I’m not entirely sure how or when I became obsessed with Madison, only that it snuck up on me. Perhaps it had something to do with:
Weekly trips to the largest producers-only farmers market in the country (conveniently located two minutes from our front door)Endless baskets of fried cheese curds (scroll to the bottom of this post for my favorite Madison bars, restaurants and sights)More Friday fish fries than I can count (especially if I include those made at home using this Fish and Chips recipe)Morning runs that look like thisPicture-perfect sunsets off the lakeWriting MANY blog posts on our apartment building’s rooftop, with a favorite cocktail in hand
Madison is also the city that introduced me to the old fashioned. Something which I will forever be grateful for.
About Brandy Old Fashioneds
An old fashioned is a cocktail that has been around since the 19th century but was tragically missing from my life (as were these Peach Margaritas) until I moved to Wisconsin. While I can’t speak for the rest of the state, in Madison, old fashioneds are a big deal. No matter which bar you enter, chances are that they pour a good one. While there are a few ways to order an old fashioned, most begin with:
A sugar cube muddled with bitters, maraschino cherries, and orangeSplash of soda (regular soda water, Sprite or Squirt are most common depending on if you like your old fashioned sweet, sour or somewhere in between)AND a generous pour of booze (whiskey is traditional, but here in Wisconsin, the classic recipe is with brandy)
How to Make a Brandy Old Fashioned
Today’s brandy old fashioned recipe is based on the Madison bar I believe pours the very best, a restaurant appropriately named “The Old Fashioned.” I’ve watched (and sipped) many brandy old fashioneds here, and after a good amount of at-home experimentation, I believe I’ve nailed their version (they have many on their menu) of an old fashioned press with Korbel.
The Ingredients
Raw Sugar Cube. Helps the orange slices and cherries release their juices. Feel free to use raw turbinado sugar if you don’t keep sugar cubes stocked. Maraschino Cherries. Gives the drink a subtle, sweet cherry taste.Orange Slices. Gives the cocktail a burst of refreshing citrus.Bitters. Balances, enhances and marries all of the flavors together. Brandy. Korbel to be exact. It adds such a warm, buttery taste and feel to the cocktail.Soda Water. For just a little fizz.Lemon-Lime Soda. Adds some extra sweetness to the drink.Ice. Because a warm old fashioned is just sad.
The Directions
To Madison: the city where I fell in love with Wisconsin, converted 50% of my wardrobe to plaid, realized I feel more complete near water, began my marriage (and a food blog), and made dear friends I’ll cherish you for the rest of my life. Cheers! If you are ever in Madison, these are a few of our favorite places and spaces.
The Old Fashioned. Home of the city’s best fried cheese curds (order the paprika and tiger blue dipping sauces), best old fashioned, and honest Wisconsin fare (the #35 is my regular pick. #41 is Ben’s). They have a mighty beer list, 100% of which hail from WI.Graze. My favorite restaurant for every birthday and anniversary. Order the spicy bibimbap, smashing $21 burger (worth it), fried pickles (mandatory) and any one of their constantly changing craft cocktails.Sardine. French bistro with the best mussels + fries in the city, lake view, and a fabulous brunch too. Also, I just feel fancy when I eat here.Salvatores Tomatoes Pies. Best pizza I have ever eaten outside of Italy. Tucked away in a suburban strip mall, this place defines hidden gem.Brasserie V. Killer Belgian beer list, some of which hit nearly 11% ABV.Tipsy Cow. Monday night 1/2-price truffle fries are a regular fixture in our lives. Always excellent beer list.The Cooper’s Tavern. More good beer, excellent soft pretzels with beer cheese, and hearty Irish fare with a gourmet twist.Jacs Dining and Tap House. Again, I love the beer here (believe it or not, all of these places offer a little something different). Ben’s favorite burger (the Bourbon Burger).Alchemy. Incredible sweet potato fries and my favorite burger (the Tinshack Smokehouse Bison Burger).Fresco. Feel fancy sipping your cocktail with a rooftop view of the city. The gnocchi rocks my socks and is discounted on Thursday night.The Dane County (Downtown Madison) Farmers Market. My heaven on earth.Madison Sourdough. I will mourn no longer having this treasure in my neighborhood.Batch Bakehouse. City’s best croissants. I treat myself to two every birthday.Underground Butcher. Their house-cured sausages are why I can never be a vegetarian.Michael’s Frozen Custard. Order one of their classic sundaes in at least a medium size. You’ll thank me later.The Memorial Union Terrace. So many memories.
