
🍁 5 Surprising Ways to Use Maple Syrup in Summer (and Not Just on Pancakes!)
Share
When we think of maple syrup , we often imagine a Sunday brunch with fluffy pancakes , crispy waffles , and caramelized bacon . A comforting image, deeply rooted in Quebec's culinary culture .
But pure maple , especially when it is harvested by hand and boiled over a wood fire like that of Érablière Chic-Chocs , is much more than just a sweet accompaniment! With its complex aromas , woody notes and rich, deep taste , Quebec maple syrup is a real secret weapon in the kitchen , even outside of classic breakfasts.
Used intelligently, it enhances even the simplest summer recipes : BBQ marinades , homemade salad dressings , refreshing cocktails , frozen desserts or energizing smoothies . It transforms everyday dishes into local, tasty and natural experiences.
Here are 5 original and easy ways to use maple syrup in summer — and impress your friends with recipes that taste of Quebec!
🔥 1. In your BBQ marinades
Replace brown sugar or honey with pure Quebec maple syrup to transform your marinades into true flavor bombs! Thanks to its caramelized richness and natural woody notes , it brings depth, balance and a unique local touch to your grilled dishes.
Chic-Chocs maple syrup , boiled over a wood fire, pairs wonderfully with Dijon mustard , balsamic vinegar , fresh garlic or even soy sauce . An ideal combination for ribs , chicken breasts , vegetable skewers or marinated tofu .
💡 In addition to adding flavor, the natural sugar in maple helps caramelize meats on the grill, creating a golden, flavorful crust.
🥄 Quick Recipe — Maple BBQ Marinade:
- 3 tbsp Chic-Chocs pure maple syrup
- 2 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 clove of garlic, chopped
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- Freshly ground black pepper
👉 Marinate for 4 to 24 hours for ultra-tasty results.
🥗 2. In a summer vinaigrette
Looking for a salad with a twist? Add a drizzle of pure maple syrup to your homemade vinaigrette to create a delicious balance between the natural sweetness of maple and the acidity of vinegar. It's simple, local, and delicious!
Quebec maple syrup , with its woody and caramelized notes, instantly enhances summer salads: Quebec strawberries , crunchy Grenoble walnuts , creamy goat cheese ... all topped with a vinaigrette that tastes of summer.
This touch of maple also makes the vinaigrette creamier and gives it a typically Quebecois taste, perfect for impressing your guests (or simply treating yourself).
🥄 Quick Recipe — Maple Vinaigrette:
- 1 tbsp Dijon mustard
- 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
- 2 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp Chic-Chocs pure maple syrup
- Salt and pepper to taste
👉 Shake well in a mason jar or mix with a whisk — it keeps for 5 days in the fridge!
🍹 3. In your cocktails (or mocktails)
Pure maple syrup isn't just for breakfast! It also works wonders in your homemade cocktails and summer mocktails . Used as a substitute for simple syrup (sugar + water mix), Quebec maple adds a woody, subtly caramelized touch that gives character to every sip.
Whether you're a whiskey, mocktail, or fruity drink lover, maple adapts to every style. It's the little secret ingredient that takes your cocktail from good... to wow!
🍸 Homemade Recipe — Maple Cocktail:
- 1.5 oz of Quebec whisky
- 0.5 oz Chic-Chocs pure maple syrup
- 2 dashes of bitter (angostura type)
- Ice
- An orange zest for garnish
Preparation :
Mix everything in a shaker with ice, then serve in an old-fashioned glass. Simple, elegant, and 100% local.
🧊 Alcohol-free version:
- Homemade lemonade
- 1 tbsp maple syrup
- Fresh mint leaves
- Ice cubes + lemon slice
👉 Perfect for BBQs, picnics or Quebec-style happy hours.
🍦 4. On frozen desserts
Want to transform a simple dessert into a restaurant-worthy treat? Replace melted caramel or chocolate with a generous drizzle of pure Quebec maple syrup . Its rich, woody, and slightly smoky flavor adds a gourmet, local, and refined touch to any frozen dessert.
Chic-Chocs maple , with its natural flavors, pairs perfectly with dairy products, fresh fruit, and ice cream. It's the magic ingredient for quick, no-bake, and 100% delicious desserts.
🍨 Quick maple ideas:
- A scoop of vanilla ice cream topped with maple syrup
- A bowl of Greek yogurt , berries and a dash of maple
- A pear sorbet with lemon zest and warm syrup
- Fresh raspberries with a chilled maple coulis
👉 It's fresh, naturally sweet, and totally decadent—no additives, no guilt.
💥 5. As a “boost” in your smoothies
Need a boost to kick-start your day? Simply add a spoonful of pure Quebec maple syrup to your morning smoothie. It not only enhances the taste, but also provides a natural energy boost , free from processed foods and refined sugars.
Chic-Chocs Maple Syrup , rich in antioxidants , essential minerals and natural carbohydrates , acts as a gentle, long-lasting fuel for the body—perfect before a hike, a workout or a big day at work.
🥤 Smoothie suggestion — Maple Morning Energy:
- 1 ripe banana
- ½ cup of Quebec strawberries
- 1 cup oat milk (or milk of your choice)
- 1 tbsp Chic-Chocs pure maple syrup
- Ice cubes (optional)
- Chia or flax seeds (bonus!)
👉 Blend it all together, pour, and enjoy. It's fast, local, nutritious—and delicious.
🍁 Why choose Chic-Chocs maple syrup?
When you choose pure maple syrup , you deserve more than just great taste—you deserve a story, an authentic method, and uncompromising quality. At Érablière Chic-Chocs , every drop of our syrup tells the story of our land, our family, and our passion.
Here's what makes our syrup truly unique :
🌲 Boiled over a fire — the old-fashioned way, for a rich and complex taste, faithful to Quebec's artisanal traditions
🏔 Produced in small quantities , in the heights of the Chic-Chocs mountains , where the air is pure and the maple water even more so
🍁 100% natural, no additives, no preservatives , just the essentials: maple water, fire, and time
💛 Made with love , by a passionate family , who live and breathe maple throughout the seasons
When you choose Chic-Chocs , you are supporting a local Quebec product , respectful of nature, bottled by hand and designed to enhance your daily life — from breakfast to dessert, including BBQ, smoothies and even cocktails!
👉 Ready to try?
👉 Ready to taste summer, maple style?
Discover our BBQ, brunch, or hiking boxes, delivered everywhere in Quebec!
[Order here] 🔗 SEE OUR PRODUCTS