Bourbon or whiskey? Bourbon is more traditional for an old fashioned, as the drink allegedly originated in Kentucky, a state famous for its bourbon. We suggest using bourbon in this recipe, but it will still be great with any whiskey variety.

Cherry juice: Since we're using maple syrup to slightly sweeten this cocktail, we'd recommend using a no sugar added cherry juice. If you prefer a sweeter cocktail, feel free to use sweetened cherry juice. We also prefer to use tart cherry juice when we can find it – it has a stronger flavor that we love.

Ice cubes: we suggest using a large square or circular ice cube for this cocktail instead of crushed or regular ice. The larger the ice cube, the slower it will melt, which will prevent this drink from getting watered down.

Storage: you can make a few batches and store in a pitcher in the refrigerator until ready to serve. Just make sure to stir well again before pouring to make sure the syrup is evenly incorporated.