When you believe of an old-fashioned, you generally believe of bourbon (or scotch). But in Wisconsin, an old-fashioned order is frequently clarified: Do you desire it with brandy or bourbon?
Because in Wisconsin, a brandy old-fashioned is the method of the land. “A Wisconsin old-fashioned is sweet and simple,” states JC Cunningham, owner of mixeddrink bar PufferFish in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. “It is a lovely method to session beverage 2 ounces of brandy, without it tasting spirit-forward.”
It’s typically topped with a citrus soda (or as Wisconsinites understand it, pop). You likewise have to state how you desire it: sweet (7Up, Sprite, or another lemon-lime soda), press (half sweet, half plain soda), or sour, frequently made with sour mix or Squirt. Often, maraschino cherries or oranges are muddled, too. “Garnish is typically fruit, a half orange piece and maraschino cherry,” states Ron Faiola, author of the book series Wisconsin Supper Clubs.
Brandy takes centerstage, and is frequently Korbel California brandy. Korbel is the 4th biggest manufacturer of brandy in the U.S., with more than 60% offered to Wisconsin. Bryant’s Cocktail Lounge, Milwaukee’s earliest mixeddrink lounge, hasactually been serving a brandy old-fashioned in the verysame method for the bulk of its 86-year history, with Korbel brandy, simple syrup, Angostura bitters, and your option of soda.
“There are lotsof theories about how this beverage came to be however I delightin the romantic variation, when the Korbel Brothers presented the Midwest to American brandy at the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893,” states Cunningham. “The story goes, Wisconsinites fell in love with the spirit, and delivered it by the truckload. Then Prohibition hit[and alcohol was made illegal] Wisconsin has a history with bootlegging and moonshine runs inbetween Illinois and Canada. To make the moonshine or tub spirits more tasty