Other Classic Cocktails You May Enjoy
If youre loving the brandy old fashioned and want to up your mixology game by getting into some other classic cocktails that blend simple flavors in complementary fashions, here are some you may enjoy:
This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. .
Greg
Friday 2nd of July 2021
You can take it up a notch by using luxardo cherries to garnish along with blood orange slices. I muddle maraschino cherries with an orange slice from a peeled orange together with a splash of simple syrup and bitters. My syrup has water, sugar, bitters, and orange peel that is boiled until the peel is saturated. I then cool the simple syrup for bar use and add the orange peel to melted sugar to candy it. That becomes part of the garnish. I also make my own bitters but that’s another topic 🙂 . The creation of the drink becomes the art of the show! Starting with a basic Old Fashioned, it’s fun to experiment!
Sarah Ozimek
Drink Like You’re In Wisconsin
How do you drink a brandy old-fashioned like a true Wisconsinite? Korbel brandy is almost always poured in the state, so that’s a good start. Some people prefer plain seltzer, though the lemon-lime sodas are a favorite.
Also, because bartenders mix up so many of these, many create a mix called “bug juice” to save time. Essentially, they’re creating a ready-to-pour mixture of sugar, water, and bittersforegoing the muddle completely.
While that’s a good adaptation in a busy bar, home bartenders will find that making the brandy old-fashioned according to this recipe an easier way to go. It does not take much time at all and in a few minutes, you will have a great drink. Though everyone in Wisconsin may put their personal spin on the drink, this recipe is accepted as authentic.
How To Make A Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned
Muddle the flavors. In an old fashioned glass, muddle an orange slice, maraschino cherry with a little bit of grenadine from the jar, sugar cube and a few dashes of bitters. Traditionally, Angostura bitters are used, but you can use another flavor if you want.
Add brandy and ice. On top of your muddled ingredients, add in 1 jigger of brandy . Stir the liquor around, and fill your glass with ice.
Top it off and garnish. Read below to find out how we customize and garnish a brandy old fashioned in Wisconsin.
Read Also: What’s The Difference Between Bourbon And Whiskey
Is A Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet
Like my apple cider old fashioned, a brandy old fashioned is definitely on the sweeter end of the cocktail spectrum, and I think thats why people find it so alluring. They go down very easy , so be careful!
Unlike my rosemary cocktail, which is sweetened with simple syrup, or my honey old fashioned which is, of course, sweetened with honey, the sweetness in a brandy old fashioned comes from a variety of sources.
Theres the marascino cherries PLUS some of the juice from the cherry jar. Theres the orange slice . Theres the sugar cube. And then theres the lemon-lime soda.
If all of this is TOO sweet for you , feel free to just omit the sugar cube. I often do that, and enjoy it just as well that way.
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Made with cherry juice and garnished with Luxardo cherries, this drink is filled with cherry flavor without being overly sweet.
This brandy old fashioned is a delicious spin on a traditional cocktail for those who don’t like whiskey but still want a “brown alcohol” sipper.
Cherry + brandy are a match made in heaven and the orange brings every together perfectly. One sip and you will be in love.
Don’t Miss: What To Mix With Tequila
How To Make A Brandy Old Fashioned
Todays brandy old fashioned recipe is based on the Madison bar I believe pours the very best, a restaurant appropriately named The Old Fashioned.
Ive watched many brandy old fashioneds here, and after a good amount of at-home experimentation, I believe Ive nailed their version of an old fashioned press with Korbel.
Whats A Wisconsin Old Fashioned
The Wisconsin Old Fashioned is the states variation on the classic Old Fashioned cocktail, with brandy and lemon lime soda. The typical Old Fashioned recipe uses bourbon mixed with a muddled sugar cube and bitters. So where did the brandy Old Fashioned come from?
Heres the theory! A company of brothers debuted their Korbel brandy at the Worlds Fair in 1893 in Chicago, which lots of Wisconsinites attended. A large percentage of Wisconsin at the time was German, and Germans preferred brandy over bourbon. Korbel brandy become a hit, and birthed this states funky variation on the classic cocktail. To this day, the drink is often served with Korbel brandy! The ingredients in a Wisconsin Old Fashioned are:
Recommended Reading: Brandi Carlile At The Gorge 2021
What To Serve With Brandy Old Fashioneds:
Well, if youre drinking like you live in the Midwest, you may as well eat like you live here, too. And us Midwesterners love pizza. Try a cheeseburger pizza or chicken pizza.
Or, if you just want a few little nibbles during happy hour, my phyllo cup appetizers and spicy potato chips both make great pairings for this drink.
And dont forget to say a few opes while youre drinking. You cant be an honorary Midwesterner without muttering this non-word several times a day.
Dont know what I mean? Check out the School of Ope.
About Brandy Old Fashioneds
An old fashioned is a cocktail that has been around since the 19th century but was tragically missing from my life until I moved to Wisconsin.
While I cant speak for the rest of the state, in Madison, old fashioneds are a big deal. No matter which bar you enter, chances are that they pour a good one.
While there are a few ways to order an old fashioned, most begin with:
- A sugar cube muddled with bitters, maraschino cherries, and orange
- AND a generous pour of booze
Also Check: What To Mix Tequila With Low Calorie
How To Make A Brandy Old Fashioned:
Just like my basil cocktail, this is a muddled drink.
In a double old fashioned glass , muddle the cherries, cherry juice, orange slice, sugar and bitters until everything is crushed and somewhat blended together.
Add the brandy and stir until everything is well combined and the sugar completely dissolves into the brandy.
Fill your glass with ice, and then top everything off with lemon-lime soda .
This Brandy Old Fashioned Recipe Is A Classic In The Midwest
In the Season 3, Episode 3 episode, My Old Kentucky Home, Don meets Conrad Hilton at an unattended bar during a party he really doesnt want to be at.
Don ends up making him and Connie old fashioneds. He muddles the cherry and the orange, adds some sort of brown liquor, but then . . . tops it with soda.
Id never heard of an old fashioned that included soda, so I Googled it. Turns out that what Don made looks a lot like a brandy old fashioned, which is a classic cocktail in the Midwest, and especially Wisconsin.
Many people even claim that the brandy old fashioned is the official drink of Wisconsin!
Well, you know me. Im a Midwesterner at heart with an affinity for a Midwest potato salad recipe and making my lasagna with cottage cheese, so brandy old fashioneds swiftly made it into the cocktail rotation at my house.
Don’t Miss: What Whiskey Goes With Ginger Ale
Brandy Old Fashioned Cocktail Recipe
How Do You Dissolve Sugar In An Old Fashioned? Put the sugar cube at the bottom of the Old Fashioned glass and soak it in Aromatic Bitters for four to six dashes . Pour some water into the bitters and add the sugar while muddled. Sugar should only be dissolved in a small amount of water.
How to Stick to Healthy Eating Resolutions for the New Year 13 Easy Ingredient Swaps for Healthier Cooking Easy Low Sugar Breakfast Recipes to Start Your Day Off Right
Directions. Put the sugar cube along with the Angostura bitters, cherries soaked in brandy and orange slices into a lo ball short tumbler. Muddle those ingredients together. Top the glass with ice. Add the brandy and top off the drink with lemon and lime soda. Stir to combine.
Brandy Old-Fashioned. 2 oz Cooper River Distillers Copper & Vine brandy 2 dashes aromatic bitters 1 sugar cube 1 half of a thickly cut orange wheel 1 high-quality preserved cherry. Place all the ingredients except the brandy into an old-fashioned glass. Muddle the contents into a paste, but avoid crushing the bitter pith and peel of the orange.
Popular Muddled Rum Cocktails. Among the most famous rum recipes that need to be muddled are these three shining stars of the cocktail world. Caipirinha cachaca with muddled lime and sugar. Hot Buttered Rum dark rum with muddled butter, sugar, and spices. Mojito rum with muddled mint, sugar, and club soda.
Brandy Old Fashioned For A Crowd
Heads up: This post contains affiliate links, which means that if you decide to purchase any items, I may make a commission at no cost to you. I only endorse products I know and love!
If you are a lover of this iconic cocktail, try it Wisconsin-style. Better yet, make a pitcher of Brandy Old Fashioned for a crowd at your next party!
I was born and raised in Wisconsin, and I didnt realize how popular brandy was in the state until I moved away. Suddenly, I was making friends who had never consumed brandy at all, and if they had, it was the ~fancy~ brandy. But why is brandy so popular in my home state? Our neighbors in Minnesota and Illinois arent huge fans. The preferred brand, Korbel, is in California. So, what gives?
The Chicago Worlds Fair in 1893 shone a light on a lot of foods and beverages from around the country. Pabst Blue Ribbon was made famous here and Vienna Beef sausages became a thing. California-based Korbel brought over some brandy, and much preferred over anything imported. . After tasting a few cocktails with this grape-based spirit, the Wisconsinites brought the tradition back with them and havent looked back. In fact, Korbel ships anywhere from to ½ of its total brandy production straight to the state of Wisconsin.
Read Also: Don Ramon Reposado Tequila Price
Tell Me About: Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioneds
Level of difficulty: Easy to moderate. Making the perfect Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet isnt difficult, but if you dont have basic cocktail gear , youll have to improvise a bit.
Flavor: Two main flavors shine through this classic cocktail: boozy brandy and sweet fruit.
Texture: Smooth with a crisp fizz from the lemon-lime soda.
Time: From start-to-finish, it will take you approximately five minutes to mix up this Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned recipe.
Wisconsin Old Fashioned Recipe
If you get to searching, there are many many different ways to make an Old Fashioned. But, in Wisconsin, this recipe is often considered a classic. Plus, its the one I happen to like best!
Plus, its super easy to make with these easy steps:
Take a quick peak below to see how we do it:
I mentioned that there are a number of ways to make an old fashioned, but I would say these four are the most common:
- Sour Made with Sour Mix, Squirt or 50/50
- Sweet Made with 7UP or Sprite
- Press Made with Seltzer and a Lemon/Lime
- Soda Made with Seltzer
Recommended Reading: Where Is Svedka Vodka From
The Beauty Of An Old Fashioned Lies In Its Simplicity
It consists of brandy, a couple sweeteners, and a little bit of love, by which we mean muddling. Theyve been a Wisconsin staple for generations and figure to stay that way far into the future. Theyre right at home at taverns and tailgates, bowling alleys and bingo halls. And, of course, the best place of all: your drinking hand.
Tasty Apple Cider Old
Allison is a bartender & mixologist who served drinks in Boston & New Hampshire, creating craft cocktails. She also served as a cocktails writer and editor for Casual Mixologist.
Learn about our Editorial Policy.
Recommended Reading: Camus Vsop Intensely Aromatic Cognac
Why We Love A Brandy Old Fashioned In Wisconsin
From these unconventional brandy old fashioned cocktails to chicken booyah and deep fried cheese curds, there are so many awesome traditions that make our state unique.
A traditional old fashioned cocktail uses whiskey, but in Wisconsin, theyre commonly made with brandy. The reasons arent really clear, since most of this sort of stuff gets lost to history.
Popular theories are that brandy was more familiar to German immigrants and that brandy was more readily available during prohibition times, but Ill leave the historical internet research to you. Just know that you can order your old fashioned with either brandy or whiskey and no one will think twice about it.
Another thing that makes a Wisconsin old fashioned different than its more widespread counterpart is the wash. A wash is basically when you add soda or seltzer to a cocktail after mixing it. Ive described the different ways we use this wash below, and you can choose whichever option you like best.
Bitters Orange And Cherries
We add two to three dashes of bitters. Our standby is Angostura bitters, but one look in a well stocked store or online proves there are lots to experiment with.
Depending on who makes it, the amount of fruit added to an Old Fashioned varies. Weve seen everything from multiple slices of orange and an abundance of cherries muddled together then served in the glass to an Old Fashioned with no fruit whatsoever.
We like somewhere in between. A 2-inch piece of orange or blood orange peel and a cherry and were happy.
If were feeling feisty, well go for a flaming orange twist. To do it, take a coin-sized slice of orange peel , squeeze it between your fingers and light a match or lighter next to it .
The oils will spark and flame out. If you do all of this close to or over the glass, a toasted orange aroma will fall down over the drink. We dont add the flamed peel to the drink, but rubbing the flamed peel around the rim of the glass is a nice touch.
The flavor and aroma of the drink really changes and while we dont do this all the time, its fun to experience the difference.
Also Check: What Is The Difference Between Gold And Silver Tequila
Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned Cocktails
What is a Brandy Old-fashioned
What is a Brandy Old Fashioned?
Whiskey Cocktail Original Classic Old Fashioned
- 1/2 teaspoon Refined Sugar or one Sugar Cube
- 2-3 dashes Angostura Bitters
- 1 tablespoon Water
- 2 oz. whiskey, bourbon or rye
First you are going to put the first three ingredients in an old fashioned glass . Crush the sugar with your muddler. Add a small amount of ice and stir. Then sit and sip.
Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned
Brandy Old Fashioned Recipe
To make a Brandy Old Fashioned, add a sugar cube to an Old Fashioned or rocks glass. Add a few dashes of bitters along with a cherry and a splash of cherry juice. Toss in an orange slice and a splash of lemon lime soda. Muddle the ingredients and top with ice. Add brandy and mix. Top with lemon lime soda and enjoy!
Recommended Reading: Where Can You Buy Whiskey Barrels
Also Check: What Do You Mix With Raspberry Vodka
Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet Or Sour
In Wisconsin, the default way to make a Brandy Old Fashioned is with a splash of Sprite or 7-up, making it sweet.
But, dont think you have to stop there.
You can also make it with sour mix or a sour soda , making it sour. You can get fancy, and make it press, with a combination of 7-up and seltzer. Or, you can skip all the fanciness and simply add seltzer.
Dont Forget To Garnish
While the bubbly filler is up to your discretion, the orange and cherry garnish for a Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned is non-negotiable.
In fact, to give a bit of added fruit flavor to the drink, some bartenders will muddle orange slices and cherries with the bitters and sugar. Thats how we prefer ours and the way weve crafted our recipe below.
If you dont have a muddler, dont worry. Just mix the drink without muddling and simply squeeze the orange slice you use for garnish into the drink for that extra splash of flavor.
Cheers!
Don’t Miss: How Do You Make Whiskey
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 .
- 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 youre in Wisconsin!
Also Check: Big Texas Beer Fest 2022