Maple Bourbon Fizz

The perfect holiday drink with warming bourbon, lightly spiced maple, and citrus notes. An excellent choice for pre-Thanksgiving cocktails.

Spiced Maple Simple Syrup

1⁄2 c maple syrup
1⁄2 c water
1 cinnamon stick
1 star anise pod
2 whole cloves
1 t orange zest
1⁄2 t vanilla

Cocktail

2 oz bourbon
1⁄2 oz lemon juice
1 oz Spiced Maple Simple Syrup
2 dashes orange bitters
Sparkling wine, for topping off
Cinnamon stick, orange peel for garnish

Make simple syrup by combining maple syrup, water, cinnamon, star anise and cloves in a small saucepan. Bring to a simmer. Turn off the heat, add orange zest and vanilla. Cover the pot and let steep for 10 minutes. Strain into a jar and refrigerate (can keep up to 2 weeks).

To a cocktail shaker, add bourbon, lemon juice, cider, maple syrup, and bitters. Add ice and shake for 20 seconds until cold. Strain into a cocktail glass with ice, top off with sparkling wine, and garnish with a cinnamon stick and orange peel.