It’s March and you know what that means—it’s maple month! If you haven’t experienced maple sugaring in the Lakes Region, you’re missing out on some major magic. Once the sap starts flowing the beer, wine, cocktails, and maple treats follow suit! We’ve compiled a list of some of the yummiest local maple offerings and, to satisfy your sweet tooth, some recipes you can whip up at home.

Maple on the Menu: Patrick’s Pub

Patrick’s Pub is adding a seasonal twist to their Vegan Buddha bowl. A maple tahini dressing tops this nutrient-packed bowl of beets, broccoli, baby spinach, and sunflower seeds over brown rice and quinoa. With this delicious, healthy option you can enjoy sweet maple flavors with a lower calorie count.

Calorie-conscious readers look away, it’s comfort food time! Also on the Patrick’s Pub menu, an 8oz Angus Vermont Cheddar Burger. This delectable burger is topped with cheddar cheese, bacon, Guinness caramelized onions, and a maple mayonnaise.

Both of these dishes feature McClure’s of New England maple syrup from Littleton, NH.

Order Curbside

Maple Mixology: Two Sap House Meadery Cocktails

Sap House Meadery has created their own maple staple to celebrate the season. Their off-dry Sugar Maple Mead offers notes of apples, flowers, and caramel making it the perfect pairing for maple-forward flavors. Below, they’ve served up two of their favorite cocktail recipes featuring this unique mead.

The Perfect Storm
This is perfect if you’re in the mood for a Dark & Stormy. In fact, this version may even become your preference as it’s very easy to make!

Ingredients:

• 1 part Sugar Maple Mead
• 1 part Maine Root Ginger Brew (any ginger beer or ale will do the trick, but we prefer the local stuff!)
• Ice
• 1 lime wedge

Instructions:
Mix over ice, add your lime wedge, and serve!

Jalapeño Face
A little sweet, a little spicy—this refreshing drink is sure to simmer away your winter blues!

Ingredients:

• Ice
• 4 oz Sugar Maple Mead
• 1 oz Jalapeño Shrub
• Mr. Q Cumber Soda
• 1 lime wedge

Instructions:
Fill a pint glass with ice. Pour Sugar Maple Mead and Jalapeño shrub over ice, then fill with Mr. Q Cucumber Soda. Garnish with a lime wedge and serve!

Tasting is Believing

Tap Into Maple at Prescott Farm

Looking for an authentic New England maple syrup making experience? Join us at Prescott Farm on March 20 from 10:00AM to 3:00PM and get an inside look at the entire syrup making process from tapping a tree to tasting the final product. Learn tree identification skills, the parts of a tree and their functions, maple making history, and more from our environmental educators.

Tap In

Make Woodstock Inn Brewery’s Country Maple Porter Sausage Penne

Maple, craft beer, and sausage lovers unite! This hearty meal made with Woodstock’s own Kanc Country Maple Porter is a real crowd-pleaser that serves four.

Ingredients:

• 1 lb Sausage
• 1/2 pint grape tomatoes
• 1/2 bunch of asparagus, cut into 2 inch pieces
• 1 1/2 lb. penne pasta
• 1 TBSP garlic, diced
• 1/2 cup Kanc Country Maple Porter
• 2 TBSP Butter
• 1 bunch of scallions, diced
• Parmesan cheese

Instructions:

1. Crumble sausage into frying pan and cook until browned.
2. Add asparagus and after 1-2 minutes, add grape tomatoes and garlic until tomatoes break open.
3. Deglaze pan with Maple Porter and add butter until blended.
4. Toss with cooked penne pasta.
5. Garnish with scallions and parmesan cheese and serve!

Cruise Their Brews

Maple Mixology: O Steaks & Seafood, Magic Foods

We may all be hoping that winter doesn’t rear its blustery head until next year. But, if (or when) a March flurry hits, never fear—just whip up the Nor’easter cocktail. It’s a perfect post-shoveling libation to sip while you wish for warmer days ahead!

Nor’easter

Ingredients:

• 1 ½ oz bourbon
• ½ oz lime juice
• ½ oz maple syrup
• Ice
• Ginger beer
• Lime wheel for garnish

Instructions: Add bourbon, lime juice, and maple syrup to a shaker. Shake and pour over ice. Top with ginger beer and garnish with a lime wheel.

Order from O’s

Celebrate Maple Day at the Mt. Kearsarge Indian Museum!

Feel like New Hampshire’s maple celebration deserves a dedicated day? We agree! For the maple-obsessed, make your way to the Mt. Kearsarge Indian museum on Saturday, March 20 from 10:00AM to 4:00PM for an outdoor maple-making demonstration. Soak up the history of this time-honored craft and go home with your very own bottle (or bottles, no judgement) of the sweet stuff.

Maple Day Details

*Please confirm details with business/attractions prior to visiting due to possible COVID-19 restrictions.