Maple-Cardamom Old Fashioned Bitters Recipe on Food52 (2024)

Christmas

by: Julie

October20,2014

4.5

4 Ratings

  • Makes 1 drink

Jump to Recipe

Author Notes

This loose interpretation of an old fashioned came out of an improvisation when I ran out of maraschino cherries, but it definitely holds its own against the original. The flavors are especially suited to fall and winter, but I enjoy them year-round!

While you can use store-bought bitters, I highly recommend using the recipe below. I think the addition of a little cinnamon adds warmth that works really well with this drink. —Julie

Test Kitchen Notes

WHO: Julie has been a member of the Food52 community for the past year.
WHAT: An old fashioned redux with homemade bitters.
HOW: For a drink worthy of Don Draper, combine cardamom bitters with bourbon and maple syrup in a rocks glass, then add ice and garnish with an orange twist.
WHY WE LOVE IT: This updated old fashioned is smoother and slightly sweeter than its predecessor, using maple syrup instead of the classic sugar cube. The homemade bitters bump this recipe up another notch, enriching the whiskey with a warm, spicy-sweet kick. If you need us, you'll find us curled up with a glass by the fireplace. —The Editors

  • Test Kitchen-Approved

What You'll Need

Ingredients
  • For the old fashioned:
  • 2 ouncesbourbon
  • 1 scant teaspoonsmaple syrup
  • 1 dashcardamom bitters (see recipe below, or use store-bought)
  • Ice, to serve
  • 1 twist orange peel, for garnish
  • For the cardamom bitters:
  • 1 heaping tablespoon cardamom pods, crushed slightly
  • one 1-inch piece cinnamon stick
  • 1/2 cup100 proof vodka
Directions
  1. For the old fashioned:
  2. In a rocks glass, stir together the bourbon and maple syrup.
  3. Top with bitters and ice and stir once or twice more.
  4. Garnish with a twist of orange peel.
  1. For the cardamom bitters:
  2. In a mason jar or container with a tight-fitting lid, cover cardamom pods and cinnamon stick with vodka. Secure lid and let sit at room temperature for 5 to 7 days.
  3. Strain and discard cardamom and cinnamon. Store bitters at room temperature.

Tags:

  • co*cktail
  • American
  • Vodka
  • Maple Syrup
  • Cardamom
  • Bourbon
  • Fall
  • Christmas
  • Thanksgiving
  • Winter
  • Drink
Contest Entries
  • Your Best co*cktail

See what other Food52ers are saying.

  • mizerychik

  • JulieS

  • BocaCindi

  • Graeme Taylor

  • suzannac

Popular on Food52

12 Reviews

mizerychik December 19, 2021

What makes these bitters actually bitter? The recipe seems like you're making spiced vodka, not bitters here. Do the spices bitter as they steep?

Julie December 20, 2021

I left out a bittering agent in favor of ingredients that are easier to come by. The flavor is strong and aromatic and only slightly bitter from the concentration of spices.

Nina November 16, 2017

Would it work to use store bought Cardamon bitters if you don't have time to make your own?

JulieS March 17, 2017

I can't wait to make this! I have some Wood's Bourbon Maple Syrup that would be killer in this!

BocaCindi January 22, 2017

The cardamom bitters jar is so fragrant even after day two. Had pods and forgot to crush, so put in 1/4 tsp cardamom seeds in addition to pods. Can't wait to try this in a few days.

BocaCindi March 17, 2017

I absolutely love this drink.

Megan May 26, 2016

This sounds delicious, an interesting twist on my favorite drink, how long should the bitters last?

Julie May 26, 2016

Hi Megan - indefinitely, as far as I can tell. There's nothing in there that will go rancid, so it's just a matter of flavor. Mine are almost two years old and still going strong!

Graeme T. May 18, 2015

I make old fashioned a lot, both with Bourbon and Scotch whisky and love the idea of making my own bitters, especially with those two special ingredients.

suzannac April 14, 2015

This is a lovely co*cktail. The homemade bitters really add a nice spicy finish. My only suggestion would be a little less maple -- but that might be my own personal taste preferences.

LeBec F. April 12, 2015

julie, nice job! i know zilch about hard liquor. Can white rum also be used to make bitters- instead of vodka? the reason i ask this question is:
https://food52.com/recipes/15714-lime-cardamom-rum-and-ginger-green-tea-refresher-go-green

Julie April 13, 2015

Sure - you should be able to use any hard liquor to make bitters, the higher proof the better. It'll alter the flavor a little but that's not necessarily a bad thing!

Maple-Cardamom Old Fashioned Bitters Recipe on Food52 (2024)

FAQs

Maple-Cardamom Old Fashioned Bitters Recipe on Food52? ›

With unique fall-inspired flavor profiles like lemon, black peppercorn, and nutmeg, Cardamom bitters make for an unparalleled match with your favorite rum or whiskey-infused co*cktails! Put half of the whiskey and lemon in one jar and the other half and spices in the other.

What to use cardamom bitters for? ›

With unique fall-inspired flavor profiles like lemon, black peppercorn, and nutmeg, Cardamom bitters make for an unparalleled match with your favorite rum or whiskey-infused co*cktails! Put half of the whiskey and lemon in one jar and the other half and spices in the other.

How do you use Old Fashioned bitters? ›

An Old Fashioned calls for two to three dashes of bitters—no more, no less—that are added to the glass once the sugar or simple syrup is in. While the amount seems small, having too many or too few dashes can dramatically change the taste makeup of the drink. The type and quality of bitters matters too.

What is bitters in an Old Fashioned? ›

Angostura bitters are a necessary ingredient for creating co*cktails like the Manhattan and the Old Fashioned. What Do Angostura Bitters Taste Like? Angostura bitters have a spicy flavor with hints of clove and cinnamon.

How to infuse whiskey with cardamom? ›

Trust us – we are now infused bourbon tasting experts!
  1. First, pour the bourbon into a clear glass swing top bottle.
  2. Then, add the desired infused ingredient (vanilla bean, cinnamon, cloves or cardamom – full or ground)
  3. Close the lid,
  4. Let the bottle sit (in a cool dark place) for 1-2 weeks.
Mar 3, 2017

What does cardamom do to the body? ›

Consuming cardamom may help with conditions such as metabolic syndrome and diabetes, as well as boosting oral, heart, and liver health. Cardamom may also offer antimicrobial properties, help prevent ulcers, and help fight against cancer.

What does cardamom do for the liver? ›

The liver is a powerhouse organ. So, it's important that it stays in tip-top shape to ensure that it's capable of handling the many functions it's tasked with. Cardamom can help in doing so, as it has been shown to reduce liver fat, lower liver stress, prevent liver enlargement and simply improve overall liver health.

When should bitters be avoided? ›

Bitters should be avoided by people with certain health conditions or anyone who's pregnant. Bitters may also interact with certain medications and should not be used by children. Always speak with your doctor about possible interactions of medicinal herbs and plants with your current medication.

Can you drink bitters straight up? ›

Your homemade batch won't be as strongly bitter, but you'll see what I mean about this being an unusual, not fully palatable flavor on its own. Bitters are meant to be used in conjunction with something else (a co*cktail, a glass of seltzer) and should be composed with this future blending in mind.

Do homemade bitters need to be refrigerated? ›

On average, bitters last around 5 years.

However, there's no need to refrigerate bitters. Even though there are organic compounds in bitters, the amount of alcohol acts as a natural sterilizer and preservation agent. So, feel free to leave it on your bar cart or in your liquor storage cabinets without having to worry.

What kind of bitters are best for Old Fashioned? ›

I recommend a high-proof bourbon with bold flavor notes, so that its flavor will not be overpowered by the orange and bitters. Bitters: Angostura bitters are most commonly used in this co*cktail. I generally add about 3 to 4 shakes, but feel free to add as many as you prefer.

Do bitters go bad? ›

How Long Do Bitters Last? While we hate to see a bottle of bitters collecting dust on your home bar they do last indefinitely. They are bottled at about 70 proof or 35% alcohol, so they are perfectly preserved. However, it is possible that the flavor will change over time.

What to mix with bitters? ›

We say: An indulgent use of bitters to produce an equally indulgent and a tad challenging co*cktail. With: Angostura Aromatic Bitters, sugar syrup, grenadine, lemon juice, lime juice, egg white, cream, and soda water.

How do you make cardamom taste better? ›

To do so, first toast the pods in a skillet. This helps bring out the flavor and makes it easier to open. From here you can remove the seeds from the pods and grind them by hand. Be sure to save the empty pods — they can be used to infuse coffee or teas.

How do you add cardamom to food? ›

Ground or whole, green cardamom provides herbal, citrusy, slightly sweet flavor and you can use it in sweet and savory dishes alike. Cakes, cobblers, chai tea and chicken and beef dishes get their warmth from this spice.

What liquor has cardamom? ›

about this vodka

For this expression, our distillers present a Cardamom Flavored Vodka made right here in our pilot still using an infusion of husked green cardamom seeds. We chose the green variety for its warm, peppery zing, which pairs well with both sweet and savory ingredients.

What is cardamom most commonly used for? ›

Perhaps the most well-known use of cardamom is in chai, or tea. Chai Spices typically include cardamom, cinnamon, ginger, black pepper, and cloves. You can also use cardamom pods by themselves for a caffeine-free herbal tea.

What are the spiritual benefits of cardamom? ›

🔮 Spiritual Aroma

When it comes to spirituality, Green Cardamom is no wallflower. Burned for mental clarity and courage, it's a staple in rituals aiming to attract good fortune and prosperity. Its presence in religious ceremonies is like an olfactory benediction, fostering generosity and sharing the good vibes.

What does cardamom taste good on? ›

Cardamom harmonizes beautifully with warming spices, such as cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg, to infuse dishes with captivating essence. Bringing forth a medley of flavor, this remarkable spice can elevate a variety of dishes, like stews, soups and curries, baked goods, desserts, and beverages such as coffee or tea.

What are the traditional uses of cardamom? ›

Ethnopharmacological relevance: Small cardamom [Elettaria cardamomum (L.) Maton. (Family: Zingiberaceae)] capsules (fruits) have been used for traditional medicine applications including for the control of asthma, teeth and gum infections, cataracts, nausea, diarrhea, as well as cardiac, digestive and kidney disorders.

References

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Article information

Author: Frankie Dare

Last Updated:

Views: 6726

Rating: 4.2 / 5 (53 voted)

Reviews: 84% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Frankie Dare

Birthday: 2000-01-27

Address: Suite 313 45115 Caridad Freeway, Port Barabaraville, MS 66713

Phone: +3769542039359

Job: Sales Manager

Hobby: Baton twirling, Stand-up comedy, Leather crafting, Rugby, tabletop games, Jigsaw puzzles, Air sports

Introduction: My name is Frankie Dare, I am a funny, beautiful, proud, fair, pleasant, cheerful, enthusiastic person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.