The Old-Fashioned cocktail is a time-honored classic often gracing the tables of Friday night fish fry dinners at supper clubs across Wisconsin. This beloved drink can be crafted using either rich brandy or robust whiskey, catering to individual tastes with a choice between sweet and sour profiles. In Wisconsin, the traditional approach leans toward using brandy, making it a staple. Bartenders at these supper clubs have mastered the fine balance of flavors to ensure each cocktail is a perfect representation of this iconic beverage.
With these carefully selected ingredients, you can master the art of crafting a classic brandy old fashioned. This cocktail will transport your guests straight to the heart of a Wisconsin supper club. Enjoy!
Why Prepare a Homemade Brandy Old Fashioned?
This cocktail is the perfect addition to a traditional Wisconsin Fish Fry at Home. Along with the classic side dishes: Creamy Coleslaw, Potato Salad, and hearty Dark Rye Bread-Friday Night Fish Fry. This combination is sure to create the ambiance of a supper club meal at home. Store-bought old-fashioned mix contains high fructose corn syrup, preservatives, and food dyes. The good news is this cocktail can be made with fresh, natural ingredients to avoid the unnecessary food additives. We have created a delicious brandy old fashioned sour to enjoy with our at home fish fry. The cocktail bursts with vibrant flavors from real tart cherry juice, fresh clementines, premium brandy, and splash of sparkling grapefruit juice to top it off.
Tart Cherry Juice: Tart cherry juice is a super healthy juice that is extracted from Montmorency cherries. It can be purchased or in our case, freshly canned at home from fresh cherries. It adds a sweet and tart flavor to the old fashioned similar to the cherry flavor in store-bought old-fashioned mix.
Clementines: Clementines are a delicious juicy citrus fruit that is full of sweet natural juice. They are sweeter than oranges and also contain less acid.
Brandy: Any brandy will work in this recipe, but we personally recommend Berens Old Fashioned Brandy. Not only is it a delicious option, but it also supports local craftsmanship, making your drink taste even better.
Sparkling Grapefruit Juice: For a sophisticated finish, top off your Brandy Old Fashioned with sparkling grapefruit juice instead of traditional soda. An all-natural sparkling grapefruit juice, such as Betty Buzz Sparkling Grapefruit 12-pack, delivers a delightful flavor blend that perfectly complements the other ingredients in this refreshing cocktail.
Cherry Brandy Old Fashioned
Equipment
- shot glass
- whiskey glass
Ingredients
- 1/2 Clementine
- 1 tbsp Tart cherry juice
- 1 tsp Sugar
- 4 drops Bitters
- Ice
- 1 shot Brandy
- Sparkling grapefruit
- Olives (garnish)
Instructions
- In a lowball glass, muddle the clementine and sugar in the cherry juice and bitters, leaving the clementine rind in the bottom of the glass.
- Fill the glass with ice.
- Pour 1 shot of brandy into the glass.
- Fill the glass with grapefruit soda and stir.
- Garnish with green olives and serve.
Nutrition
