Sip on the smooth and robust Wisconsin Old Fashioned on a cool evening for some satisfying warmth.
When one hears the words “old fashioned”, what do you think is conjured up? What images appear in your mind when this phrase is uttered or read? Most of us who have found ourselves here, reading about alcoholic beverages, are probably imagining a rocks glass filled with ice, whiskey, sugar and bitters… the classic cocktail we all know as the legendary Old Fashioned.
When a drink is as popular and as time-tested as the Old Fashioned, it’s bound to have a plethora of imitators, offshoots and homages. Sometimes, entirely new cocktails are born from experimenting with the formula, like the Sazerac. Tonight’s recipe was a mix of necessity and tradition when it first began to appear, as instead of being made with rye whiskey or bourbon, the Wisconsin Old Fashioned utilizes a different spirit entirely, brandy.
When the Korbel brothers showcased their brandy at the Chicago World’s Fair in 1893, a sort of domino effect began to take place. From Prohibition through post-World War II supply shortages—along with German immigrant customs—brandy soon became the go-to spirit for the Old Fashioned cocktail in Wisconsin.
What is the best brandy to use in a Wisconsin Old Fashioned?
Oddly enough, to make a traditional Wisconsin Old Fashioned, we’ll want to grab a bottle of brandy that hails from California. Korbel’s distilleries in the Golden State produce a variety of brandies aged in whiskey barrels, and any one of them will make a delicious and unforgettable Old Fashioned.
Ingredients
- 1 sugar cube
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- 2 ounces brandy
- Splash of 7UP or Squirt to taste
- 1 orange slice for garnish
- 1 maraschino cherry for garnish
Instructions
- Place the sugar cube in a sturdy rocks glass. Sprinkle the cube with the two dashes of Angostura bitters. Muddle the sugar and bitters together.
- Pour the brandy into the glass.
- Fill the glass with ice, then top it up with your choice of 7UP or Squirt. Stir gently. Garnish it with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry on top.
Nutrition
What glassware and garnish are used?
For an Old Fashioned cocktail, you’ll want to use a classic and sophisticated Old Fashioned glass or a rocks glass. Use a large ice cube and garnish with an orange slice and a maraschino cherry.
What is the best soda to use?
You can use a splash of your favorite lemon-lime or grapefruit soda, like 7UP or Squirt. Club soda can also be used. If you find yourself in America’s Dairyland, pick up some Jolly Good Soda, which carries a range of flavors like orange, grape and others, which will lend your Wisconsin Old Fashioned some extra variety and local flair.
Other Old Fashioned variations worth trying
The next time you and your friends decide to go out for a drink or two, ask the bartender if they can whip up a few different Old Fashioneds for you. Or better yet, ask them how many they can craft off the top of their head. And if they challenge you to do the same, you’ll be ready, because you’ve already explored the many varied offshoots this classic cocktail has available right here at Twist & Toast.
- Italian Old Fashioned – Some Amaro makes this cocktail an unforgettable one.
- Smoked Old Fashioned – Each sip of this atmospheric tipple has a story to tell.
- Maple Old Fashioned – A sweetened take on the classic libation.
- Oaxaca Old Fashioned – Mezcal and tequila combine in this complex and earthy concoction.
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