Do a little traveling while relaxing at home by mixing up a Wisconsin favorite, the Brandy Old Fashioned.
Tonight’s tipple is quite a famous riff on the classic and iconic Old Fashioned. That original drink has been around since the 19th century, and is a simple mixture of whiskey, sugar, and bitters. Often cited as one of the first cocktails, it naturally inspired the creation of some tasty variations. The Brandy Old Fashioned is one of these, and has its roots in the state of Wisconsin. In fact, this recipe is often referred to as a Wisconsin Old Fashioned.
The history of this particular libation is a little muddy. For a start, nobody has been cited by name as being the inventor, nor is there a bar that can boast about being the birthplace of it. Legend says that in 1893, the Korbel brothers introduced their brandy to the world at the World’s Columbian Exposition in Chicago. Many German-born Wisconsinites were there. Impressed by the spirit and how it reminded them of their home country, they brought it back to Wisconsin and began mixing it in their cocktails. The rest is history, right?
Not necessarily. The above anecdote isn’t taken as fact, with many contesting its accuracy and some dismissing it outright. Korbel can’t find any evidence in its archive supporting this theory either. So how did Wisconsin come to love brandy so much? Another story mentions how a surplus of brandy was discovered at a time when whiskey and other spirits were of either poor quality or just hard to get.
While we ponder the mystery of why folks in Wisconsin love this cocktail so much, let’s not forget one of the main reasons… It’s delicious.
What Is The Best Brandy To Use In A Brandy Old Fashioned?
I’m going to suggest we go the traditional route with this cocktail. So let’s find ourselves a bottle of Korbel brandy. According to Korbel, more than half of their brandy output is sent to Wisconsin. And since this is easy enough to find at a great price, you can’t go wrong.
Ingredients
- 1 sugar cube
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Orange slice plus another for garnish
- Maraschino cherry plus another for garnish
- 2 ounces brandy
- Splash of club soda, 7UP, or Sprite to top
Instructions
- Place the sugar cube, bitters, orange slice, and cherry in an Old Fashioned glass and muddle until the sugar dissolves.
- Add ice to the glass and pour in the brandy.
- Top with a splash of club soda, 7UP, or Sprite and stir gently. Garnish with a fresh orange slice and cherry.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
An Old Fashioned glass is named as such for a reason. Grab one for your drink, and garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.
Lemon-lime soda or club soda?
This is up to you. The Brandy Old Fashioned is usually topped with a lemon-lime soda, such as Sprite or 7UP. That said, you can cut the calorie count a little—and the sweetness—by using club soda instead.
Brandy Old Fashioned Variations
If you love the bite of a strong Old Fashioned and enjoy exploring the different versions of them, like the Brandy Old Fashioned, then make sure you browse Twist & Toast’s collection of recipes. The few listed here are only a sampling of the versatility this cocktail has to offer.
- Smoked Old Fashioned – An atmospheric cocktail, both in taste and appearance.
- Rum Old Fashioned – Dark rum is the base spirit in this well-rounded and balanced drink.
- Oaxaca Old Fashioned – Mezcal and tequila combine for an aged and robust affair.
- Irish Old Fashioned – Smooth and bold, this poetic sipper features whiskey from the Emerald Isle.
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