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Wisconsin Old Fashioned

A regional twist on the classic Old Fashioned featuring brandy, whiskey, sugar, bitters, and a splash of soda water for a lighter, sweeter cocktail.
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Prep Time 5 minutes
Total Time 5 minutes
Servings: 1 serving
Course: Drinks and Beverages
Cuisine: American, Wisconsin
Calories: 180
Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients
  

Main
  • 1 sugar cube or 1/2 teaspoon simple syrup
  • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
  • 1 ounce brandy
  • 1.5 ounces whiskey rye or bourbon
  • 1/4 ounce soda water or Sprite
  • 2 ice cubes or 1 large sphere
  • 1 orange peel fresh, about 2 inches long
  • 1 cherry optional, for garnish
  • Water for dilution, optional

Equipment

  • Rocks glass or Old Fashioned glass (10-12 oz)
  • Cocktail muddler or back of a wooden spoon
  • Bar spoon or regular spoon
  • Jigger (1.5 oz and 1 oz sizes)
  • Channel knife or vegetable peeler
  • Cutting board
  • Ice (cubes or sphere)

Method
 

  1. Chill your glass by filling it with ice and a splash of cold water, then let it sit for one minute.
  2. Cut a 2-inch strip of orange peel, avoiding the white pith, and set it aside.
  3. Discard the ice water from the glass, then add the sugar cube and two dashes of Angostura bitters.
  4. Gently muddle the sugar cube to break it up and dissolve slightly, releasing the bitters' aromatics.
  5. Hold the orange peel over the glass and bend it to express the oils onto the sugar mixture.
  6. Pour in 1 ounce brandy followed by 1.5 ounces whiskey.
  7. Add two large ice cubes or one ice sphere to the glass.
  8. Top with 1/4 ounce soda water or Sprite and stir gently for about 15 seconds to combine and chill.
  9. Run the orange peel around the rim, drop it into the drink, add a cherry if desired, and serve immediately.

Notes

Enjoy immediately to savor the balanced layers of spirits, sugar, bitters, and citrus oils as the ice melts slowly.