Old Vermont
ORIGIN
United States · Early 1900s
TASTING NOTES
Bright citrus up front, softened by rich maple syrup and anchored by botanicals from the gin. Warming, balanced, and gently spiced, with a smooth, autumnal finish.
GLASS
Coupe
BASE
Gin
MIX
Shaken
NOTES
The Old Vermont is a study in contrast. Fresh citrus brings lift and acidity, while maple syrup adds depth, weight, and a quiet sweetness that feels grounded rather than sugary.
Grade A dark maple syrup works best here. Its deeper caramel and toasted sugar notes give the drink structure and warmth, allowing the sweetness to register as flavor rather than sugar. Lighter grades tend to disappear. Dark maple holds its ground.
Gin keeps the drink structured and aromatic, preventing the maple from drifting too far into richness. Orange and lemon work together here, one round and expressive, the other sharp and clarifying. A few dashes of bitters tie everything down, giving the drink a sense of place and season.
This is not a novelty cocktail. It is thoughtful, restrained, and deeply comforting. Familiar flavors, carefully arranged, revealing more with each sip.
ARCHDALE RECIPE
Ingredients
- 1.75 oz gin
- 0.66 oz orange juice
- 0.5 oz fresh lemon juice
- 0.66 maple syrup
- 3 dashes angostura bitters
1. Build
Add the gin, orange juice, lemon juice, maple syrup, and Angostura bitters to a shaker.
2. Mix
Fill with ice and shake until well chilled and fully integrated.
3. Finish
Strain into a chilled coupe. Garnish with an orange peel if desired, expressing it lightly over the surface.