.
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-2 oz. of Burnt Rock Bourbon
-3/4 oz. of Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth
-3 dashes of Angostura Bitters
-Luxardo cherry garnish
Instructions:
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. Stir for 20-30 seconds. Strain and serve up in a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a Luxardo cherry.
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-2 oz. of Burnt Rock Bourbon
-1 oz. of Lemon Juice
-1 oz. of Woods Pumpkin Spice Maple Syrup
-2 dashes of Bittermens Tiki Bitters
-2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
Instructions:
Add all ingredients except Angostura Bitters in a shaker with ice. Shake well, then strain over a large ice cube in a rocks glass. Top with 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters as a float.
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-1.5 oz. of Burnt Rock Bourbon
-1 oz. of Lime Juice
-1 oz. of cinnamon syrup
-1/2 oz. of Fernet
-lime wheel garnish
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake well, then strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-1 oz. of Burnt Rock Bourbon
-1/2 oz. of Cherry Heering
-1/2 oz. of Carpano Antica
-3/4 oz. of Orange Juice
-1/4 oz. of Lemon Juice
Instructions:
Combine ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake for 8-12 seconds. Double strain into a rocks glass. Garnish with a few Luxardo cherries.
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-2 oz. of Burnt Rock Bourbon
-1/2 oz. of Vermont Maple Syrup
-1/2 oz. of Vermont Honey
-1 oz. of Lemon Juice
-4 dashes of Angostura Bitters
-1 spritz of Alice & The Magician Bonfire Smoke Mist
Instructions:
Combine the Burnt Rock Bourbon, maple syrup, honey and lemon juice in a shaker over ice. Shake briefly. Strain contents into a Double Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with 4 dashes of Angostura Bitters, and 1 spray of Alice & The Magician Bonfire Smoke mist.
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-2 oz. of Burnt Rock Bourbon
-1 oz. of Roasted Peach Syrup
-1/2 oz. of fresh lemon juice
-1/2 oz. of pineapple juice
-soda water
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients (except the soda water) in a shaker with ice. Shake well, then strain over fresh ice into a stemless wine glass. Top with soda water. Add a fresh sprig of thyme or rosemary as a garnish.
To make a Roasted Peach Syrup:
Take 3 peaches, de-core, slice into wedges, and lay in a baking pan with tall sides. Add a couple tablespoons of water to the pan, and drizzle Vermont maple syrup over the peaches. Cover and bake at 375 for 30 minutes. On your stove top, add equal parts water and sugar to a small pot, and heat to just below a simmer. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add peaches and any liquid from the baking dish into the water and sugar mixture on the stove, then cover and bring to a simmer. Remove from the heat, and allow the peaches to cool while still in the pot. Once cool, run the syrup through a cheesecloth. Keep the syrup refrigerated and consume within one week.
If you are looking to make any of the Burnt Rock Bourbon cocktail recipes above, you can find many of the ingredients at the Burlington Tasting Room, including the Burnt Rock Bourbon, maple syrup, bitters, and even Alice & The Magician Mists. If you haven’t tried this spirit yet, you can order a tasting of it at our bar. We offer a flight, which includes a tasting of 4 spirits. You can choose between our Burnt Rock Bourbon, Straight Bourbon, Revolution Rye, and all of our rums. If you’re not sure what you’ll like, our team is always on hand to offer suggestions or answer any questions. See you soon!
Written and published by Brianne Lucas on October 27, 2023. Updated October 25, 2024.
Maple Pumpkin Sour
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Maple Pumpkin Sour
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
Description
A wonderful fall cocktail incorporating a pumpkin spice maple syrup along with the smoky flavor of our Burnt Rock Bourbon.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 oz. of Burnt Rock Bourbon
- 1 oz. of lemon juice
- 1 oz. of Woods Pumpkin Spice Maple Syrup
- 2 dashes of Bittermens Tiki Bitters
- 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
Instructions
- Add all ingredients except Angostura Bitters in a shaker with ice.
- Shake well, then strain over a large ice cube in a rocks glass.
- Top with 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters as a float.
Featured Spirit
Drinks For Your Halloween Celebration
If you’re like us and love a good (and spooky) Halloween celebration, then you’re probably on the hunt for some delicious but thematic drink ideas to mark the occasion. A great Halloween drink doesn’t need to be complicated. With a clever name, delicious ingredients, and some simple decorations, you can create memorable Halloween cocktails that are sure to leave a lasting impression with your friends.
Here are some Halloween themed recipes to work into your party planning this year.
Mad River Distillers Halloween Drink Recipes
BLOOD & SAND
With a name like this, the only other reason you need to give this cocktail a try on Halloween is the unexpected ingredients.
Ingredients:
-1 oz. Burnt Rock Bourbon
-3/4 oz. orange juice
-1/2 oz. Cherry Heering
-1/2 oz. Carpano Antica Sweet Vermouth
-1/4 oz. lemon juice
-Luxardo cherry garnish
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, then shake. Strain contents over a large ice cube in a rocks glass. Garnish with a few Luxardo cherries.
PITCH BLACK
Activated charcoal is the secret behind the dark color of this incredible cocktail featuring our First Run Rum and Fernet.
Ingredients:
-1.5 oz. of First Run Rum
-1/4 oz. of Fernet Vexia (or other Fernet)
-1 oz. of Pineapple juice
-3/4 oz. of Lime juice
-3/4 oz. of simple syrup
Combine the fresh squeezed lime juice, pineapple juice, and simple syrup in a food processor. Add the activated charcoal slowly until you have your desired color. Add a hint of citric acid for more tartness, if desired. Combine the mixture above along with First Run Rum in a shaker with ice. Shake well, then strain into a rocks glass.
CURSED CAULDRON
Cauldron's make a great vessel for experimenting, and this cocktail recipe is the result of an experiment substituting gin in an Aviation cocktail with our Rum 44 (along with a couple other tasty tweaks).
Ingredients:
-2 oz. of Rum 44
-1/2 oz. of Maraschino Liqueur
-1/2 oz. of Creme de Violette
-1/2 oz. of lemon juice
-1-2 barspoons of grenadine (as desired for color)
Combine all ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake well, then strain into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with a Luxardo cherry.
BLACK MANHATTAN
They say that black cats bring bad luck, but you’ll feel just the opposite drinking this dark and flavorful cocktail.
Ingredients:
-2 oz. Revolution Rye
-1 oz. Averna Amaro
-2 dashes Angostura Bitters
-Luxardo cherry garnish
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass over ice. Stir for 8-12 seconds. Strain into a chilled coupe glass, then garnish with a Luxardo cherry.
BLOODY BELLADONNA
A drink named after the deadly nightshade, made just a bit more creepy with a red cherry drizzle.
Ingredients:
-1.5 oz. of Vanilla Rum
-1/2 oz. of Creme de Violette
-1 oz. of lime juice
-3/4 oz. of simple syrup
-2 dashes of peach bitters
-cherry juice
Combine all ingredients except the cherry juice in a shaker with ice. Shake well, then strain into a rocks glass over crushed ice. Drizzle cherry juice on top.
SMASHING PUMPKINS
This is the kind of smashed pumpkin you'll appreciate for Halloween, combining our Mad Apple Brandy with pumpkin syrup, some sweet and bitter ingredients, and a black salt rim.
Ingredients:
-1 oz. of Mad Apple Brandy
-3/4 oz. of pumpkin syrup
-1/2 oz. of Dry Curacao
-1/2 oz. of Linchpin Aperitivo (or Aperol)
-1/2 oz. of lime juice
First, rim a rocks glass with Black Obsidian Cocktail Rimming Salt. To make pumpkin syrup, add 1.5 cups of water, 1.5 cups of sugar, and 8 oz. of pumpkin puree (not pie filling) to a saucepan. Heat ingredients to just under a boil, stirring frequently. Remove from the heat, then cover and let the syrup cool. Once cooled, run through a fine mesh strainer. This can be stored in the refrigerator for up to one week. Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice, then strain into the rocks glass over a large ice cube.
SALTY WITCH
This bewitching cocktail (created by Gragen Cook) is filled to the brim with enchanting flavors.
Ingredients:
-1.5 oz. PX Rum
-1/4 oz. Green Chartreuse
-1/4 oz. Sherry
-1/4 oz. simple syrup
-1 dropper of Crude Smoke & Salt Bitters
-Luxardo cherry garnish
Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice. Stir for about 20 seconds. Strain contents into a large cordial glass, then garnish with a Luxardo cherry.
BLOOD MOON MARTINI
With a blood red color and simple ingredients, this cocktail is an easy way to serve a gory Halloween vibe.
Ingredients:
-1.5 oz. of Straight Bourbon
-1 oz. of pomegranate (or beet) juice
-1/2 oz. of lemon juice
-2 dashes of orange bitters
Combine all ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake well, then strain into a martini or coupe glass. Garnish with a slice of blood orange.
MIDNIGHT SHADOWS
A twist on an Old Fashioned and a Rum Black Manhattan combining our Maple Cask Rum with a dark amaro and dark bitters.
Ingredients:
-1.5 oz. of Maple Cask Rum
-1.5 oz. of Angostura Amaro
-1/2 oz. of Cocktail & Sons Spiced Demerara Syrup
-3 dashes Bittercube Blackstrap Bitters
Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass with ice. Stir well, then strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
CANDY CORN SHOT
Is it even Halloween without candy corn? While this is the kind of shot that requires a little planning, it’s very simple and very fitting for the holiday.
Ingredients:
-750ml bottle of Rum 44
-10 oz. candy corn
-whipped cream
To make this shot, you’ll need to plan at least a day in advance. Infuse a bottle of Rum 44 by adding 10 oz. of candy corn to the bottle. Shake the candy corn in the closed bottle every couple of hours. After it has infused for a day, the Rum 44 will have a nice orange color. Strain the rum to remove any small pieces of candy that has settled on the bottom (a cheese cloth may be preferred). Then simply pour an ounce into a shot glass, top with whipped cream, and enjoy! If you feel inclined, add a piece of candy corn as garnish.
Other red or green colored cocktails would make a great and ghoulish option with some simple decorations to accompany it. You can even give your cocktail a fun name, like taking a Kingston Negroni and renaming it a Nosferatu Negroni just for the occasion.
When it comes to Halloween, decorations are a great way to give your cocktails a creepy presentation. Surround your bar or serving table with decorations like witch hats, toy or paper bats and spiders, or plastic skeletons. You could even float a gumball eye in the middle of your cocktail!
If you need supplies, be sure to stop by our Burlington Tasting Room, where you can purchase bottles of our spirits, bitters like Crude Smoke & Salt Bitters, and even Luxardo cherries. For more drink inspiration, be sure to follow us on Instagram and Facebook to catch our cocktail videos, or visit our website to explore even more recipes. Cheers!
Written by Brianne Lucas and originally published on October 25, 2022. Updated on October 14, 2024.
Autumn Revolution
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Autumn Revolution
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
Description
A cocktail recipe that celebrates the beautiful autumn season incorporating our Revolution Rye with orange curacao and a honey ginger syrup.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 oz. of Revolution Rye
- 1/2 oz. of Orange Curacao
- 1/2 oz. of honey ginger syrup
- 1/2 oz. of lemon juice
- 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
Instructions
- Add all ingredients to a shaker with ice.
- Shake for about 30 seconds.
- Add a large ice cube to a rocks glass.
- Strain over the large ice cube into the glass.
- Express a lemon peel over the top, then add as a garnish.
Notes
To make a honey ginger syrup:
- 1/2 cup raw honey
- 1/2 cup water
- 1 oz of ginger, sliced or grated
In a pan, combine honey, ginger (cut into thin slices) and water. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium and simmer for 40-60 minutes, tasting as you go, until you’ve reached the right level of ginger flavor melded with your syrup. Strain out ginger slices and store syrup for up to three weeks.
Featured Spirit
Improved Whiskey Cocktail
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Improved Whiskey Cocktail
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
Description
This riff on an Old Fashioned incorporates Luxardo Maraschino and a dash of Absinthe with our Straight Bourbon.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 oz. of Straight Bourbon
- 1/4 oz. of Luxardo Maraschino
- 1/4 oz. of simple syrup
- 1 dash of Peychauds Bitters
- 1 dash of Angostura Bitters
- 1 dash of Absinthe
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, combine all ingredients.
- Add ice, and stir well.
- Strain into a rocks glass over a large ice cube.
- Garnish with a lemon peel, expressing it over the top.
Featured Spirit
Mad Apple Cocktail Recipes
It’s Mad Apple season! Our flagship European-style dry apple brandy is distilled from Vermont apples. The result is an aromatic brandy with fresh apple notes on the nose, oak spice and vanilla on the palate, and a crisp apple finish.
We release this limited spirit each fall, and it really is a quintessential sipper to enjoy in the autumn season. You can sip it all on its own, but we also utilize Mad Apple in a variety of cocktail recipes like the Jack Rose, so you can enjoy this spirit in a number of different ways.
Looking for cocktail inspiration with your bottle of Mad Apple? Read below to try some of our favorites from home:
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-2 oz. of Mad Apple
-1 oz. of Grenadine
-1/2 oz. of Lime Juice
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake for about 8-10 seconds. Strain contents into a coupe glass. Garnish with a lime wheel.
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-2 oz. of Mad Apple
-1 tsp. of Vermont Maple Syrup
-2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
Instructions:
In a mixing glass with ice, combine maple syrup, bitters and Mad Apple. Stir well, then strain contents into a rocks glass over a large ice cube. Garnish with an apple or an orange swath.
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-2 oz. of Mad Apple
-3/4 oz. of Orgeat
-3/4 oz. of Lemon Juice
-1/4 oz. of Peychaud's Bitters
Instructions:
Combine ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake briefly, then strain contents into a small wine glass. Garnish with Peychaud's Bitters.
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-1 oz. of Mad Apple Brandy
-1 sugar cube
-2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
-Chilled Sparkling Wine
Instructions:
Put the two dashes of bitters on a sugar cube. Place the sugar cube (with bitters) in the bottom of a champagne glass. Add Mad Apple over the sugar cube. Top the glass with sparkling wine.
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-2 oz. of Mad Apple
-1 oz. of green peppermint candy cane infused Rum 44
Instructions:
In a mixing glass with ice, combine the Mad Apply Brandy with peppermint infused Rum 44. Stir well, then strain over crushed ice. Garnish with fresh mint and orange zest.
To make candy cane infused Rum 44:
add 2 standard size green striped candy canes to a bottle with 16 ounces of Rum 44. Leave the candy canes in the container until they dissolve.
Our Mad Apple Brandy is only available for a limited time each year, so make sure you stop into our Burlington Tasting Room soon to get a bottle before it sells out. If you are looking to make any of the recipes above, you can find most of the other ingredients right in our retail section, including bottles of Rum 44, grenadine, bitters, and maple syrup. If you have any questions while you’re there, our team is always happy to help. Cheers!
Written and published by Brianne Lucas on October 1, 2023.
Hoppy Godfather
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Hoppy Godfather
- Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
Description
A tasty cocktail that only requires two ingredients. A simple but unique cocktail incorporating our HopScotch collaboration with Lawon’s Finest Liquids and Amaretto.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1.5 oz. of HopScotch
- 1 oz. of Amaretto
Instructions
- In a mixing glass, combine the HopScotch and Amaretto with ice.
- Stir well, then strain into a rock glass over a large ice cube.
- Garnish with a twist of lemon after expressing over the top of the glass.
Featured Spirit
Maple Syrup Cocktail Recipes
Fall foliage, cows on pasture, the green mountains, and Ben & Jerry’s ice cream—these are just a few things that people think of as quintessential to Vermont. Of course, no list representing Vermont is complete without the sweet treat we call maple syrup. We take great pride in our maple syrup here, which is why we celebrate it for an entire month every year.
As we head into the fall season—it's a great time to learn about maple products and the many businesses that make and utilize them. At Mad River Distillers, our Maple Cask Rum is aged in barrels that once held Wood’s Rum Barrel Aged Maple Syrup. We also provide our bourbon barrels to Old City Syrup for their Bourbon Barrel Aged Maple Syrup. That isn’t our only maple connection though. We also incorporate maple syrup into a variety of cocktail recipes! It can add some extra flavor, and works well as a substitute for simple syrup.
Here, we share a mix of Mad River Distillers cocktail recipes with maple syrup as an ingredient, starting with our most popular cocktail on the Burlington Tasting Room menu:
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
2 oz. of Straight Bourbon
1 oz. of Vermont maple syrup
1 oz. of fresh lemon juice
4 dashes of Angostura Bitters
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake briefly. Strain contents into a Double Old Fashioned glass. Garnish with Angostura Bitters.
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
2 oz. of Burnt Rock Bourbon
1 oz. of lemon juice
1 oz. of Woods Pumpkin Spice Maple Syrup
2 dashes of Bittermens Tiki Bitters
2 dashes of Angostura Bitters
Instructions:
Add all ingredients except Angostura Bitters in a shaker with ice. Shake well, then strain over a large ice cube in a rocks glass. Top with 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters as a float.
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
1.5 oz. of Maple Cask Rum
2 oz. of Champlain Orchard’s Fresh Apple Cider
1/4 oz. of Vermont maple syrup
1/2 oz. of lemon juice
1/2 oz. of orange juice
5 dashes of Angostura Bitters
Stowe Cider Dry & High (hard cider to top)
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients, except the hard cider, in a shaker with ice. Strain into a Collins glass, then top the glass with hard cider. (If you can’t find Stowe Cider Dry & High, another hard dry cider will work). Add an orange and lemon wedge for garnish.
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
2 oz. of Straight Bourbon
3/4 oz. of lemon juice
1/2 oz. of Vermont maple syrup
1/2 oz. of Rosemary Syrup
2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
Instructions:
In a shaker, add all ingredients with ice. Shake for about 8-15 seconds. Strain contents into a daiquiri coupe glass. Add a rosemary sprig for garnish.
To make a rosemary syrup, in a Mason Jar, take 8-10 sprigs of rosemary and place in 1 cup of boiling water. Let it steep (like a tea) for five minutes, then add 1.5 cups sugar and stir until dissolved. Seal the jar and let it sit for 8-12 hours, then strain out sprigs.
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
2 oz. of Straight Bourbon
1 tsp. of Vermont maple syrup
2 lemon wedges
6 mint leaves
2 strawberries
optional: soda water, rhubarb bitters
Instructions:
Muddle mint leaves, maple syrup, a strawberry, and lemon wedges. Shake muddled ingredients with bourbon and ice. Pour into a highball glass, and top off with a splash of club soda. Garnish with mint and a strawberry.
Stout Simple Syrup Ingredients:
-2 - 16 oz. cans of 14th Star Brewing Maple Breakfast Stout
-2-2.5 cups of sugar
Cocktail Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-2 oz. of Maple Cask Rum or Straight Bourbon
-1.5 oz. of stout simple syrup
-1 oz. of lemon juice
Instructions:
In a shaker, combine Straight Bourbon or Maple Cask Rum, the stout simple syrup and lemon juice. Add ice to the shaker, and shake hard for about 15 seconds. Strain contents into a chilled coupe, and enjoy!
To make the stout syrup:
To make the stout simple syrup, bring 2 - 16 oz. cans of the Maple Breakfast Stout to just below a rolling simmer in a saucepan.* Heat for 2-3 hours, whisking every 1/2 hour. Remove the froth that forms at the top. Once you have reduced the stout to about half (16 oz.), add sugar and stir until it is fully dissolved. Set the simple syrup aside to cool.
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-1.5 oz. of First Run Rum
-1 oz. of Linchpin Aperitivo (or Aperol)
-3/4 oz. of fresh lime juice
-1/4 oz. of Rum Barrel Aged Maple Syrup
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake, then double strain into a coupe glass.
Ingredients - Yields 4 Cocktails:
-4 oz. of RUM 44
-4 Chai tea bags
-1 cup of filtered water
-1 tbsp. of Vermont maple syrup
-2 oz. of cold brew coffee
-1 cup of milk
-Star Anise
Instructions:
Heat the water to almost boiling and steep the tea for 4 minutes. Discard the tea bags. Add in the maple syrup. Stir to combine and set to the side to cool. In a shaker, pour espresso, rum, milk, and cooled chai over ice. Shake for about 8-10 seconds. Double strain into 4 martini glasses, and garnish with star anise.
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-1.5 oz. of RUM 44
-3/4 oz. of lime juice
-3/4 oz. of mint simple syrup
-1/4 oz. of Baird Farm Mint Infused Vermont Maple Syrup
-2 dashes of Fee Brothers Mint Bitters
-Club soda or seltzer to top
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients except for the club soda (or seltzer) in a tall glass filled with ice. Stir to incorporate ingredients, then top with the club soda or seltzer. Garnish with a lime wedge.
To make Mint Simple Syrup:
Combine 3 cups of simple syrup (a 1:1 ratio of sugar dissolved in hot water) with 1 cup of pressed mint leaves. Blanch the mint in boiling water for 15 seconds, then immediately remove the mint leaves and immerse them in ice water for 1 minute. Strain the leaves from the ice water. Blend the cooled simple syrup with the mint leaves for 1 minute, then strain well. Store the cooled mint simple syrup in an airtight container in the refrigerator, for up to 2 weeks.
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-1.5 oz. of Maple Cask Rum
-1/2 oz. of Benedictine
-1/2 oz. of Banana Liqueur
-1/2 oz. of Lemon Juice
-1/4 oz. of Maple Syrup
-2 dashes Angostura Bitters
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake, then strain contents into a coupe glass. Serve and enjoy!
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-1.5 oz. of Revolution Rye Whiskey
-1/2 oz. of Royal Rose Jasmine Syrup
-1/4 oz. of Lemon Juice
-2 oz. of VT Switchel
Instructions:
Combine ingredients in a shaker over ice. Shake briefly. Strain contents into a Highball glass. Garnish with a lemon peel.
Ingredients - Yields 1 Cocktail:
-1.25 oz. of Vanilla Rum
-1/4 oz. of Vermont Maple Syrup
-1/2 oz. of Metcalfe’s Maple Creme Liqueur
-2 oz. of cold brew coffee
Instructions:
Combine all ingredients in a shaker with ice. Shake for 8-10 seconds. Strain contents into a chilled coupe glass. Garnish with cinnamon or cocoa.
You might be wondering how we make our Maple Cask Rum. This rum starts as our First Run Rum, which is distilled from 100% demerara sugar. We lend our used rum barrels to Wood's Vermont Syrup Company, which they use to make their Rum Barrel Aged Maple Syrup. The barrels are then returned to us, and we transfer our First Run Rum into these maple-cured barrels. The result is a smooth, bright rum with a nose of tropical fruits and butterscotch flavors.
We offer another product using our Maple Cask Rum—our Maple Fig Madhattan, which is a ready-to-drink spin on the classic Manhattan cocktail made with Black Fig Vodka by Black Infusions and bitters. To pick up a bottle of either maple product, visit our Purchase page to see where you can find a bottle near you, or stop by a Tasting Room. You can also find bottles of Wood’s Maple Syrup and Old City Syrup at our Burlington Tasting Room, in addition to other maple products. Cheers!
Written and published by Brianne Lucas on September 17, 2023. Updated on September 13, 2024.
