Wisconsin Old Fashioned ~ A Northwoods Tradition!!!

Nothing says “it’s cocktail time” like a Wisconsin Old Fashioned!  This unique drink is a staple of supper clubs all over the Wisconsin Northwoods.  But you can make this yummy concoction at home too! 

Brandy Sweet, Whiskey Sour, Bourbon Press…the options are many.  But the Wisconsin Old Fashioned is all built on the same base.  A lovely muddled combination of fruits, sugar, and bitters. 

Yup, I’ll have one!

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Ingredients in the Wisconsin Old Fashioned…

A staple for the Wisconsin Old Fashioned are bitters.  What is this exotic elixir?

Bitters are a tonic made from aromatic herbs, spices, roots, bark and fruits chosen for their flavor.  There is also neutral-flavored alcohol added into bitters, such as vodka.  Bitters can be infused with a plethora of flavorful ingredients.  They add that extra “oomph” to your drinks!

Bitters have been around since the early 1800’s.  But it could even date back to ancient Egypt when it may have been used to relieve tummy troubles!

You could make your own bitters, but let’s save that recipe for another post!  Just pick them up at any store carrying adult drinks! 

You’ll also need alcohol such as Brandy or Whiskey.  No judgement on the level of brandy in our bottle, lol!!!

Super fine quick-dissolve sugar, an orange, maraschino cherries and juice, and “wash” such as Sprite lemon-lime soda “sweet” or Squirt grapefruit soda “sour”.  I think it’s a “Wisconsin thing” to refer to the flavor of sodas as “sweet” or “sour”. 

Another disclaimer…if you order this drink outside of Wisconsin you might have to coax your bartender on how to make it, lol!  They’ll have all the ingredients, but a Wisconsin Old Fashioned is unique and not well-known in other parts of this grand old land!!

How to Make the Wisconsin Old Fashioned…

Ideally, you’ll want to have a muddler to make the Wisconsin Old Fashioned.  This drink-making tool effectively crushes and “muddles” all the flavors together!!  If you don’t have a muddler, a spoon will do in a pinch.

To a low-ball glass (mine measures 3.5″ x 3.25″ and holds 10.25 ounces) add 2 teaspoons sugar.  You can add an extra teaspoon sugar to your taste if you’d like!

Add about 8-10 drops of bitters to the sugar.  Also add ½ slice of orange (rind removed), 2-3 maraschino cherries, and 1 teaspoon maraschino cherry juice.  To all of this add a splash of lemon-lime soda (about 2 tablespoons or so).

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Using the muddler, press down on all these ingredients to crush and mash them all together. 

Fill the glass to about ¾ full of ice cubes.  Don’t be afraid to use too much ice, as a dear friend used to say “ice makes the drink”.

Pour 1-2 two-ounce shots of brandy or whiskey, depending on how “stiff” you prefer your drink to be. 

Top this all off with more lemon-lime “sweet” soda (or grapefruit soda if you prefer your drink to be “sour”), filling the glass to the “almost” top.  Stir to mix everything together.

Add garnishes of more maraschino cherries and another orange slice. Cinnamon sticks also add a bit more flavor to this drink!!

Some folks like sour garnishes like mushrooms, olives, and other pickled goodies in their old fashioned. Yum!

We very much enjoy a Wisconsin Old Fashioned (or two!) on our patio overlooking the lake! Is it 5:00 yet???

Cheers!!!