Brandy Old Fashioned
Make a Brandy Old Fashioned and treat yourself to a classic Midwestern cocktail at home. A sweet and refreshing drink that anyone can master in minutes.
The Brandy Old Fashioned Cocktail Is A Midwest Classic
If you grew up anywhere near the Midwest, there’s a strong possibility you put Cottage Cheese In Lasagna and Sour Cream In Sugar Cookies.
You might also know that making an old fashioned cocktail with brandy instead of bourbon whiskey is a tradition in Wisconsin. It shows up at supper clubs, holiday parties, fish fries and garage hangouts.
Sure, we’re from Michigan, but we’re just one S.S. Badger ferry ride away from the Badger state, and we celebrate brandy old fashioneds on this side of Lake Michigan, too.
Smooth brandy, muddled fruit, plenty of sweetness and a fizzy finish make this one of the most welcoming drinks you can serve. It’s like a warm Midwestern hug.
Why You’ll Love This Brandy Old Fashioned
- Ready in 5 minutes with no special equipment or sour mix needed. If you don’t have a cocktail muddler, just use the end of a wooden spoon.
- It has a very drinkable balance of sweetness, depth and warmth.
- It’s good all year long! While traditional old fashioneds are a bit strong and heavy for summer, a brandy old fashioned is light enough to enjoy on a hot day.
Is A Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet?
A brandy old fashioned is definitely on the sweeter end of the cocktail spectrum, and that’s probably why Wisconsinites find it so alluring. They go down very easy, so be careful!
The sweetness in a brandy old fashioned comes from a variety of sources. There’s the maraschino cherries PLUS some of the juice from the cherry jar. There’s the orange slice (and the juice that comes out of it). There’s the sugar cube. And then there’s the lemon-lime soda.
If all of this is TOO sweet for you (and we don’t blame you), feel free to just omit the sugar cube. We often do that, and enjoy it just as well that way.
Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned Ingredients
A full recipe card, including exact ingredient amounts, appears at the bottom of this post.
- brandy – the star of the show. More on this below!
- maraschino cherries and their juice – these provide sweetness, color and charm.
- orange slice – adds brightness and a hint of bitterness to balance the sweetness.
- sugar cube – the backbone of the sweet profile this drink is known for.
- orange bitters – adds depth and complexity, and makes this sweet drink drinkable rather than cloying. You can’t go wrong with Angostura bitters. Cherry bitters also work well!
- lemon-lime soda – the signature Wisconsin twist that adds bubbles. Sprite, 7-Up, Starry or even Squirt (which is a grapefruit soda) if you’re feeling frisky. Club soda or plain seltzer can be subbed for the soda if you’d like a less sweet drink.
How To Make A Brandy Old Fashioned Drink
- MUDDLE + STIR. In a double old fashioned glass, muddle the cherries, cherry juice, orange slice (orange peel and all), sugar and a few dashes of bitters until everything is crushed and somewhat blended together. Add the brandy and stir until everything is well combined and the sugar completely dissolves into the brandy.
- FINISH. Fill your glass with ice, and then top everything off with lemon-lime soda (7-Up, Sprite, etc.). Add a few extra cherries on a cocktail pick for a pretty presentation.
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Brandy Old Fashioned Recipe Home Chef Tips
- If you have large ice cubes or ice spheres available, use them to minimize dilution while keeping your cocktail cold.
- Adjust the sweetness and intensity of your Wisconsin old fashioned to suit your palate. You can add more or less sugar, bitters or soda, depending on your preferences.
- Want a richer flavor? Use Luxardo cherries and their juice instead of traditional maraschino cherries.
Best Brandy For Old Fashioned
Ultimately, the best brandy for your old fashioned is the one you have on hand, that you enjoy drinking!
There’s no need to buy a super high-quality brandy for brandy old fashioneds, but we also don’t enjoy drinking the cheapest varieties available, either.
Korbel brandy is the favorite brandy of many supper club bartenders in Wisconsin. It’s affordable and blends really well with the citrus and cherry notes in this cocktail.
We’ve also found E & J Brandy Grand Blue to be a good choice. It has a smooth taste, it’s not too expensive, and it’s widely available.
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Brandy Old Fashioned Recipe
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Ingredients
- 2 maraschino cherries
- 1 teaspoon juice from the maraschino cherry jar
- 1 slice of orange about 1/8th of a medium orange, peel and all
- 1 sugar cube
- 4 dashes orange bitters
- 2 ounces brandy
- Ice
- Lemon-lime soda
Instructions
- In a double old fashioned glass, muddle cherries, cherry juice, orange slice, sugar and bitters until crushed.
- Add brandy and stir until well combined.
- Fill glass with ice.
- Top off cocktail with lemon-lime soda.
Notes
- If you have large ice cubes or ice spheres available, use them to minimize dilution while keeping your cocktail cold.
- Adjust the sweetness and intensity of your brandy old fashioned to suit your palate. You can add more or less sugar, bitters or soda, depending on your preferences.
