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From Friday fish fries to supper clubs, the Wisconsin drink of choice is a Brandy Old Fashioned. Here’s the authentic recipe for the Wisconsin twist on this famous classic cocktail.
In 1893, during the Chicago World’s Fair, Korbel brandy was introduced to the crowd. German immigrants (many from Wisconsin) loved the brand because it tasted more like what they were used to drinking in Europe.
It took off. By the 1920s and 30s, the drink of choice was this one right here, made without whiskey and served sweet, sour, or “press” style. Just like Beer Brats, Booyah, and Kringle, this cocktail is pure Badger State tradition.
Table of Contents
Recipe ingredients
Ingredient notes
- Maraschino cherry juice: Or grenadine. Grenadine is made from pomegranate juice, but it tastes delicious as well.
- Sugar cubes: You can find sugar cubes in the baking aisle at the grocery store. Or, substitute 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar per sugar cube.
- Bitters: Angostura is a popular brand and they last forever in the pantry. Orange bitters work really well in this drink, too.
- Grapefruit soda: Squirt is the most common national brand, but grab 50/50 (by Canfield’s) if you ever see it!
Step-by-step instructions
- In the bottom of a rocks glass, add one orange slice (peel and all), cherry juice, sugar cube, and 4-6 dashes of bitters. Muddle well.
- Fill the glass with ice cubes, then measure out the brandy and pour over the ice.
- Top with soda, then garnish with an extra orange slice and cherry.
Recipe tips and variations
- Yield: This recipe makes 1 cocktail, and it tastes the best when it is crafted one cocktail at a time.
- No muddler: Use the handle of a wooden spoon or just stir it all together. Or use a little homemade simple syrup which is already dissolved.
- Old Fashioned Sweet: Instead of the grapefruit soda, top off the drink with your favorite lemon-lime soda (Think 7UP or Sprite).
- Old Fashioned Press: Pour half lemon-lime soda, and half soda water. This makes it less sweet, but still tingly and refreshing.
- Whiskey: To enjoy a version closer to the one “folks from out of town” make, substitute your favorite bourbon or whiskey.
- Classic Wisconsin garnishes: Besides the orange wheel and cherry, this drink can sometimes be garnished with some seriously funky stuff: pickled green beans, olives, pickled mushrooms, and even pickled Brussels sprouts. Then you KNOW you’re in Wisconsin!
More classic cocktails
Cocktail Recipes
Whiskey Sour
Cocktail Recipes
Paloma Cocktail
Drink Recipes
Bloody Marys
Breakfast Recipes
Mimosa
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Brandy Old Fashioned
From Friday fish fries to supper clubs, the Wisconsin drink of choice is a Brandy Old Fashioned. Here's the authentic recipe for the Wisconsin twist on this famous classic cocktail.
Ingredients
- 2 orange slices divided, 1 reserved for garnish
- 1 teaspoon maraschino cherry juice (see note 1)
- 1 sugar cube (see note 2)
- 4-6 dashes Angostura bitters (see note 3)
- 1 ½ ounces brandy (3 tablespoons)
- Ice
- grapefruit soda (Squirt, see note 4)
- 1 maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions
- In the bottom of a rocks glass, muddle 1 orange slice, cherry juice, sugar cube and bitters.
- Fill glass with ice. Pour brandy over ice. Top with soda and garnish with an orange slice and cherry.
Recipe Video
Notes
- Maraschino cherry juice: Or grenadine. Grenadine is made from pomegranate juice, but it tastes delicious as well.
- Sugar cubes: You can find sugar cubes in the baking aisle at the grocery store. Or, substitute 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar per sugar cube.
- Bitters: Angostura is a popular brand and they last forever in the pantry. Orange bitters work really well in this drink, too.
- Grapefruit soda: Squirt is the most common national brand, but grab 50/50 (by Canfield’s) if you ever see it!
- Yield: This recipe makes 1 cocktail, and it tastes the best when it is crafted one cocktail at a time.
- No muddler: Use the handle of a wooden spoon or just stir it all together. Or use a little homemade simple syrup which is already dissolved.
- Old Fashioned Sweet: Instead of the grapefruit soda, top off the drink with your favorite lemon-lime soda (Think 7UP or Sprite).
- Old Fashioned Press: Pour half lemon-lime soda, and half soda water. This makes it less sweet, but still tingly and refreshing.
- Whiskey: To enjoy a version closer to the one “folks from out of town” make, substitute your favorite bourbon or whiskey.
- Classic Wisconsin garnishes: Besides the orange wheel and cherry, this drink can sometimes be garnished with some seriously funky stuff: pickled green beans, olives, pickled mushrooms, and even pickled Brussels sprouts. Then you KNOW you’re in Wisconsin!
Nutrition
Serving: 1cocktailCalories: 156kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 47mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 59IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 10mg
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Meggan Hill is a classically-trained chef and professional writer. Her meticulously-tested recipes and detailed tutorials bring confidence and success to home cooks everywhere. Meggan has been featured on NPR, HuffPost, FoxNews, LA Times, and more.
Reminds me of supper clubs in Wisconsin. I live in Michigan now, but I definitely miss those Old Fashions. This article takes me back and the recipe is just right.
Thank you, William! – Meggan