Wisconsin Old Fashioned
The unofficial state cocktail of Wisconsin — brandy muddled with sugar, bitters, and a cherry, topped with sweet soda for a sweeter take on the classic. — Crafted by Blinner with Love
Ingredients
- 2 oz Brandy (Korbel preferred)
- 1 Sugar cube
- 3 dashes Angostura bitters
- 1 Maraschino cherry
- 1 slice Orange
- 2 oz Sweet soda (Sprite or 7-Up)
- orange slice (garnish) garnish
- maraschino cherry (garnish) garnish
Pairs With
Serve with cheese and charcuterie, bratwurst, or hard pretzels to match Wisconsin's beer culture while honoring the brandy's richness. Regional favorites pair authentically.
Instructions
Place sugar cube in a rocks glass and saturate with bitters
Add the cherry and orange slice
Muddle firmly to dissolve sugar and release fruit juices
Fill the glass with ice
Pour brandy over the ice
Top with sweet soda and stir gently
Garnish with a fresh orange slice and cherry
Tips
In Wisconsin, ordering an Old Fashioned means brandy by default — you must specify if you want whiskey Korbel brandy is the traditional choice and by far the most popular brandy in Wisconsin Order it "sweet" for Sprite, "sour" for Squirt, or "press" for half soda half sour