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Brandy Old Fashioned
Another month, another Mixology Monday. This one is being hosted by Marleigh at Sloshed! As usual I waited until the last minute before writing, an as I write this I haven’t even decided what I’m going to write about! Obviously the topic is brandy, so that helps to narrow it down. The first thing that comes to mind is the Brandy Old Fashioned. Now, like most people I know whisky belongs in an Old Fashioned, except if you are from Wisconsin. I’m not from Wisconsin, but I do have extended family there and ever since my first visit, brandy has become an equal in the Old Fashioned.
The Old Fashioned is one of those drinks that’s been around for a long time. It’s also a drink that hasn’t been extremely popular, until the recent interest in classic cocktails. But in the great state of Wisconsin, the Brandy Old Fashioned has stayed relatively popular.
Of course there is a story as to why brandy replaced whiskey in Wisconsin, and I’ll give you the short version. Basically, it has a lot to do with German settlers. If you want a really good explanation, visit Off the Presses and the full writeup on the Brandy Old Fashioned.
Interesting factoid: Wisconsinites consumed more brandy than any other state in the U.S. But it is not 90% of all brandy in the US, that’s just an urban myth.
The Old Fashioned is especially handy when a guy walks in and asks for a drink that will make him hump a sailor! A couple rounds of these made him very happy, and possibly some lucky, or unlucky, sailor. But the point is, this is a fairly strong drink, so no diluting it with copious amounts of soda water. It is basically a slightly sweetened spirit with some depth added (bitters). Also, don’t pulverize the orange, just muddle gently.
Brandy Old Fashioned
2 oz Brandy (Van Ryn’s)
3 Dash Bitters
1 Sugar Cube
1 Splash Water
1 Splash Club Soda
Orange Wheel
Cherry
Instructions: In a glass dissolve sugar cube in a small amount of water (or use a splash of simple syrup). Gentle muddle an orange wheel, just to get a bit of juice out of it. Add brandy and bitters. Pack glass with ice and there should only be enough room left for a splash of soda. Garnish with a brandy soaked cherry.
Notes: Even though it doesn’t look like it around here, I’m actually working on the website, as Caroline reported. Complete redesigns are not the easiest thing, but the results will be worth it. At least from the back-end management of the site, but I’m sure you’ll like the new layout too.&
Also, the comment posting has been fixed.
96 Comments on Brandy Old Fashioned
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Great Post Darcy. I had planned to get back on the MX Monday band wagon but missed the boat this go round. Hopefully next time. You wouldn't happen to know where I could find a list of upcoming topics would ya?
Looking forward to seeing the new layout.
I am from Wisconsin and I have to say, I never knew you could make an Old Fashioned with anything BUT brandy. Ordered the Wisconsin way, it's "a Brandy Old Fashioned, sweet, with fruit." Order a plain old Old Fashioned, from a bartender or waiter/waitress transplanted to my fair state and you never know what you might get.
Around my neck of the woods, you can scrap the sugar cube and water (there's too much ice melting to dilute your drink). Instead of club soda, use something like 7-up and you're in supperclub heaven.
This staple at fine dining stops around the state may not be as popular as trendy mixes, but ask anyone over 40 in Wisconsin, and I'll bet they will tell you it's a classic - never outdated and NEVER out of style.
Here in Oregon I've made friends with a pretty sizeable group of Wisconsin transplants, who taught me about the brandy old-fashioned when I first started working with liquor.
Once a year someone will order a brandy old-fashioned at my bar, and I always delight in asking them, "What part of Wisconsin are you from?" and watching their surprised reaction.
Great topic for a post, Darcy!
Hi! I was just introduced to this site right now, and I think it is so interesting. I JUST graduated bartending school, and of course I'm looking for a good job, and some helpful tips. Your articles are helpful and funny! Thanks!
-your new reader,
Jessica
Although I no longer live in Wisconsin, I remember growing up and hearing my uncle's story about how the brandy Old fashioned came to be. He said that Harry Chisholm bought a bar in Waldo Wisconsin in 1947. He had bar experience but he was origionally from the southern part of the state. In Wisconsin, soda means different things in different parts of the state. Anyways, a customer asked him for a brandy old fashioned with soda and he put 7 up in by mistake. That was the birth of the "brandy old fashioned sweet". The name of the place was "chissy's" and it is still there today, although under different ownership. Any time i get back there, I get what the locals drink!
My Wisconsin native Guy turned me on to Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet with OLIVES. I let the olive soak it up in the bottom of the glass then share it with him! Very sexy salty sweetness!
If I love Old Fashioned Sweets, what other drinks would I like?