When it comes to iconic cocktails, the Brandy Old Fashioned holds a special place in the hearts of Wisconsinites. This unique twist on the classic Old Fashioned combines the warmth of brandy with muddled oranges, cherries, and a touch of sweetness.
Whether you're a resident of the Badger State or simply curious about regional cocktail traditions, this beloved drink is a must try. Your taste buds will thank you!

Jump to:
- Wisconsin vs Classic Old Fashioned
- The origins of a Wisconsin Old Fashioned
- Wisconsin Old Fashioned Recipe Ingredients
- How to Make a Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned (Sweet)
- Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet Variations
- Frequently Asked Questions
- More Recipes to Enjoy
- More Favorites from Ovenspiration
- 📖 Recipe
Wisconsin vs Classic Old Fashioned
Yes, I live in Wisconsin, and the phrase "brandy old fashioned sweet" will always remind me of my mom. It was her favorite cocktail, a love shared with many others in our state.
A typical Old Fashioned is mostly bourbon or whiskey, sweetened with sugar and flavored with bitters. The Wisconsin Old Fashioned is a little different.
In addition to using brandy, the Wisconsin Old Fashioned prescribes muddling fruit (orange slice and cherry) in the glass before adding the ice and liquids, and also requires topping with a mixer. Typically this is lemon-lime soda, but there are options as you will see below.
The origins of a Wisconsin Old Fashioned
There are differing opinions regarding how this version of an old fashioned came to be.
Some say that it all started at the Chicago World Fair in 1893, when the Korbel brothers brought many cases of brandy for attendees to sample. Many Wisconsinites were in attendance! The brandy reminded them of their European roots, so they brought the Korbel back to Wisconsin.
Others say that the drink really developed during prohibition. The only alcohol available then was of lower quality, therefore people started adding more sweeteners to mask the taste. Even after prohibition lifted, the cocktail still maintained its popularity.
Side note: per my family's verbal history, and verified by a third party, the way our family farm survived the Great Depression was through the sale of moonshine. I still have trouble picturing my grandfather as a bootlegger......
Wisconsin Old Fashioned Recipe Ingredients
- Orange slices
- Cherries
- Sugar cube
- Sugar
- Angostura bitters
- Brandy Korbel
- Lemon lime soda
How to Make a Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned (Sweet)
- It starts with fruit. In an old fashioned glass (rocks or lowball glass) place a couple cherries and orange slices (minimum one but I use two of each). Add a couple dashes of bitters and sugar. Traditionally, this is a sugar cube and Angostura bitters. If you can't find sugar cubes, use one teaspoon of table sugar.
- Now, muddle (mash) the fruit until the juices are released and the sugar is dissolved. I always like to muddle the orange peel a little in order to release the orange flavor hiding there. 😁
- Add the ice and pour the brandy over it. The traditional brandy is Korbel, for reasons explained above. Adding it after the ice helps cool it down.
- Now for the final Wisconsin twist: top with a mixer. This is usually lemon-lime soda. The correct way to order this drink is: Brandy Old Fashioned , Sweet. The sweet specification is to ensure there is no confusion with any of the variations available, per below.
- Give your cocktail a stir, and garnish with an orange slice and cherry.
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Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet Variations
We are all about choices here in Wisconsin, and this brandy old fashioned is no exception. When you order, you need to specify your "wash" - i.e. the topper in the drink. Here are the 4 main ways to order:
Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet - made as described above, and is the most common.
Brandy Old Fashioned Sour - instead of lemon-lime soda (7-Up or Sprite), the drink is topped with grapefruit flavored soda. Think 50/50 or Squirt.
Brandy Old Fashioned Press - in this option the bartender presses both the seltzer (soda water) and the sweet (lemon-lime soda) buttons on the dispenser to top the glass. This cuts the sugar a little, which is nice.
Brandy Old Fashioned Soda - I think this is less common, but you can order with just seltzer as the topper.
If you have a favorite brandy, of course you can use that instead of Korbel. Cognac is popular with some. I also knew someone "back in the day" who always ordered a Southern Comfort old fashioned. Lots of possibilities!
Another variation I found was with bitters. Angostura bitters are the traditional choice, and I found that they sell an orange version of their bitters.
Having made both, I'll say that the orange bitters are similar but do impart more of the sweet orange essence to the drink. I'm thinking you could use this and reduce the sugar added and still have a drink that is sweet enough.... must try!
When making this at home, you also have the option of using diet soda to help cut the sugar. I've done this and it is quite excellent!
The garnishes are another popular variation. Traditionally this is an orange slice and cherry, but some bars (and stores) offer pickled mushrooms and Brussels sprouts. So you can very easily make it your own!
Frequently Asked Questions
Absolutely! While the traditional choice is a grape-based brandy, feel free to explore different variations like apple brandy or even flavored brandies for a unique twist on this cocktail.
While the Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned is often associated with the supper clubs and cozy winter evenings of Wisconsin, it can be enjoyed year-round. It's a versatile cocktail that transitions well from crisp autumn nights to hot summer days.
More Recipes to Enjoy
If you're trying to embody the experience of a Wisconsin supper club, the brandy old fashioned is a great starting point. You could serve it with potato crusted cod for the whole "Friday night fish fry" experience!
Maybe you need a quick appetizer - mix up some beer cheese dip for dipping those pretzels!
And for dessert? Nothing beats a slice of old fashioned carrot cake. After all, how often can you claim that your cake counts as a vegetable? 🤪
More Favorites from Ovenspiration
📖 Recipe
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Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet
Ingredients
- 2 orange slices
- 2 cherries
- 1 sugar cube 1 teaspoon sugar
- 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
- 2 ounces brandy Korbel
- Topper: 1 splash of lemon lime soda Sweet, sour mix or grapefruit soda (Sour), half each lemon lime soda and soda water (Press), or soda water (Soda)
- Garnish: orange slice and cherry
Instructions
- In an old fashioned (rocks) glass, muddle orange slices, cherries, sugar and bitters.2 orange slices, 2 cherries, 1 sugar cube, 2-3 dashes Angostura bitters
- Fill glass with ice and add brandy.2 ounces brandy
- Top with soda of choice.Topper: 1 splash of lemon lime soda
- Give the drink a quick stir and garnish with a slice of orange and a cherry!Garnish: orange slice and cherry
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition values are estimates only, using online calculators. Please verify using your own data.
Jessica
Some of my favorite recipes come out of Wisconsin. Cheese curds and now this cocktail!
Sula
Cheese curds and Old Fashioned's go together really well! LOL
Shilpa
This was so good and a lovely variation from the regular old fashioned.
Sula
Yes its always fun to try something different. Thanks for the kind review!
Rachna
I am not a brandy fan but this recipe was delicious. Very comforting notes here. Loved it!
Sula
I've never been a brandy fan either, but this cocktail is a definite exception!
Ksenia
Ok so I have always loved a good Olf-Fashioned, but your recipe's addition of muddled fruit really makes it special, sweet and even more unforgettable. Will be making this for company on the weekend!
Sula
It really is a different and yummy cocktail!
Sage Scott
This awesome brandy old fashioned reminds me of the whiskey recipe my grandpa would always serve during the holidays. Smooth and delicious!
Sula
Smooth and delicious is the best kind of cocktail there is!
Jenn
This is such a vibrant and tasty drink! It was a great way for me to use up some of my brandy, as I normally dont drink much, but this was so good with it! Also, I love the idea of muddling the orange peel, It really does bring out flavor!
Sula
I never thought of myself as a brandy drinker, until I tried this old fashioned! SO yummy!
Meghan
Normally I am all about bourbon, but I have been converted to a brandy old fashioned lover now! Such a delicious combination!
Sula
It's definitely different and delicious!
Ellen
Being in the wine and spirits business, I love learning about and trying new drinks. The hint of sweetness is a real treat. This is a cocktail I'll be enjoying for a long time.
Sula
Cheers!
Lisa
This old fashioned drink was just what I needed at the end of a very long week.
Sula
Just like going to a Wisconsin supper club! 🙂
Sharon
This was so good! I'm not much of a stiff drink person so I really loved the added sweetness from the fruit and the sugar. And my grandfather was a rum-runner during the war so we have a bit of history in common! Strange to imagine that sweet man being so scandalous. haha
Sula
Ah, the family history! Gotta love it!
Jennifer Osborn
This is a delicious recipe. Thank you so much. I like old fashions but this version with Brandy was unique.
Sula
Yes its very different compared to a classic old fashioned!