Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet (2024)

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ByTiffany Dahle Published:August 31, 2016September 1, 2023 Last Modified:September 1, 2023

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This Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet co*cktail recipe is the beloved classic co*cktail at Wisconsin supper clubs and local bars. Enjoy this brandy co*cktail with the traditional cherry and citrus twist.

Growing up in Milwaukee, a classic midwestern Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet was the co*cktail of choice for an evening out. It would make a fun addition to your football party beverage station as we head into the fall season!

I'm a Milwaukee native and my husband hails from northern Minnesota.

Football season definitely finds us each craving the snacks, treats, and co*cktails we enjoyed during football games back in the midwest.

While we were making the rounds all throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota for a family road trip, we stopped to visit some college friends and have lunch at The Old Fashioned in Madison, Wisconsin.

I had nearly forgotten all about Old Fashioned Sweets, a staple co*cktail from my college days. It inspired me to recreate this recipe for our tailgating party.

Now you can learn how to make a brandy old fashioned just like the ones you'd find at a Wisconsin supper club.

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Why This is the Best Recipe
Ingredients
How to Garnish an Old Fashioned
Serving Suggestions
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Why This is the Best Recipe

I grew up eating the boozy maraschino cherries from my grandparents' co*cktails back when no one raised an eye brow at such things.

I think this is the best brandy old fashioned sweet recipe because:

Classic Recipe: This tastes JUST like the old fashioneds I remember from the awesome Wisconsin bars back home.
Perfect Girlie Drink: I'm not a beer drinker at all, this fall co*cktail was the perfect alternative for football games and parties.
Sweet, but Not TOO Sweet: Yes "sweet" is in the name, but this isn't a strawberry margarita or pina colada. The brandy and citrus definitely help tone things down.

Ingredients

If you want to make a real old fashioned, all you need is:

Brandy
Lemon Lime Soda: like Sprite or 7Up
Aromatic Bitters: like Angostura
Sugar
Fresh Orange
Jarred Maraschino Cherries

While there are many variations on Old Fashioneds, my favorite is made with brandy and mixed with lemon lime soda and a splash of grenadine.

The co*cktail isn't too strong and is perfect for a hot football tailgate or for feeling warm and cozy if you're watching back at home.

It's not something you can really make in a big batch, but with such a short ingredient list, it is super easy to whip one up on demand for your guests.

My recipe makes enough for 2 servings at a crack.

How to Garnish an Old Fashioned

Is there anything better than a boozy cherry garnish on a co*cktail??

I still remember my grandma and grandpa letting me eat their maraschino cherries all saturated in brandy when I was young.

The fresh oranges and bright red cherries make this such a fun co*cktail to serve.

Serving Suggestions

If you're going to truly enjoy a brandy old fashioned sweet, I feel like you need to make one along with a cozy midwestern snack board or hearty dinner.

I spent my University of Wisconsin college years enjoying hot pretzels and raspberry mustard at a bar off the capitol square. It was our go-to bar food for good reason.

You could also make a batch of roasted sausages and potatoes, they pair so well with spicy mustard and an old fashioned.

Or for a football party snack, pair your old fashioned co*cktail with a hot Swedish meatball sausage dip.

Easy Pretzels to Bake With Kids
Homemade Raspberry Mustard Dip
Roasted Sausages and Potatoes with Apples
Swedish Meatball Sausage Dip

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