Wisconsin Old Fashioned Recipe - Sweetphi (2024)

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In today’s post we’re taking a classic co*cktail, The ‘Old Fashioned’ and are putting a Wisconsin twist on it to create one delicious co*cktail known as a classic Wisconsin Old Fashioned.

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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, it’s the one I happen to like best!

Plus, it’s super easy to make with these easy steps:

  1. Start by muddling a cherry, sugar cube, orange slices and bitters
  2. Add brandy and ice.
  3. Top with a splash of 50/50 or Squirt soda

Take a quick peak below to see how we do it:

Wisconsin Old Fashioned Recipe - Sweetphi (2)

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

If you’re really curious to learn more, check out this article on Jeffrey Morgenthaler .

Wisconsin Old Fashioned Recipe - Sweetphi (3)

What ingredients do I need to make a Wisconsin old fashioned?

  • Sugar
  • Cherry
  • Oranges
  • Bitters
  • Brandy
  • 50-50 or Squirt

Wisconsin Old Fashioned Recipe - Sweetphi (4)

One of the most important steps is the very first one – muddling. You really want to make sure you press the cherries and oranges enough to release their tasty juices! They blend together wonderfully with the sugar and create the perfect start to this Wisconsin old fashioned recipe.

Wisconsin Old Fashioned Recipe - Sweetphi (5)

Once you’ve created the perfect co*cktail, it’s time to top it off with a beautiful garnish. I mean, how beautiful do these co*cktails look!?

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And, if you just can’t quite get enough with all of the variations of the old fashioned, there is one more must-try variation to try:5 ingredient apple cider old fashioned.

So, next time (or for your first time) how will you order your Old Fashioned?

Wisconsin Old Fashioned Recipe - Sweetphi (7)

Wisconsin Old Fashioned Recipe

The old fashioned is a classic Wisconsin co*cktail and this recipe is a great way to try it!

4.50 from 12 votes

Print Rate

Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes

Total Time: 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 1 drink

Ingredients

  • 1.5 oz. Brandy or about one shot
  • 1 tsp. Sugar
  • 1 Orange Slice
  • 2 Cherries and their juices
  • Dash of bitters 1 dropper full - 10 drops
  • Top the glass off with 50/50 or Squirt Soda
  • Ice Cubes

Instructions

  • In a co*cktail glass muddle sugar, orange slice, cherries and bitters, add shot of brandy and stir.

    Wisconsin Old Fashioned Recipe - Sweetphi (8)

  • Add ice to fill the glass, then top it off with 50/50 or Squirt Soda and enjoy!

    Wisconsin Old Fashioned Recipe - Sweetphi (9)

Notes

The nutrition information presented on this site should be considered an estimate as the calculations will change based on the exact products you use in your own kitchen.

Nutrition

Calories: 134kcal | Carbohydrates: 9g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 60mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 39IU | Vitamin C: 8mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg

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Wisconsin Old Fashioned Recipe - Sweetphi (13)

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Comments

  1. kosta consulting says

    wow so pretty!!

    Reply

    • Sweetphi says

      So glad you like it! Thank you for commenting.

      Reply

  2. Ruth says

    Wisconsin Old Fashioned Recipe - Sweetphi (14)
    This is excellent. Growing up in WI I find I miss these drinks now that I havent lived there fir years. I am in FL now. When I ordered one a long time ago a bartender laughed at me and said there was no such thing as a brandy old fashioned sour. I can make you an old fashioned, but I can’t sour it.
    I told him off but unfortunately at the time I didn’t know how to make one so I settled for a soft drink.

    Reply

    • Sweetphi says

      I’m so happy you enjoyed this recipe, thank you for sharing that story!! My husband said he also didn’t know it was a WI thing until he tried to order one out of state and they didn’t know what it was (haha). Now we make these for friends all the time, they’re so good!!

      Reply

  3. Mary A Berray says

    One sugar cube crushed in 3 drops of bitters, then add a jigger of Brady (a good brand). Add 1/2 teaspoon of cherry syrup or juice. Finish with some ice cubes, 50/50 and c couple of green olives with pimento. This the way I made it since the late 1960’s. Still love them today

    Reply

    • Sweetphi says

      Thank you for sharing Mary 🙂

      Reply

  4. Sue says

    Phi – A good Wisconsin girl! Yeah! I grew up in Wisconsin and haven’t lived there for many years (too many to mention). I still visit family and friends occasionally. There are no Brandy Old Fashioneds anywhere in the Universe like in Wisconsin. My alma mater was UW-Madison, so I drank my share. Just last weekend, I asked my son to make me one and although he had a recipe, he just didn’t do it justice (which is what brings me to your site). I will be putting your recipe to good use tonight and really looking forward to it. Go Badgers!!!!!!!

    Reply

    • Sweetphi says

      Thank you so much for your sweet comment Sue!! So glad you found my site, my husband went to UW-Madison and made me fall in love with Old Fashioneds, and you’re so right they don’t do them justice in other places around the world.

      Reply

  5. Raymond says

    I am going to try your recipe this weekend during the Packer game (hope it’s good).
    I have been drinking Old Fashions since the 60’S. I left WI for 27 years and know am back home, while in CA. I could not find anyone who could make an old fashion. Back in the 60’s they did not destroy the cherry (muddled). I hate the cherry muddled. But Wisconsin and Ill seem to be the only states that know how to make a good brandy old fashion.

    Reply

    • Sweetphi says

      I think you’ll love this recipe, my husband makes it all the time 🙂

      Reply

  6. Victoria says

    Yum! This looks amazing.

    xoxo,
    Victoria

    Reply

    • Sweetphi says

      Thanks for the sweet comment, I just had my husband make me one of these bad boys last night 🙂

      Reply

  7. Karis says

    I really like Bittercube’s bitters. I picked up two the last time I was in Wisconsin but haven’t tried their orange one yet. p.s. I second Erin’s recommendation. The Old Fashioned in Madison is great, especially their cheese curds!

    Reply

    • Sweetphi says

      Anything involving cheese curds…sign me up! lol! Since Madison is only a little over an hour away, I’m definitely going to need to check out this restaurant!

      Reply

  8. Samina | The Cupcake Confession says

    Whoa whoa!!!!!!!!!!! This co*cktail is calling my name!!!!!!!! Loving the flavors here!!!!! *-* Perfect for the scorching summer heat here!

    Reply

    • Sweetphi says

      You’re so right Samina, this is PERFECT for the summer heat! Thanks for commenting girl!

      Reply

  9. Ashley says

    Some awesome hand modeling there : ) And this drink sounds fantastic – I don’t make co*cktails nearly enough!

    Reply

    • Sweetphi says

      I totally agree, I don’t make co*cktails nearly enough! I think I’m also going to tell the hubby he has a new job calling lol

      Reply

  10. cheri says

    What a beautiful little drink Phi, sounds delicious, had no ides there were so many different ways to fix this drink, By the way received the envelope. Thank you very much!

    Reply

    • Sweetphi says

      I know, it’s it crazy how many different ways there are to make the Old Fashioned? Before looking into it I had no idea!And yay, glad you received it!

      Reply

  11. Erin | The Law Student's Wife says

    Yes yes yes YES!!!! This co*cktail was instrumental in helping me adjust to (and fall for) life in WI. Love seeing it shared here! (PS. Ben and my favorite restaurant is called “The Old Fashioned” too. Further proof that we are going to be friends 😉 )

    Reply

    • Sweetphi says

      This drink totally had the same effect on me girl! That is super cool that your guys’ favorite restaurant is called ‘the Old Fashioned’ let the friendship begin- although I feel it already has begun 🙂

      Reply

Trackbacks

  1. […] with maraschino cherry ice. This recipe can be made with a variety of liquors and either sweet or sour soda. A splash of ice, a splash of vodka, and a splash of Southern Comfort will complete the drink. To a […]

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  2. […] If you’re from Wisconsin, you know how particular people are about their old fashioneds, so I always love to hear when people enjoy my recipe for a Wisconsin brandy old fashioned sour […]

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  3. […] Do a virtual cheers to start the night off! As a host, you can even send a recipe for a themed co*cktail for everyone to make (we just keep it simple with a Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned Sour […]

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  4. […] Brandy Old Fashioned Sour, how to make a Brandy Old Fashioned Recipe here: http://www.sweetphi.com/; […]

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  5. […] Brandy Old Fashioned Sour, how to make a Brandy Old Fashioned Recipe here: http://www.sweetphi.com/; […]

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  6. […] recognize from my forays into hand modeling occasionally featured on this blog (see here, here and here to name a few). Phi has asked me to write the introduction to this blog post/recipe because I […]

    Reply

  7. […] you see in the photo above (I have been meaning to tell him I think he missed his calling as a hand model […]

    Reply

  8. […] I’ve posted two drink recipes this week (the Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned Sour and Starbucks Iced Coffee Copycat), I’m in the mood for all things drink related. […]

    Reply

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Wisconsin Old Fashioned Recipe - Sweetphi (2024)

FAQs

What is the difference between an old fashioned and an old fashioned in Wisconsin? ›

For the unfamiliar, the old fashioned co*cktail in just about every place other than Wisconsin is traditionally made with a whiskey, like bourbon, sugar and bitters. But in Wisconsin, brandy usually replaces whiskey — and it's most often poured over a mixture of muddled cherries, orange slices, sugar and bitters.

What's the difference between sweet and sour old fashioned? ›

'Sweet' is with 7-Up, 'sour' is with Squirt soda or pre-packaged sour mix, and 'press' is half 7-Up, half club soda,” says Brian Bartels, author of The United States of co*cktails, and owner of Settle Down Tavern in Madison. “Most people opt for 'sweet' or 'press.

What brandy is best for old fashioned drinks? ›

Brandy Old-Fashioned Tips

In most bars, these co*cktails are made with Korbel brandy.

What is the official co*cktail of Wisconsin? ›

Lawmakers in Wisconsin have passed a resolution declaring the state's official co*cktail: the brandy old fashioned.

How to order a normal old fashioned in Wisconsin? ›

If you're ordering an Old Fashioned in Wisconsin, brandy sweet is the correct answer. That's because the Brandy Old Fashioned is the (un)official co*cktail of Wisconsin.

What is the best alcohol to make an Old Fashioned with? ›

A classic Old Fashioned co*cktail calls for rye whiskey or bourbon. We like to stick with reliable, mid-range bottles. Four Roses is a fantastic everyday choice, especially for the price. Bulleit is popular, too (we've got their 10-year rye right now).

How to order a sweeter Old Fashioned? ›

If you want a more sweet Old Fashioned, ask for less bitters in your drink. Typical Old Fashioneds don't have much more than a splash of bitters in them. However, every bartender is different, and your bar could use more bitters on average. For example, “I'll have a Woodford Reserve Old Fashioned, extra sweet.”

Is an Old Fashioned supposed to be sweet? ›

The old fashioned is a co*cktail made by muddling sugar with bitters and water, adding whiskey (typically rye or bourbon) or sometimes brandy, and garnishing with an orange slice or zest and a co*cktail cherry. It is traditionally served with ice in an old fashioned glass (also known as a rocks glass).

What are the different types of old fashioneds in Wisconsin? ›

sweet, sour, or press

Otherwise, you can elect to have an old fashioned sour or an old fashioned press. A “sour” will be made with Squirt or sour mix (or Jolly Good, if you can find it, but I hardly ever could) and a “press” will be either club soda or half club soda, half 7-up.

What whiskey do bars use for Old Fashioned? ›

“My go-to bourbon for making an Old Fashioned is good-old Buffalo Trace,” says Stephanie Reading, bar director at Birdie G's in Santa Monica, California. “It's affordable, approachable, and gives those classic bourbon notes.”

What is the main alcohol in Old Fashioned? ›

The Old Fashioned is arguably the most well-known whiskey co*cktail in the world. Essentially just a slug of bourbon that's been lightly sweetened with sugar and modified with a couple dashes of bitters, it's dead simple to make, but within this basic template is a world of opinions and flavor.

What is a good whiskey to use in an Old Fashioned? ›

Four Roses Single Barrel Bourbon

With its rye-forward mash bill, it has the spicy, herbal, and fruity notes that an Old Fashioned asks for. And at 100 proof, it's powerful enough to "show up strong even after dilution," Krueger notes. "Its big fruit flavors are really satisfying."

What kind of Angostura bitters for old fashioned? ›

Angostura is an aromatic bitters, but lean heavily toward cloves and dried cherries. I crafted our Old Fashioned Aromatic Bitters (the name kind of says it all) to be what I thought were the perfect bitters for an Old Fashioned. Ours lean more on cinnamon, ginger, and nutmeg with only a touch of cloves.

What beverage is Wisconsin's state symbol? ›

Milk. The Wisconsin Legislature designated milk as the official state beverage in 1987. This action recognized Wisconsin's position as the nation's leading milk-producing state and the contribution of milk to the state's economy.

What is the most popular co*cktail in Wisconsin? ›

Brandy Old Fashioned

This co*cktail is a Wisconsin staple and is often referred to as the state's unofficial drink. It is made with brandy, bitters, sugar, soda, and garnished with an orange slice and a cherry. The Brandy Old Fashioned is a classic co*cktail that is revered as the most popular drink in Wisconsin.

What is a Wisconsin Old Fashioned? ›

The Brandy Old Fashioned, aka the Wisconsin Old Fashioned, is practically the state's official drink. In addition to brandy, it calls for muddled fruit and a topper of lemon-lime soda. So, it's not your great-great-grandfather's Old Fashioned.

Is it an Old Fashioned or an Old Fashioned? ›

The co*cktail, a noun, is an old fashioned or an old–fashioned, as is the style of glassware in which this drink is served. Aubrey poured old fashioneds for his guests at the wedding reception. The orange juice was served like a co*cktail in old–fashioned glasses.

Why does Wisconsin make Old Fashioned with brandy? ›

The World's Columbian Exposition of 1893

You can't talk about Wisconsinite drink preferences without talking about brandy. In part, Brandy Old Fashioneds are credited with the impression that Korbel Brother Brandy made on German Wisconsinites who visited the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.

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