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.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Course Drinks
Cuisine American
Servings 1 cocktail
Calories 156 kcal

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
 

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

Video

Notes

  1. Maraschino cherry juice: Or grenadine. Grenadine is made from pomegranate juice, but it tastes delicious as well. 
  2. 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. 
  3. Bitters: Angostura is a popular brand and they last forever in the pantry. Orange bitters work really well in this drink, too. 
  4. Grapefruit soda: Squirt is the most common national brand, but grab 50/50 (by Canfield's) if you ever see it!
  5. Yield: This recipe makes 1 cocktail, and it tastes the best when it is crafted one cocktail at a time.
  6. 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.
  7. Old Fashioned Sweet: Instead of the grapefruit soda, top off the drink with your favorite lemon-lime soda (Think 7UP or Sprite).
  8. Old Fashioned Press: Pour half lemon-lime soda, and half soda water. This makes it less sweet, but still tingly and refreshing.
  9. Whiskey: To enjoy a version closer to the one "folks from out of town" make, substitute your favorite bourbon or whiskey.
  10. 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

Serving: 1cocktailCalories: 156kcalCarbohydrates: 12gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSodium: 1mgPotassium: 47mgFiber: 1gSugar: 9gVitamin A: 59IUVitamin C: 14mgCalcium: 10mg
Keyword brandy old fashioned
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