Brandy Old-Fashioned

The classic cocktail gets a sweeter makeover in the Brandy Old-Fashioned. This easy-to-make drink would be great for any beginning bartender!

About this Brandy Old-Fashioned recipe

Classic cocktails are classic for a reason. They’ve stood the test of time and remain popular choices at bars, restaurants and for home mixologists.

The old-fashioned is no exception. It has plenty of merits — simple to make, well-balanced and has plenty of twists — and yet the bourbon can be a bit bold for some palates.

Enter, the Brandy Old-Fashioned. This variation swaps the bourbon for brandy, a sweeter spirit that results in a lighter cocktail. Now, this swap doesn’t invite you to disregard my steps for the best old-fashioned (it’s different than what they teach in bartending school, trust me), but creates a hand-crafted drink I know you’ll love.

More brandy recipes: Vieux Carré • Brandy Alexander • Brandy Manhattan

What is brandy?

Brandy is a spirit that is made by fermenting fruit juices or wine. It can be made with almost any fruit, from pears to apples to cherries, with each providing a unique flavor profile. More expensive fruit is used for what is classified as fine brandy, while more common fruits become mass-produced brandy.

It can be enjoyed on its own as an after-dinner digestif, but is also found in cocktails as well, such as the Sidecar and Brandy Alexander. Cognac is the specialty type of brandy that is most commonly used in cocktails.

History of the Brandy Old-Fashioned

The Brandy Old-Fashioned is also known by the moniker Wisconsin Old-Fashioned, and with good reason.

It’s thought that drink originated in Wisconsin after the Korbel Brothers introduced brandy to the Midwest at the Chicago World’s Fair of 1893. According to BonApetit.com, Wisconsin was especially enamored by the spirit and shipped it by the truckload, until Prohibition halted things.

Bootlegging and moonshine became prominent in the area, with people adding fruits to the booze in order to make it more palatable. When alcohol became legal again, the fruity element stuck around.

The Brandy Old-Fashioned is a bit more sessionable than its bourbon counterpart to account for the supper club days that were oh so popular in Wisconsin. Now that those days are gone, this is a sweet sipper that’s perfect to enjoy anytime — although I recommend tweaking the recipe for the best results. After all, the Wisconsinite way involves soda, a definite no (for either lemon-lime soda or club soda) in my book!

Tools & glassware

One of the things that makes this recipe great for beginning home bartenders is that it doesn’t require many fancy tools or equipment.

To make an old-fashioned, you’ll need a mixing glass and a bar spoon ^*. Some recipes call for using a muddler to smash the cherry, which is never necessary but certainly an option. A large, clear ice cube makes me feel like I’m sipping my drink at a classy cocktail bar rather than at home.

At bars and restaurants, it’s typical to see old-fashioneds served in either rocks glasses or old-fashioned glasses: short, heavy-bottomed tumblers. As with any drink, you can use whichever glass you prefer or have on hand.

favorite rocks glasses

striped old-fashioned glasses

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hobnail rocks glasses

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minimalist rocks glasses

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Ingredients

My version of the Brandy Old-Fashioned closely follows the classic old-fashioned recipe, so if you like to enjoy those you probably have most of this in your home bar already.

• Brandy or cognac: Cognac is aged longer than brandy, giving it a more complex flavor. You can use either for this drink as they both provide sweet, fruity elements.
• Simple syrup: I prefer to make my own simple syrup — it’s so easy! You can even make a sugar-free simple syrup right at home.
• Aromatic bitters: Angostora is most common in an old-fashioned.

Garnishes

Orange zest: This orange accent creates an aromatic garnish that not only looks great, but enhances the flavor of the drink as well. The orange zest is only the outer portion of the orange peel, leaving the bitter pith (white part) out.

Cocktail cherry: Leave the maraschino cherries to Shirley Temples and opt for a true cocktail cherry ^*. You can make your own cocktail cherries or purchase some.

favorite cocktail cherries

luxardo cherries

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amarena cherries

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bourbon cherries

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Large ice cube: When it comes to cooling things down, I prefer to use a large ice cube or sphere. I’ve found that since these melt more slowly, your drink doesn’t get watered down as quickly. Use the directional freezing method to create clear ice that feels like a fancy cocktail bar!

Best brandy for a Brandy Old-Fashioned

My go-to advice when it comes to cocktail is always to use the best spirit — in this case, brandy — you can afford. More expensive spirits have the best depth of flavor and create higher-quality drinks. In this case though, save the really expensive stuff to sip on in a brandy snifter.

Cognac is a specific type of aged French brandy that is made from distilled white wine and aged in French oak barrels. It’s the commonly-used liquor for cocktails and would work well in this recipe. You can also use Calvados (French apple brandy) or Armagnac (rustic French brandy).

Keep in mind that American brandy tends to be fruitier and less oaky than Cognac or Armagnac — this can be an approachable alternative.

Substitutions & variations

1. Mix your spirits. If you’d prefer more of the classic old-fashioned flavor with some sweetness, you can make your drink with half brandy and half bourbon.
2. Try a different bitter. Angostura is the traditional choice, but use your favorite bitters to customize the flavor of your old-fashioned.
3. Make it booze-free. Choose zero-proof spirits and non-alcoholic bitters to create a mocktail version of this popular sipper.
4. Add flavor. Simple syrup is an easy way to switch up your drink. Try something that pairs well with the fruitiness of brandy, like lavender or cherry.
5. Step up your presentation. Try different fruits and herbs as a garnish, add a special cocktail pick, or try making berry ice cubes or flower ice cubes for a gorgeous presentation.

Instructions

Now that we have the details down, let’s make a Brandy Old-Fashioned!

First, fill your mixing glass ^* with ice. This is how you’ll cool down your drink. Add your brandy and simple syrup, stirring gently to combine and chill them.

Strain your mixture into a rocks glass ^* with a large ice cube. Then, you’ll drop your bitters in — they’re measured in dashes — to your liking.

Garnish with a piece of orange zest and add a cocktail cherry ^*. Then, you’re ready to enjoy!

Food pairings

With a sweeter drink, a menu heavy with salty and cheesy foods balances things out. Try a simple cheese and charcuterie board or pizza dough breadsticks (with pepperoni dip).

Need something sweet to end the meal? Shortbread matcha cookies or bourbon ginger ale cake are both great options as they aren’t overly sweet.

FAQ

More old-fashioned recipes

• Smoked Old-Fashioned
• Tequila Old-Fashioned
• Scotch Old-Fashioned
• Old-Fashioned Mocktail