Latest Drink Recipe
In my opinion, one of the greatest triumphs of the cocktail renaissance is the rediscovery of the classic Old Fashioned. I’ve often spoken of how at some point after the repeal of Prohibition, the Old Fashioned became lost and possibly confused with a long-forgotten drink called a Smash (basically a tarted-up Mint Julep covered in fruit), a mere husk of its former, glorious self.
For decades, bartenders just like me served a limp, weak concoction consisting of a half-muddled sugar cube, a mashed-up neon red cherry and orange, a splash of whiskey, and some soda water drowning the results.
With a little luck, and a lot of hard work, that’s all changed with the renewed interest in classic cocktails. Now at any given night at my bar you can find literally a dozen people sipping on two ounces bourbon touched with a teaspoon of sugar and two dashes of bitters, garnished with a simple orange twist over a couple big ice cubes.
But don’t try to pull that bullshit with the good people of the Great State of Wisconsin, where the Brandy Old Fashioned rules supreme. It’s not the same drink as above, it just shares a name. And if you make it right, really right, it’s a damn delicious cocktail and worthy of examination.
Being located in a hotel, we’re used to serving folks from all over the world. And the first time I witnessed a guest from Wisconsin stare blankly as one of my bartenders handed over two ounces of Cognac touched with a teaspoon of sugar and two dashes of bitters and garnished with a simple orange twist over a couple big ice cubes, I knew some further training was in order.
So in the name of making cocktails – all cocktails – with as much of our hearts as we can offer, I present to you what I believe to be the perfect Brandy Old Fashioned… Wisconsin-style.
I start with an old fashioned glass I’ve chilled in the freezer. Call it a tumbler, call it a double rocks glass, or call it a bucket, it’s a glass you’re familiar with. To that I add two dashes of Angostura bitters and a teaspoon of sugar. If I’m in a hurry I use a 2:1 simple syrup, but if I’m going to spend some time, I use a sugar cube. The sugar cube is preferable here because it’s going to add some friction to the muddling we’re about to do. Brace yourselves, cocktail “nerds”.
Next I’ll take a thick-cut orange wedge, and a cherry. The usual suspect here is a grocery store maraschino cherry, but I always choose a brandied Amarena cherry. Remember, you’re going to get out what you put in, so a quality cherry is going to make the drink that much better.
I muddle the sugar, bitters, orange wedge and cherry into a thick paste, careful not to touch the orange peel too much as it’ll bring unwanted bitterness to the party – just work around the peel and pulverize that orange meat.
Your standard Brandy Old Fashioned brandy of choice is Korbel: cheap California brandy. Considering the hundreds of thousands of cases they ship to Wisconsin every year, it might be considered sacrosanct to use anything else. But if you want to do this right, really right, then do yourself a favor and use some good Cognac. I have my preferred brandy, you have yours.
At this point your typical Wisconsinite barkeep is going to add ice and finish the drink in one of two main ways: sweet or sour. Those who take it sweet will ask for a splash of Sprite or 7-Up, those who take it sour get a dose of Collins Mix or Squirt. To me, it’s just a way of watering down the drink, so I leave out the soda and take a more… cocktail-y method.
Crushed ice is a must for me whenever I whip up a Brandy Old Fashioned. I always skip the soda and let the tiny shards of ice do the work, taming those strong, sweet flavors and turning this into a drink you can sip slowly.
As for a garnish, most will throw a “flag” of an orange wedge and a cherry spiked through with a wooden toothpick, but my take here is that those things are already in the drink, so I skip ‘em. Besides, how pretty does that look without the goofy fruit salad perched over the top?
You know, it’s something to enjoy sipping on while you cook up some bratwurst and onions in a boiling kettle of beer before everyone comes over to watch the Packers game. Drink accordingly.
Brandy Old Fashioned
1 sugar cube or 1 tsp 2:1 simple syrup
2 dashes Angostura bitters
1 orange wedge
1 cherry, preferably Amarena or Maraska
2 oz brandy or Cognac
In a chilled old fashioned glass, muddle the sugar, bitters, orange wedge and cherry into a thick paste, careful not to work the orange peel. Add brandy or Cognac, stir, and fill glass with crushed ice and serve.
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About Me
My name is Jeff Morgenthaler and I'm the bar manager at Clyde Common in Portland, Oregon.
I've been tending bar since 1996 and writing about it since 2004. I started tending bar while getting my degree in Interior Architecture, and slowly I came to the conclusion that bartending was what I really loved, and that I might as well drop everything and focus on being a professional bartender. Over the years I have strived, both behind the bar and with this website, to elevate the experience of having a drink from something mundane to something more culinary.
The writing I do here is intended as a work in progress. My recipes are like my opinions: they are constantly being revised and refined as I work them through my mind and my fingers. Comments and participation are encouraged, so please don't feel the need to tread lightly here.
A few years ago I posted some thoughts about why Americans should celebrate the anniversary of the Repeal of Prohibition, and since then people from all over the country have written to tell me about the events they’re organizing, the celebrations they’re planning, and the parties they’re throwing.
20 Nov 2008 at 1:18 PM 1. Jeff - ScienceSays
Got no event planned yet, but as I mentioned, I’m going to be at Founding Farmers on Pennsylvania Ave. for Old Fashioneds and Juleps. You are, of course, invited.
20 Nov 2008 at 1:29 PM 2. SeanMike
I’ve already got my two tickets for the Repeal Day event! Now I just need a date…
20 Nov 2008 at 1:31 PM 3. Jeffrey Morgenthaler
You’re not using my website to trawl for a date, Mister.
20 Nov 2008 at 1:53 PM 4. napplegate
We’re planning a Repeal party in Milwaukee. We’re hoping to have around 100 or so people attending with a bourbon barrel tapping and full 1930’s dress. I hope your event in DC goes just as well.
20 Nov 2008 at 1:55 PM 5. napplegate
correction on the website :/
20 Nov 2008 at 2:12 PM 6. SeanMike
Who said anything about trawling? I’ve just been trying to narrow it down…:)
20 Nov 2008 at 2:31 PM 7. Jeffrey Morgenthaler
Atta boy, SeanMike.
20 Nov 2008 at 3:29 PM 8. Tiare
No such things here..but i`m gonna go with a tiki frind to imbibe cocktails.
20 Nov 2008 at 3:58 PM 9. Jamie
For Repeal Day I’m going to Eugene Oregon to loot what should be an empty house, as I suspect that the owner may be unaware and across the country, half (or fully) blitzed on free whiskey.
20 Nov 2008 at 4:10 PM 10. Jeffrey Morgenthaler
Good luck with that, Jamie, I’ve been couch surfing since September. But you’re right again: whenever there’s free booze to be had, there I will be found.
20 Nov 2008 at 4:19 PM 11. Jenny Adams
I don’t think we have anything going on in Alabama … obviously, since I didn’t organize anything. It’s kinda tough being the only cocktail nerd in your city some days.
I think i’ll go eat mexican and drink beer – because I can … cheers to repeal!
20 Nov 2008 at 4:42 PM 12. Jeffrey Morgenthaler
Adams, I wish you were joining us in DC, it’s been way too long since we had too many drinks together. Really. What’s it been, two whole weeks?
20 Nov 2008 at 5:39 PM 13. Jenny Adams
I think it may be the two week mark – damn! time sucks when we aren’t together getting wasted
What’s going on in DC? Are you with Janet?
20 Nov 2008 at 6:06 PM 14. Jeffrey Morgenthaler
I’m just there with the folks from the DC Guild, but Janet will be there, and Emma, and I’m sure a few other surprises! Wish you were coming, doll, it’s always fun when you’re there.
20 Nov 2008 at 10:19 PM 15. Reese
The Cocktail Hackers are throwing a small party with cocktails and homemade pizza. There will be drinking of course but clearly it will only be in the spirit of our freedom.
20 Nov 2008 at 11:29 PM 16. Foliosus
I’ll be hosting a repeal/holiday party (should we really repeal the holidays…) and serving Devonia Cocktails. Delightful!
21 Nov 2008 at 1:43 AM 17. Tristan
I will be making festive cocktails at the Gordon Ramsay Taste Event in London on the Spirit and Wine Stage.
In fact i’ll be doing it for 4 days.
21 Nov 2008 at 1:44 AM 18. Christian
Hosting a little repeal-party too. Just need the savoy cocktail book…
21 Nov 2008 at 5:46 AM 19. Oscomp
I guess i´ll have a Artillery Cocktail with TBT Repeal Bitters
http://www.drinkology.de/webshop/bitters/the-bitter-truth-repeal-bitters.html
21 Nov 2008 at 11:41 AM 20. juliana
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/20/WI61147OL0.DTL
Either at Bourbon & Branch or Elixir, probably. B&B has the whole speakeasy thing, but Elixir is more awesome and also has the 150-year history. Or I could go off the range to Nopa, where they’re uncorking their house single-barrel Redhead Rye. Too many choices, man!
21 Nov 2008 at 12:04 PM 21. Alex
I’m hoping to have a more well planned, less disastrous repeat of the bar crawl I did last year.
For folks in San Francisco the Chron just did a roundup of places that are having festivities.
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2008/11/20/WI61147OL0.DTL
I knew the possibility of retro cocktail pricing was on the table at Cantina, but I didn’t think the crazy bastard was going to do it. That is going to be some delightful mayhem right there. I also can’t recommend enough anybody in the area get themselves down to NOPA to try the Redhead Rye. That business will blow your mind.
21 Nov 2008 at 12:12 PM 22. Sonja
We’re throwing two bashes in Chicago – details available on our blog here:
http://lupecchicago.blogspot.com/2008/11/party-like-its-1933-repeal-day-in.html
Thanks so much for the Repeal Day website and for spearheading all of this. We’re trying to do our part in Chi-town to make this a real celebration.
22 Nov 2008 at 7:08 AM 23. The Brotherhood of Appreciating Repeal Day
In western Pa, The B.O.A.R.D will host their 2nd Repeal Day event. Details here:
http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_CluCw5G4B4g/SP0uJIU9QbI/AAAAAAAAAKI/Ur34hVgXZ4U/s1600-h/RepealDay-poster%232.JPG
23 Nov 2008 at 8:16 AM 24. 21st Amendment Brewery
Mark your calendar for December 5, the 75th anniversary of the Repeal of Prohibition. On Dec. 5, 1933, after 13 long years of bad homebrew and bathtub gin, the states ratified the 21st Amendment, which abolished the 18th Amendment, ending prohibition in America. To celebrate this momentous day, we’re hosting a Repeal Week Celebration at the 21st Amendment Brewery.
The 21st Amendment is located at 563 2nd St, San Francisco, CA
23 Nov 2008 at 7:11 PM 25. heckler
wow. so many patriots motivated to honor the memory of heroes from days gone by. it’s so gosh darn touching…if only jimmy stewart were alive to play jeffrey “bottoms up” morgenthaler, genuine american patriot.
one if by land
two if by sea
make it a double
is all right be me!
jeffrey “paul revere” morgenthaler
true american spirit
23 Nov 2008 at 11:45 PM 26. Emmabrap
Hello, we are celebrating Repeal Day in the UK this year also, without it, your wonderful bartenders wouldn’t have travelled to Europe and brought their craft with them. Our Repeal Day event is at Miller’s Academy and is an evening hosted by Clive Aslet and Martin Miller’s Gin on the 3rd December (had to do it early as the Martin Miller’s team will then be travelling to DC).
24 Nov 2008 at 10:49 AM 27. Kevin Erskine
DISCUS is throwing a party in New York..invite only for “industry people”. If you have a DISCUS contact…hit them up.
I am throwing my own private party to celebrate.
25 Nov 2008 at 6:40 AM 28. TikiTender
I am organizing a party at the restaurant I work in. Golden Lion in Flagler Beach, Florida. Woohoo!
25 Nov 2008 at 1:12 PM 29. Matt Robold (RumDood)
Unaware of any big events here in the LA/OC area to which I’m invited, so I’m arranging an excursion to the Edison.
25 Nov 2008 at 7:49 PM 30. laura
i dont know what is going down in new orleans that night.my plans so far is work than get a drink after perhaps at Swizzle or Loa if they stay open late that night.
27 Nov 2008 at 10:47 PM 31. John Claude
The Brown University Library for Digital Initiatives has an amazing online repository of material scanned in on subjects concerning alcohol, temperance, and prohibition. Very much worth taking a look at! Some pretty funny reading.
28 Nov 2008 at 8:08 AM 32. Philip Duff
At door 74 here in Sunny Amsterdam, we’re gonnig to host a stealth Repeal Day party. We will dress like gentlemen, serve large amounts of strong, classic cocktails and talk of horseracing, boxing and (if no ladies are in earshot) ladies.
Actually, tat’s what we do all the time, but this time we’ll have Repeal Bitters and maybe raise a toast around midnight if we don’t get distracted and forget. Can you say “half-assed Repeal Day celebration”? We can!
Cheers,
Philip.
PS – Jeffrey, please say hello to the esteemed Jake Parrott from me, when you see him Friday – he visited us last night and was one of the coolest guests in ages, in a bar full of cool guests.
28 Nov 2008 at 10:34 AM 33. Martin
As mentioned above in the SF Chron:
Forbidden Island will pay tribute to Cuba, the drinking destination of choice during Prohibition, with cocktails like the El Presidente, Mary Pickford and daiquiris. 1304 Lincoln Ave. (at Sherman), Alameda; (510) 749-0332, forbiddenislandalameda.com.
Come see us if you get a chance!
29 Nov 2008 at 6:31 PM 34. AOH Chicago
The event is listed in Metromix
http://chicago.metromix.com/bars-and-clubs/bar_club_event/whiskey-rebellion-sheffield-de-paul/795255/content
Whiskey Rebellion
Celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the Legalization of Whiskey
Kelly’s Webster and Sheffield
5:30 – 8:30 Friday December 5, 2008
Fundraiser for the Ancient Order of Hibernians St. Patrick’s Division # 1
Requested Contribution is $33 includes $2 beer and well drinks
For further information please email [email protected]
30 Nov 2008 at 2:56 PM 35. Phil Gomes
Leaving for Asia on a business trip… Otherwise I’d be indulging my Libertarian tendencies by holding another blind tasting here at the Gomecile.
30 Nov 2008 at 6:53 PM 36. Renee Davidson
I’ll be celebrating with 21st Amendment Brewery in San Francisco. Repeal Prohibition Parade starts at 4:00 p.m. at Justin Herman Plaza. Post prohibition party continues at 21st Amendment Brewery, with a password-only speakeasy. Password clues go out Dec. 1 on: http://twitter.com/21stamendment
01 Dec 2008 at 1:34 PM 37. Patrick
I’ll be at a holiday party at work trying Glögg, which I understand to be a form of mulled wine.
02 Dec 2008 at 5:59 AM 38. Kevin Langmack
Repeal Day party on Summit Ave. @ Sun Liquor and the Summit Tavern.
Sun Liquor
607 Summit Ave
Seattle Wa. 98102
03 Dec 2008 at 11:41 AM 39. Sean Wilson
We’re celebrating Repeal Day by raising money for our new brewery! It’s sheer coincidence, really…but what better way to boast of our freedom to drink than to help create a new brewery?
Fullsteam Brewery, Durham N.C.
http://fullsteam.ag
05 Dec 2008 at 5:11 AM 40. Rico Suave
I’ll be mixing the most incredible drinks on the west coast (second to yours, i suppose…)
05 Dec 2008 at 8:13 AM 41. Natalie
RICO- We’ll come see you for our cocktail needs tonight-it’s Jim’s birthday as well as Repeal Day! And await Jeff’s breathless DC tales.
05 Dec 2008 at 11:20 AM 42. Frederic
I’ll be resting my tummy after having a blast last night at Eastern Standard’s Repeal Day Gala (about 2 hours of it was today)…
http://cocktailvirgin.blogspot.com/2008/12/eastern-standards-prohibition-repeal.html
05 Dec 2008 at 12:01 PM 43. Ian
One Word:
Winter Beer Fest in Seattle!
05 Dec 2008 at 12:12 PM 44. Vodka Rob
What better place to celebrate repeal day then at a distillery. We are shutting down the stills early today and hosting a party in our tasting room for all who are involved with our distillery.
Cheers,
Rob
05 Dec 2008 at 12:13 PM 45. Blair, aka Trader Tiki
I’ll be mixing up Prohibition Era cocktails at Acadia, and using your site for free publicity!
A winner is all of us. Have fun with Jacob at the Cato!
05 Dec 2008 at 4:06 PM 46. Jac
Just going to have a few with the folks. And it’s whiskey weather, so I’m gonna mix up a few (Great and Powerful) Manhattans.
It would be kind of nice to have an event to attend, like y’all have in them big cities (don’t get many cocktail parties in rural Arizona :) ), but there’s also something to be said for a quiet round with family.
11 Dec 2008 at 1:29 PM 47. Rick C
Here in Chicago, most of us never realized there was such a thing as prohibition. Ask any old-timer: they simply say “What now? A ban!? Well I certainly don’t recall–seems to me that the bars were open as always. But now that you mention it, there were an aweful lot of passwords those days…”
I suppose we just celebrate our blatant disregard and disdain for un-Americanism. This means you, Blagojevich.