How to Make a Wisconsin Brandy Old-Fashioned at Home: A Supper Club Classic
Get out your cocktail shaker ready and make a real ingredient Brandy Old Fashioned. That’s right- made with fresh fruit, premium brandy, and sparking grapefruit juice.
The Old-Fashioned is more than just a drink—it’s a tradition that has been exciting Wisconsinites for generations. Particularly on Friday nights, it has a reserved place at the tables of supper clubs during fish fry dinners. It brings friends and families together to enjoy not only great food but also the ritual of a perfectly prepared cocktail. In fact, few drinks are as symbolic of Wisconsin culture as the Brandy Old-Fashioned, a cocktail that balances richness, sweetness, and the subtle complexity of carefully selected ingredients.
While the classic Old-Fashioned can be made using whiskey, in Wisconsin, the traditional preference leans toward brandy, giving this cocktail a smoother character that complements hearty supper club fare. Moreover, bartenders at these supper clubs have perfected the art of balancing flavors. This ensures that each drink captures the essence of Wisconsin’s iconic adult beverage. Whether you are hosting at home or enjoying a quiet evening, preparing your own Brandy Old-Fashioned allows you to experience the same level of care as your favorite Wisconsin supper club.
Why Make a Homemade Brandy Old-Fashioned?
First and foremost, making a fresh Brandy Old-Fashioned allows you to control exactly what goes into your drink. Store-bought old-fashioned mixes often contain high-fructose corn syrup, preservatives, and artificial food dyes. Lower quality mixes take away from both the flavor and the purity of your drink. But what if you could skip all that? By using real, fresh ingredients, you can enjoy a cocktail that’s authentic, flavorful, and free from unnecessary additives.
In addition, making your own cocktail transforms a simple drink into an epic experience. This is especially true when enjoyed with a traditional Wisconsin fish fry at home, complete with creamy coleslaw, tangy potato salad, and hearty dark rye bread. Together, these elements recreate the vibe of a supper club meal! Entertain your friends to the full Wisconsin experience without leaving home.
Key Ingredients and Their Health Benefits
Every component of a Brandy Old-Fashioned not only enhances the flavor but also brings some health benefits.
1. Tart Cherry Juice
Tart cherry juice, made from Montmorency cherries, is a key ingredient in a Wisconsin-style Brandy Old-Fashioned. Whether you buy it or make it at home, it gives the sweet-and-tart flavor of store-bought mixes—but without any artificial sweeteners.
Tart cherries also have some great health benefits. They are full of antioxidants that help fight harmful molecules in the body and reduce inflammation. Tart cherry juice may also help keep your heart healthy by supporting normal blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Plus, cherries contain natural melatonin, which can help improve sleep. They also provide vitamin C and potassium, which support your immune system and overall heart health. Overall, tart cherry juice adds flavor, color, and a small nutritional boost that makes your cocktail even better.
2. Clementines
Clementines are small, juicy citrus fruits with a naturally sweet flavor and vibrant aroma. In a Brandy Old-Fashioned, they bring a bright, refreshing sweetness that balances the richness of the brandy.
From a health perspective, clementines are loaded with vitamin C, fiber, potassium, and flavonoids. Together these nutrients support immune function, heart health, and digestion. Moreover, the natural sweetness of clementines helps reduce the need for added sugar in your cocktail. Keep it light, fresh, and wholesome- trust me, it tastes better. In combination with tart cherry juice, they create a balanced flavor profile that is both satisfying and health-conscious.
3. Brandy
At the heart of the Wisconsin Brandy Old-Fashioned is the brandy itself, and selecting a high-quality option is key. Berens Old-Fashioned Brandy is an ideal choice. It is locally crafted in Wisconsin, supporting regional distilling traditions while delivering smooth, rich flavor.
Moderate consumption of brandy may also offer benefits. It contains antioxidants that help reduce oxidative stress, and in small amounts, brandy can aid digestion, especially after a hearty meal. By choosing a premium, locally made brandy, you ensure your cocktail is free from artificial additives while adding depth, warmth, and subtle sweetness. Ultimately, the brandy elevates the drink, connecting you to Wisconsin’s long-standing love for this classic spirit.
4. Sparkling Grapefruit Juice
For a modern, refreshing twist, top your Brandy Old-Fashioned with sparkling grapefruit juice instead of traditional soda. This adds fizz and a lightly tangy flavor that brightens the cocktail.
Health-wise, grapefruit juice is naturally rich in vitamin C, and antioxidants which can support immunity, reduce inflammation, and promote overall wellness. Furthermore, choosing an all-natural sparkling juice eliminates unnecessary sugars or artificial flavors, keeping your cocktail refreshing and light. When combined with the other ingredients, it creates a perfectly balanced drink that is vibrant, flavorful, and uplifting.
Serving Suggestions
The Brandy Old-Fashioned is great for every occasion. For instance, serve it with a homemade fish fry—complete with creamy coleslaw, potato salad, and hearty dark rye bread—for a meal that transports guests straight to a supper club. Similarly, during the holidays, the deep ruby color complements festive spreads, while in summer, a chilled version is perfect for picnics or outdoor BBQs. Even for casual gatherings, it’s an easy make-ahead drink that always impresses.
In other words, this cocktail is flexible, crowd-pleasing, and full of flavor, making it a standout addition to any menu or celebration.
Why This Cocktail Stands Out
First, it uses fresh, natural ingredients, eliminating high-fructose corn syrup, artificial dyes, and unnecessary additives. Second, the combination of tart cherry juice, clementines, and sparkling grapefruit juice provides antioxidants, vitamin C, potassium, fiber, and anti-inflammatory compounds. Finally, a quality Wisconsin brandy adds depth, warmth, and subtle digestive benefits, all while supporting local craftsmanship.
Together, these elements create a cocktail that is not only visually stunning and flavorful but also mindful and nourishing—a true Wisconsin classic.
Let’s Go!
Preparing a Wisconsin Brandy Old-Fashioned at home is more than making a cocktail—it’s a celebration of flavor, tradition, and local pride. By choosing high-quality, real ingredients like Berens Old-Fashioned Brandy, fresh Montmorency cherries, clementines, and sparkling grapefruit juice, you can enjoy an authentic supper club experience from the comfort of your own home.
Moreover, the natural ingredients bring subtle health benefits, including antioxidants, vitamin C, fiber, and anti-inflammatory compounds, making each sip both delicious and mindful. Whether paired with a fish fry, served at a summer gathering, or enjoyed during the holidays, the Brandy Old-Fashioned connects people, evokes tradition, and elevates any occasion.
So go ahead—pour a glass, garnish with fresh fruit, and savor the rich, vibrant flavors of a true Wisconsin supper club classic, all made with real ingredients. Cheers!
Looking for Other Brandy Cocktails?
Brandy Slush- A true Wisconsin Classic!
Classic Red Sangria
Cherry Brandy Old Fashioned
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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
- Green 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
