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Wisconsin Old Fashioned Recipe

Sep 24, 2021 · 30 Comments

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

Two Wisconsin Old Fashioned this image

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 GIF

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 .

Ingredients for a Wisconsin old fashioned

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

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

Muddling a cocktail

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.

Garnish on an old fashioned

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

Wisconsin Old Fashioned

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?

Two Wisconsin Old Fashioned

Wisconsin Old Fashioned Recipe

The old fashioned is a classic Wisconsin cocktail and this recipe is a great way to try it!
4.50 from 12 votes
Print Rate
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Total Time: 5 minutes
Servings: 1 drink

Equipment

  • Muddler
  • Rocks Glass

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 cocktail glass muddle sugar, orange slice, cherries and bitters, add shot of brandy and stir.
  • Add ice to fill the glass, then top it off with 50/50 or Squirt Soda and enjoy!

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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Did you make this recipe? Hashtag with us! Be sure to follow/tag @sweetphiblog and hashtag #sweetphiblog – we love to see what you’re cooking up!”

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. kosta consulting says

    December 20, 2022 at 3:13 am

    wow so pretty!!

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      December 20, 2022 at 8:57 am

      So glad you like it! Thank you for commenting.

      Reply
  2. Ruth says

    October 11, 2020 at 7:00 am

    5 stars
    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

      October 12, 2020 at 8:10 pm

      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

    December 25, 2018 at 9:01 pm

    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

      December 26, 2018 at 12:52 pm

      Thank you for sharing Mary 🙂

      Reply
  4. Sue says

    May 16, 2017 at 3:48 pm

    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

      May 21, 2017 at 3:59 pm

      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

    January 21, 2017 at 11:55 am

    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

      January 22, 2017 at 2:36 pm

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

      Reply
  6. Victoria says

    May 26, 2014 at 3:24 pm

    Yum! This looks amazing.

    xoxo,
    Victoria

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      May 26, 2014 at 4:57 pm

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

      Reply
  7. Karis says

    May 18, 2014 at 8:14 pm

    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

      May 20, 2014 at 8:08 am

      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

    May 18, 2014 at 1:44 pm

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

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      May 20, 2014 at 8:09 am

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

      Reply
  9. Ashley says

    May 15, 2014 at 7:45 pm

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

    Reply
    • Sweetphi says

      May 17, 2014 at 3:10 pm

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

      Reply
  10. cheri says

    May 14, 2014 at 11:58 am

    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

      May 15, 2014 at 10:37 am

      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

    May 14, 2014 at 8:21 am

    Yes yes yes YES!!!! This cocktail 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

      May 14, 2014 at 9:32 pm

      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

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