Vermont's Sweet Boozy Treat: Maple Syrup Liquor

what do you call vermont alcohol with maple syrup

Maple syrup is a popular ingredient in cocktails and other alcoholic drinks, and it's a well-known product of Vermont. So, it's no surprise that there are many Vermont alcoholic drinks that feature maple syrup. These include cocktails like the Old Vermont, the Maple Old Fashioned, and the Maple Mule, as well as liqueurs like Vermont Maple Cream Liqueur and Vermont Moonshine.

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Maple syrup as a cocktail sweetener

Maple syrup is a versatile ingredient that can be used to add a unique twist to cocktails. Its rich, earthy sweetness can complement and enhance the flavours in a drink. It can be used in place of simple syrup or honey syrup to give a more complex flavour to cocktails.

Maple syrup is an excellent sweetener for cocktails, especially those with autumnal flavours. For example, it can be used in an Old Fashioned instead of a sugar cube to add a touch of autumnal flavour. It pairs well with spirits like whiskey, rum, apple brandy, and gin. It can also be used in a Whiskey Sour, adding a unique twist to a classic cocktail.

Vermont, a state known for its maple syrup production, has several cocktails that showcase this ingredient. The Old Vermont cocktail, for instance, combines gin, orange juice, lemon juice, maple syrup, and aromatic bitters. Vermont distillers also offer a range of liqueurs and spirits that incorporate maple syrup, such as maple cream liqueur, maple bourbon, and maple vodka. These products can be used in various cocktails, either as a substitute for simple syrup or as a unique flavour component.

Maple syrup can also be used in creative ways, such as in a martini with vodka and pickle brine for a uniquely sweet and savoury combination. It can even be added to champagne to give it a sweet twist. For a refreshing summer drink, maple syrup can be used to sweeten lemonade or infused into cold brew coffee.

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Maple Old Fashioned

The Maple Old Fashioned is a seasonal twist on the classic bourbon cocktail, with a hint of maple flavour. It is perfect for fall or winter and is a sweet version of the original cocktail, with nutty and baked flavours.

The Old Fashioned is made with bourbon, so it does not need a lot of added sweeteners. The maple syrup brings out the warm caramel flavours in the bourbon whiskey. To make a Maple Old Fashioned, simply add two ounces of bourbon, a quarter of an ounce of maple syrup, and two dashes of Angostura bitters to a rocks glass and stir. Carefully drop in a single large ice cube. Garnish with a strip of orange peel and a maraschino cherry.

If you want to make a Smoked Maple Old Fashioned, you can use a kitchen torch to light a lemon or orange rind and place it in a glass. Cover the glass for a minute or two, then remove the rind and run it along the rim of the glass. Add an ice cube, a few drops of bitters, maple syrup, and bourbon. Stir and add a cinnamon stick before serving.

For a Maple Mule, use maple wine instead of brandy and top it with ginger beer.

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Maple Hot Toddy

A Maple Hot Toddy is a twist on the traditional hot toddy, which is usually made with honey. This version replaces honey with maple syrup, adding a unique flavour to the cocktail. Maple syrup is produced in Vermont, so it is only fitting that it is used in cocktails inspired by the state.

A Maple Hot Toddy is a perfect drink for cold winter nights, with its soul-soothing warmth and delicious flavour. The cocktail is very easy to make, requiring no special equipment or techniques. The ingredients are combined and stirred, making it a low-effort drink.

Ingredients:

  • Whiskey or bourbon
  • Maple syrup
  • Lemon
  • Tea bag (ginger tea is recommended)
  • Cinnamon stick
  • Star anise
  • Hot water

Method:

  • Add ½ tablespoon of maple syrup, 1.5 oz of whiskey, and ¼ oz of lemon juice to two glasses.
  • Squeeze a lemon wedge into each glass and add a cinnamon stick and star anise.
  • Place a tea bag in each glass.
  • Pour 6 oz of almost-boiling hot water into each glass and stir.
  • Allow the drink to sit for a few minutes to steep and enjoy.

This recipe can be adjusted to personal preference; any kind of whiskey or tea can be used. The maple syrup can also be adjusted to taste, creating a sweeter or less sweet cocktail.

For a festive twist, try adding a dash of orange juice to the cocktail, bringing a citrusy note to the drink. This Maple Hot Toddy is a perfect Christmas beverage, providing a smooth and delicious drinking experience.

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Vermont Maple Cream Liqueur

Vermont is known for its maple syrup, so it's no surprise that the state is also home to some delicious maple cream liqueurs. One of the most popular is Metcalfe's Vermont Maple Cream Liqueur, crafted using Montmorency cherries and a blend of local apples and corn. It is a premium, small-batch liqueur with a smooth, sweet maple flavor that can be sipped neat, on the rocks, or used in cocktails. It is an excellent sweetener in a gin or whiskey sour and also pairs well with sparkling wine, lemon, or sangria.

Another popular option is Smugglers' Notch Distillery's Vermont Maple Cream Liqueur, which blends three-year-old rum aged in charred white oak barrels with local organic Vermont maple syrup and fresh cream. The result is a confluence of creamy vanilla, maple, and toffee flavors with light whiskey notes and a mellow rum finish. This liqueur is perfect for indulging in neat or on the rocks, and it also makes a great addition to cocktails.

The process of making Vermont Maple Cream Liqueur begins with the sap of maple trees. The sap is carefully collected and boiled down to create the distinctive maple syrup that forms the heart of the liqueur. This tradition has been passed down through generations in Vermont, with farms like Snow Farm Vineyard & Winery in Northern Vermont producing their own maple syrup and cocktails, such as the Maple Old Fashioned and the Maple Mule, featuring their Fox Hill Maple wine.

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Maple cocktails at Snow Farm Vineyard & Winery

Snow Farm Vineyard & Winery in South Hero, Vermont, is a family-owned business that has been producing wine and maple syrup for generations. They have a range of signature maple cocktails that showcase their Fox Hill Maple syrup and wine.

The Maple Old Fashioned is a twist on the classic cocktail. Instead of using water and sugar, Fox Hill Maple wine is mixed with bourbon or rye, vodka, maple syrup, and lime juice. The drink is served over ice and garnished with an orange peel and a drizzle of syrup.

The Maple Mule is another cocktail that substitutes Fox Hill Maple wine for brandy. The result is a rich and complex flavour that is perfect for autumn.

Snow Farm Vineyard & Winery also recommends using their maple syrup in place of simple syrup or infused syrup in most cocktails to add a unique flavour. Their Fox Hill Maple wine pairs well with apple, pear, orange, and ginger flavours.

In addition to cocktails, Snow Farm Vineyard & Winery offers a self-guided tour of their vineyard and a walk through their maple trees, with stunning views of the lake, mountains, and valley.

For those interested in learning more about the process of making maple liqueur, the Snow Farm Distillery in South Hero, Vermont, offers a behind-the-scenes look at how they craft their drinks with farm-fresh maple syrup and grape spirits.

Frequently asked questions

Vermont alcohol with maple syrup is called Vermont Maple Cream Liqueur.

Vermont Maple Cream Liqueur can be used in cocktails such as the Maple Old Fashioned, the Maple Mule, the Maple Mint Julep, and the Maple Hot Toddy.

Some other cocktails that use maple syrup include the Old Vermont, the Trees Knees, and the Maple Margarita.

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