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5.0 from 6 votes

Brandy Old Fashioned

From Friday fish fries to supper clubs, the Wisconsin drink of choice is a Brandy Old Fashioned. Here's the authentic recipe for the Wisconsin twist on this famous classic cocktail.

Prep Time
5 mins
Total Time
5 mins
Servings: 1 cocktail
Calories: 156 kcal
Course: Drinks
Cuisine: American

Ingredients

  • 2 Orange slices divided, 1 reserved for garnish
  • 1 teaspoon maraschino cherry juice (see note 1)
  • 1 sugar cube (see note 2)
  • 4-6 dashes angostura bitters (see note 3)
  • 1 1/2 ounces brandy (3 tablespoons)
  • ice
  • grapefruit soda (Squirt, see note 4)
  • 1 maraschino cherry for garnish

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In the bottom of a rocks glass, muddle 1 orange slice, cherry juice, sugar cube and bitters.
  2. Fill glass with ice. Pour brandy over ice. Top with soda and garnish with an orange slice and cherry.

Notes

  • Maraschino cherry juice: Or grenadine. Grenadine is made from pomegranate juice, but it tastes delicious as well. 
  • Sugar cubes: You can find sugar cubes in the baking aisle at the grocery store. Or, substitute 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar per sugar cube. 
  • Bitters: Angostura is a popular brand and they last forever in the pantry. Orange bitters work really well in this drink, too. 
  • Grapefruit soda: Squirt is the most common national brand, but grab 50/50 (by Canfield's) if you ever see it!
  • 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 (Think 7UP or Sprite).
  • 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 you're in Wisconsin!

Nutrition Information

Serving 1cocktail Calories 156kcal (8%) Carbohydrates 12g (4%) Protein 1g (2%) Fat 1g (2%) Sodium 1mg (0%) Potassium 47mg (1%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 9g (18%) Vitamin A 59IU (1%) Vitamin C 14mg (16%) Calcium 10mg (1%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 1cocktail

Amount Per Serving

Calories 156

% Daily Value*

Serving 1cocktail
Calories 156kcal 8%
Carbohydrates 12g 4%
Protein 1g 2%
Fat 1g 2%
Sodium 1mg 0%
Potassium 47mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 9g 18%
Vitamin A 59IU 1%
Vitamin C 14mg 16%
Calcium 10mg 1%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.