The perfect holiday cocktail was right in front of you the entire time

WISCONSIN (CIVIC MEDIA) At home, at a supper club, around the holidays, anytime of the year, relaxing alone, or spending time with friends – The Brandy Old Fashioned is a staple in Wisconsin. Much like your favorite holiday movie channel, where love was right in front of the person the entire time this Old Fashioned has been here…waiting….for YOU!

Before we dive into the history, mystique, and details of the Wisconsin Old Fashioned let’s mix one up right now (Sweet, of course for Adam) so we can enjoy one together while exploring the origins of this truly Wisconsin classic.

Ingredient list

Orange slices

Cherries (maraschino or cocktail)

Cherry juice (from cherry jar)

Sugar cube or granulated Sugar

Angostura bitters (available on Amazon and Walmart.com)

Brandy (I recommend V.S.O.P. or better)

Lemon lime soda (really, any brand will work – Great Value TwistUp works GREAT)

Muddler (or a wooden spoon, but really – get the muddler)

How do I do it?

It starts with fruit. In an Old Fashioned glass (rocks or lowball glass) place a couple cherries and orange slices. Add a couple dashes of bitters and the sugar. Traditionally, this is a sugar cube and Angostura bitters. If you can’t find sugar cubes, use one teaspoon of granulated table sugar. Now, muddle (mash) the fruit until the juices are released and the sugar is dissolved. 

A proper cocktail muddler is ideal for extracting maximum flavor from the cherries. If you don’t have one, the handle of a wooden spoon works in a pinch. (Do yourself a favor though, if you are going to mix a few old Fashioned’s a year – get the muddler!)

Add the ice, then pour 1/2 oz of cherry juice and the brandy over it. My PERFECT amount of brandy for each single size Old Fashioned is a shot and a splash. My son-in-law thought my unit of measurement was a bit “goofy” until he tasted my Old Fashioned and now, he is a “shot and a splash” guy.

Now for the final Wisco twist: top with a mixer. This is usually lemon-lime soda (any brand will do) for a sweet. My wife and son prefer their perfect cocktail SOUR. Simply put, replace the cherries with olives, relax on the sugar a bit, and replace lemon-lime soda with a tart soda (like Squirt).

Give your cocktail a stir or two and garnish with an orange slice and a cherry (or olive).

We are now ready to dive into the history of this splendid concoction.

The details are in the ingredients

The Brandy Old Fashioned’s history is rooted in Wisconsin, starting with German immigrants’ love for brandy and boosted by Korbel Brandy’s introduction at the 1893 Chicago World’s Fair.

During Prohibition, lower-quality spirits led to muddling fruit (orange, cherry) and adding sweeteners (soda, 7Up/Squirt) to mask harsh tastes, creating the distinct Wisconsin version that evolved into the “sweet,” “sour,” or “press” styles, becoming a supper club staple and the state’s official cocktail. 

Something NEW – Brandy Old Fashioned with Maple Syrup

The Brandy Old Fashioned with Maple Syrup is a delightful twist on the classic cocktail, offering a smooth, rich flavor profile. The syrup replaces the sugar cube. No one knows the origins of this sweet change-up, but it appears to have shown up in Wisconsin about 5 years ago and has gained traction the last year or so. I personally tried my very FIRST Maple Syrup Old Fashioned earlier this month. It was a nice change to the already near-perfect classic cocktail. I would recommend ordering one the next time you have the opportunity.

Early Origins (Pre-Prohibition)

German Influence: Many German immigrants in Wisconsin already enjoyed brandy, a tradition they brought from Europe.

1893 World’s Fair: Korbel introduced its California Brandy at the Chicago World’s Fair, and German Wisconsinites enthusiastically brought it back, establishing brandy as a popular spirit. 

The Prohibition Era & Transformation (1920s-1930s)

Necessity Breeds Invention: With good spirits scarce, people in Wisconsin used sugar, bitters, and fruit to make harsh moonshine palatable, a practice common in classic cocktails.

The “Wisconsin” Twist: The traditional Old Fashioned (whiskey, sugar, bitters) was adapted by switching to brandy, muddling fresh orange and cherry, and adding sodas like 7Up or Squirt (for “sweet” or “sour” versions) to hide unsavory flavors. It worked, and it worked well and the Wisconsin Old Fashioned was born.

Supper Club Staple (Mid-20th Century)

Social: The fruit-forward, smoother Brandy Old Fashioned became perfect for lingering over meals at Wisconsin’s iconic supper clubs, becoming a beloved tradition often shared with good stories and even better friends.

Official Recognition: The drink’s cultural importance grew so strong that the Wisconsin legislature eventually made it the state’s official cocktail. Wisconsin has two official drinks: Milk (the state beverage, designated in 1987) and the Brandy Old Fashioned (the official state cocktail, designated in 2023), a unique twist on the classic Old Fashioned using brandy instead of whiskey, is a staple in supper clubs around our state.

Modern Variations

Sweet, Sour, Press: Today, Wisconsinites order it “sweet” (lemon-lime soda), “sour” (grapefruit soda), or “press” (a mix of soda and seltzer), often with cherries, oranges, olives, or pickled garnishes – cementing its unique place in cocktail history.

Not a surprise

Did you know Wisconsin consumes the most brandy per capita in the country? Part of the reason is due to our official state cocktail, the Brandy Old Fashioned. It’s the Old Fashioned cocktail you know and love, with brandy in place of whiskey.

CHEERS TO YOU!

So, this holiday season (or any season) why not gather up some brandy, bitters, soda, oranges, and cherries and join me for the official state cocktail. No matter what part of the state you call home, I raise my tumbler to you and offer you a hearty “CHEERS”.

Now, it’s time for a sip of the really, REALLY good stuff.

---