Ranked by TableJourney editorial score.
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.
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.
4 editor picks for Wisconsin brandy Old Fashioned in Madison, ranked by editorial score. All Madison signature dishes · Wisconsin brandy Old Fashioned across every city.
Also in: Milwaukee.
The Old Fashioned on North Pinckney, the Wisconsin canon codified into a tavern menu since 2005, runs cheese curds, fish fry and brandy Old Fashioneds.
OrderFried Wisconsin cheese curds with a brandy Old Fashioned, plus the Friday fish fry if it's a Friday.
TipWalk-in is reliable any night except Friday; book through OpenTable for Friday fish fry to skip the long wait.
Tornado Steak House on South Hamilton, a block off Capitol Square, runs Madison's traditional supper club tier with steaks and the weekly Friday fish fry.
OrderA bone-in ribeye and a brandy Old Fashioned at the bar before sitting.
TipReserve on OpenTable a week ahead for Friday fish fry; the bar pours faster than the dining room turns.
Settle Down Tavern on South Pinckney, in the First Settlement District a block off Capitol Square, runs a tight tavern menu and a strong cocktail program.
OrderThe Settle Down burger and one of the rotating Old Fashioned variations on the cocktail menu.
TipClosed Sundays; weeknight 16:00 happy hour is reliably the easiest seat.
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.
OrderThe Friday fish fry plate with the brandy Old Fashioned at Keglers Sports Bar.
TipRestaurant runs 11:00 to close all seven days; the 36 synthetic lanes plus volleyball draw the family crowd.
Wisconsin brandy Old Fashioned makes more sense with someone from Madison explaining it. These are the classes and tours we have checked, with booking links.
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