Cocktail of the Week: Helen Graves' Peach and Maple Old Fashioned

Helen Graves has introduced a twist to the classic old fashioned cocktail by incorporating peach and maple flavors. This innovative recipe blends the traditional bourbon and bitters with the sweetness of maple syrup and peach-infused tea, offering a refreshing variation to the time-honored drink.

Recipe for Peach and Maple Old Fashioned:

  • Servings: 4
  • Ingredients:
    • 1½ tbsp maple syrup
    • 250ml bourbon
    • 1 dash Angostura bitters
    • 1 peach and orange teabag, or 1 plain peach teabag
    • Soda water (optional)
    • 4 strips orange peel (for garnish)

Instructions:

  1. Combine maple syrup, bourbon, and bitters in a shaker and shake well.
  2. Transfer the mixture to a sealable container, add the peach teabag, and let it infuse for a few hours or overnight.
  3. Discard the teabag, pour the infused mixture into four old fashioned glasses or tumblers.
  4. Add a dash of soda water if desired.
  5. Garnish each drink with a strip of orange peel and serve.

This recipe is an extract from Helen Graves' book "BBQ Days, BBQ Nights: Barbecue Recipes for Year-Round Feasting," published by Hardie Grant, available for purchase.

Foto: Rob Lawson/The Guardian. Drink styling: Jack Hall.