The Wisconsin Old Fashioned uses Korbel brandy instead of whiskey, muddled with a sugar cube, orange slice, maraschino cherry, Angostura bitters and a splash of Sprite or sour mix.
Where to eat it: 9 restaurants across 2 cities.
The Old Fashioned cocktail originated in Louisville in the 1880s with whiskey. Wisconsin's variant emerged in the 1880s when the state's German and Polish immigrant population preferred brandy, which had been imported in volume from Germany. Korbel Brandy from California, distributed cheaply across the Midwest, became the canonical pour; by the 1950s the Wisconsin Old Fashioned was a defining state cocktail. The Old Fashioned restaurant on North Pinckney took the cocktail's name as its identity in 2005, codifying the muddled-fruit-plus-brandy ritual into a tavern menu.
Tip from the editors. Korbel brandy is canonical; substitute Christian Brothers. Some bars use 7-Up instead of Sprite. Ask sweet or sour at the bar to set the muddle.
This is the TableJourney editorial recipe, modelled on the canonical bistro / counter version. The first place to try the dish in its city of origin is below.
The Old Fashioned on North Pinckney, the Wisconsin-tavern flagship on Capitol Square, pours hundreds of Wisconsin beers and the brandy Old Fashioned standard.
Signature drink: Brandy Old Fashioned sweet, the city's standard
Food: Wisconsin supper club menu, fish fry, cheese curds
Tornado Steak House on South Hamilton, the Capitol Square supper club, pairs a white-linen wine list with aged steaks and the Friday fish fry.
Signature pour: Steakhouse-paired California red or Wisconsin sparkling
Wine focus: Supper-club bottle list with steakhouse-friendly reds
Food: Wisconsin supper club menu, steaks and Friday fish fry
Settle Down Tavern on South Pinckney from Sam Parker, Ryan Huber and Brian Bartels is the city's new-American tavern with a deep brandy Old Fashioned list.
Signature drink: Wisconsin brandy Old Fashioned with a high-end pour
Food: New American supper club menu
Schwoegler's Park Towne Lanes on Grand Canyon Drive, the Madison bowling-and-supper-club institution since 1919, runs a fish fry and a sports bar restaurant.
Signature: Friday fish fry, Burgers
Order: The Friday fish fry plate with the brandy Old Fashioned at Keglers Sports Bar.
Tip: Restaurant runs 11:00 to close all seven days; the 36 synthetic lanes plus volleyball draw the family crowd.
Bryant's Cocktail Lounge on South 9th Street in Lincoln Village has poured no-menu cocktails since 1938 with dealer's-choice service and signature pink.
Why locals love it: A no-menu Lincoln Village cocktail lounge with dealer's-choice service since 1938 most tourists skip.
Tip: Tell the bartender what spirits and flavors you like and let them build your cocktail tonight.
Five O'Clock Steakhouse on West State Street has been a Wisconsin supper club since 1948, with bone-in steaks broiled at 1700 degrees and a relish tray.
Signature: Bone-in ribeye, Brandy Old Fashioned
Order: Bone-in ribeye and the relish tray; a brandy Old Fashioned at the bar first.
Tip: Friday and Saturday book a week out on OpenTable; the bar takes walk-ins from 16:00.
Boone and Crockett on South Water Street in Walker's Point is a craft cocktail bar with a deep brandy Old Fashioned program, vegan snacks and a small natural.
Signature drink: Wisconsin Old Fashioned
Food: Vegan bar snacks
Hi Hat Lounge on North Arlington Place on the Lower East Side is a classic Milwaukee cocktail lounge with a tin ceiling, brandy Old Fashioneds and the Garage.
Why locals love it: A tin-ceilinged Lower East Side cocktail lounge tucked just next to the Brady Street bar strip that most out-of-town visitors walk straight past tonight.
Tip: Order a brandy Old Fashioned and ask the bartender for the cocktail-of-the-month from the chalkboard.
At Random on South Delaware Avenue in Bay View has poured tiki and dessert cocktails in a red-velvet lounge since 1964; recently revived after a brief.
Why locals love it: A red-velvet 1964 Bay View lounge with tiki and dessert cocktails revived after a brief closure recently.
Tip: Order a Tiki Love Bowl or a Pink Squirrel; cash-friendly bar with no menus on most tables.
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