Are You Old Fashioned?

If states had official cocktails, as they do mottos, Wisconsin’s would certainly be the brandy old fashioned.  The original Old Fashioned is a simple cocktail dating back to the early 1800s, made with whiskey (often bourbon or rye), sugar, bitters, and a twist of citrus.  Why brandy and not whiskey, as is customary elsewhere?  Might it be a penchant for fruit brandies that Germans brought to Wisconsin in the 19th century?  

Could it be marketing?  Some say Korbel’s introduction of its brandy in 1893 at the Columbian Exposition in Chicago turned the heads of Wisconsin Germans who visited the fair and then spread the word when they returned.  American GIs stationed in Europe during WWII developed a taste for European brandies. When they returned home—especially in heavily German-influenced states like Wisconsin—they kept drinking it.  

By the 1950s, Wisconsin bartenders were commonly making Old Fashioneds with Korbel brandy instead of whiskey. They also began muddling cherries and orange slices, sweetening it more than the original, and adding options like: Sweet (with 7Up or Sprite), Sour (with Squirt or sour mix) or Press (half 7Up, half seltzer water).

Nowadays,  Old Fashioned's go hand in hand with another beloved regional institution, the supper club. This is the cocktail so prevalent as an evening starter that bartenders can practically mix them with their eyes closed.

Fast Facts -  Over 50% of Korbel's brandy is consumed in Wisconsin alone, even though it's produced in California.  On a per capita basis, Wisconsin's brandy consumption is dramatically higher than any other state.

Pro Tip - Looking for a uniquely Wisconsin spin?  Sweeten your Old Fashioned with maple syrup.