Spiced Maple Bourbon Fizz

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Cocktail History

The Spiced Maple Bourbon Fizz is an autumn cocktail that was created in 2021 by Tieghan Gerard of Half Baked Harvest.

Originally meant to be a batch cocktail, this version, crafted for individual servings, features spiced bourbon as its base, lending a cozy depth of flavor and combines it with fresh citrus for brightness and a distinct maple syrup that’s infused with classic baking spices, all of which enhance its autumnal character. To finish, a splash of sparkling wine provides a fizzy lift, creating a balanced cocktail perfect for fall gatherings or a festive toast.

Cocktail Ingredients

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following ingredients:

Sparkling Wine: This is a type of wine made with white grapes and yeast, which are fermented with the skins to produce alcohol and then infused with carbon dioxide gas to develop a pale yellow-green color and crisp, fruity flavor.

Bourbon: This is a type of whiskey made in the United States with at least 51% corn, with other grains, water, and yeast, which are distilled and then aged in new charred oak barrels to develop a rich, caramelized flavor.

Spiced Maple Syrup: This is a sweetener made with maple syrup, ginger root, spices, and vanilla, which are heated and infused to develop a warm, autumnal flavor.

Lemon Juice: This is the liquid extracted from the flesh of ripe lemons that has a sweet, tangy flavor and light yellow color.

Orange Bitters: This is a concentrated flavoring made with orange peels, herbs, spices, botanicals, and distilled alcohol, which are macerated or steeped to develop a slightly bitter citrus flavor.

Orange Twist: This is the peel of an orange that has been twisted into a corkscrew shape.

Cinnamon Stick: This is a spice made from dried and rolled bark of the cinnamon tree that has a warm, sweet-spicy flavor.

Star Anise: This is a spice made from the fruit of an evergreen tree, which is dried for its strong, licorice-like flavor.

Brands I Used

• 🔗 Villa Bellezza Winery Brillante
• 🔗 Buffalo Trace Distillery Eagle Rare Kentucky Straight Bourbon Whiskey
• 🔗 Woodford Reserve Orange Bitters
• 🔗 Simply Organic Cinnamon Sticks
• 🔗 Frontier Co-op Star Anise

Bartending Tools

To make this cocktail, you’ll need the following bar tools:

Bar Mat: This is a rubber or silicone mat that’s placed on the bar surface and used for catching spills, providing grip for glasses and tools, and keeping the workspace clean and organized.

Jigger: This is a small double-sided tool with different volume measurements on each side that’s used for accurately portioning ingredients.

Boston Shaker: This is a two-piece cocktail shaker made with a large metal tin and a second tin or mixing glass that’s used for shaking and chilling cocktail ingredients.

Hawthorne Strainer: This is a flat metal strainer with a handle and a coiled spring around the edge that’s used for straining shaken cocktails from a shaker while holding back ice and solids.

Cutting Board: This is a flat, durable kitchen surface made from materials like wood or plastic that’s used for slicing ingredients and preparing garnishes.

Paring Knife: This is a small kitchen knife with a narrow, sharp blade that’s used for peeling fruit and trimming garnishes.

Electric Citrus Juicer: This is a kitchen appliance with a motorized reamer that’s used for quickly extracting juice from citrus fruits.

Fine Mesh Strainer: This is a mesh metal strainer with a tightly woven bowl and handle that’s used for straining out small ice shards and other solids while pouring cocktails from a shaker or mixing glass.

Measuring Cup: This is a kitchen tool with a handled cup and marked volume measurements that’s used for accurately measuring and pouring liquid ingredients.

Peeler: This is a handheld kitchen tool with a sharp blade that’s used for removing thin strips of peel from fruits and vegetables.

Lowball Glass: This is a short, wide glass with a thick base that’s used for serving cocktails with ice or spirits neat.

Tools I Used

• 🔗 A Bar Above 18×12 Premium Bar Mat
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Japanese Jigger
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Boston Shaker
• 🔗 A Bar Above Stainless Steel Hawthorne Strainer
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 2-Piece Cutting Board Set
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 3.5 Inch Paring Knife
• 🔗 BLACK+DECKER 32 oz Electric Citrus Juicer
• 🔗 Barfly Silver Stainless Steel Fine Mesh Cocktail Strainer
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 2 Cup Angled Measuring Cup
• 🔗 OXO Good Grips 2 Piece Peeler Set

Tasting Notes

This cocktail has the following flavor profile:

• Appearance: Warm amber hue with a frothy top

• Aroma: Maple syrup, wine, citrus, and warm spices

• Taste: Smooth and balanced mix of rich maple sweetness, baking spices, and the bold character of bourbon lightened by a hint of fizz

• Finish: Crisp and refreshing with lingering notes of more maple and a twinge of lemon

Kendall’s Take
“Cocktails topped with sparkling wine always feel a little unpredictable to me. I expected this one to lean heavily into ‘bourbon spritzer’ territory, for example, but it turned out far more layered than I anticipated. The maple and bourbon hold their own beautifully against the bubbly, creating something that’s both refreshing and distinctly seasonal. In the end, the Spiced Maple Bourbon Fizz is festive without being fussy—the kind of drink that makes opening a bottle of sparkling wine feel like a very good idea.”

Recipe

This cocktail recipe was found in the publication Half Baked Harvest.