A few weeks ago while glamping at Camp Wandawega, we dined at The Duck Inn, and I ordered a Brandy Old-Fashioned Sweet. Unless you live in Wisconsin, it’s hard to find a bartender who can mix a good one. In fact, on spring break, the bartender in Florida looked at me like I was from Mars when I ordered this boozy beverage. So I took matters into my own hands and I’m spilling the passed down cocktail recipe. Grab your bitters and cherries…let’s get mixing!
Back in the day, I was a bartender in Wisconsin Dells, and I must say, I could whip up a good one! It’s Wisconsin deliciousness in a glass! But before I give you the recipe, can we just take a moment to soak in the beauty of that glass above? *sigh* You can find similar vintage cocktail glasses here.
A Wisconsin Bartender’s Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet Recipe
YIELDS 1 SERVING
INGREDIENTS
2 oz Korbel Brandy or whatever you preferred
A tiny spoonful of maraschino cherry juice (I’m suddenly singing Mary Poppins)
Cherries
1 sugar cube (Yep, Mary Poppins, firmly stuck in my head)
Splash of orange juice
6 dashes of bitters
Sprite, 7up, or some sort of lemon-lime soda
Ice
1 orange slice divided for garnish
1 maraschino cherry for garnish
INSTRUCTIONS
1. Place the sugar cube in the glass. If you want to do this properly, muddle the fruit and bitters with sugar.
2. Add the remaining ingredients. Stir. Add ice cubes. Stir again.
3. Garnish with an orange slice and cherry. Boom! Welcome to Wisconsin baby.
All you need is Friday night fish fry at a supper club with the crunchy breadsticks and cheese spread and deep-fried cheese curds as an appetizer (BTDubs, sometimes I like to dip them in ranch because deep-fried cheese is not heart attack inducing enough…shhhhhhh, don’t tell).
When do we get to have cocktails?…Or, when should we do a joint cocktail post? I would prefer the former, but would take the later, too…
Let’s do it! Or a cocktail-off challenge! BTDubs…Before Laura left my surprise party at The Violet Hour, I said to her, I so wish Grace was here! WE NEED TO STOP TALKING ABOUT IT AND MAKE THIS HAPPEN!
Definitely going to be making this old fashioned brandy cocktail in the upcoming Christmas period. Thanks for the delicious idea!
Excellent! It’s a favorite of mine that is for sure! Glad you stopped by!
Another good wisconsin twist is use one table spoon of pure maple syup instead of the sugar cube and use sun drop soda for that shawano twist