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 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.
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!