'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (2024)

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  • Alexander Shur | Wisconsin State Journal
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The Madison Mallards made history Saturday night after mixing a record-sized 325-gallon brandy Old Fashioned cocktail for fans.

Sweet or sour?

You can have it either way — and if two Wisconsin lawmakers get their way, you’ll be drinking Wisconsin’s official state cocktail the next time you order a brandy old fashioned.

Just don’t ask for whiskey instead of brandy.

Rep. John Plumer, R-Lodi, and Sen. Cory Tomczyk, R-Mosinee, sent out a resolution Wednesday seeking to make the brandy old fashioned Wisconsin’s official state cocktail.

They sent out statistics to back up their case: “Wisconsin accounts for over half of Korbel’s annual brandy sales in the United States, purchasing over 150,000 cases of Korbel brandy in 2019 alone.”

The story of the cocktail, the resolution authors state, began in World War II when American distilleries halted their normal operations to provide Europe with grain. Not long after, Wisconsinites found 30,000 cases of Christian Brothers brandy in the state.

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Then came bitters, ice, sugar, a soft drink, sour mix or club soda, oranges, cherries, olives and pickled vegetables (pickled vegetables?).

“The old-fashioned has become an unmistakable symbol of Wisconsin, its residents, and its unique culture,” the resolution authors continue.

Wisconsin has a large number of official symbols. Its official symbol of peace is the mourning dove, insect is the honey bee, tree is the sugar maple, bird is the robin, and flower is the wood violet. The official pastry is a Kringle, fruit is the cranberry, herb is ginseng and dairy product is cheese.

Its official state cocktail? We’ll see.

From Badgers to Kringle, test your knowledge of Wisconsin's state symbols

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (1)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (2)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (3)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (4)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (5)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (6)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (7)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (8)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (9)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (10)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (12)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (13)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (14)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (15)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (16)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (17)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (18)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (19)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (20)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (21)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (22)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (23)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (24)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (25)

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (26)

The story of the cocktail, the resolution authors state, began in World War II when American distilleries halted their normal operations to provide Europe with grain.

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'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail (2024)

FAQs

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail? ›

'Who doesn't love an old fashioned?': Lawmakers seek to make drink official Wisconsin cocktail. The Madison Mallards made history Saturday night after mixing a record-sized 325-gallon brandy Old Fashioned cocktail for fans. Sweet or sour?

What is the official drink of the Wisconsin old fashioned? ›

Wisconsin crowns the brandy old fashioned as the official state cocktail : NPR. Wisconsin crowns the brandy old fashioned as the official state cocktail Lawmakers in Wisconsin have passed a resolution declaring the state's official cocktail: the brandy old fashioned.

What is the difference between an old fashioned and an old fashioned in Wisconsin? ›

For the unfamiliar, the old fashioned cocktail in just about every place other than Wisconsin is traditionally made with a whiskey, like bourbon, sugar and bitters. But in Wisconsin, brandy usually replaces whiskey — and it's most often poured over a mixture of muddled cherries, orange slices, sugar and bitters.

Why do Wisconsinites drink brandy? ›

Brandy's popularity in Wisconsin started when a large number of German immigrants moved here in the 19th century and couldn't find their favorite drink, brandewijn. This prompted Korbel to start distilling for the public in 1889. Small-batch local distilleries produce – or have produced – brandy, too.

Who consumes the most brandy in the world? ›

It may surprise some to learn that the Badger State consumes more brandy than anywhere else in the United States. In 2019, Wisconsinites accounted for more than half of the worldwide sales of Korbel brandy.

What state drinks the most old fashioned? ›

Then came bitters, ice, sugar, a soft drink, sour mix or club soda, oranges, cherries, olives and pickled vegetables (pickled vegetables?). “The old-fashioned has become an unmistakable symbol of Wisconsin, its residents, and its unique culture,” the resolution authors continue.

What state makes the best old fashioned? ›

That's because the Brandy Old Fashioned is the (un)official cocktail of Wisconsin. Nationally, Old Fashioneds are typically made with rye or bourbon whiskey, but the true Wisconsin Old Fashioned is made with brandy -- Korbel by tradition.

Is an Old Fashioned a ladies drink? ›

Similarly, for the past few decades, the old-fashioned has been seen as a man's drink, but after Prohibition, the old-fashioned was one of the most popular drinks ordered by women. Understanding this connection between women and cocktail culture places women back into a story that popular culture has removed them from.

What can I order instead of Old Fashioned? ›

Like an Old Fashioned? Try these similar whisky drinks next
  • Simple, delicious and timeless. The Old Fashioned is a classic whisky cocktail. ...
  • Sazerac. ...
  • Apple Cider Old Fashioned. ...
  • Whisky Sour. ...
  • Orange Twist. ...
  • White Orchid. ...
  • Whisky Bitters. ...
  • Whisky Tonic.

Why are Old Fashioned so popular? ›

The cocktail was so simple that it continued in popularity by drinkers who refused to change their ways and drink more modern cocktails. These drinkers always ordered their drinks the old fashioned way with whiskey or bourbon, sugar, water and bitters.

Why is drinking so big in Wisconsin? ›

One common theory about why Wisconsin's drinking culture is so extreme is linked to the state's German heritage. About 43 percent of the state's population claims German roots, which explains Wisconsin's drinking culture — so the theory goes — since medieval Germans are the ones who invented hopped beer.

What is the most popular drink in Wisconsin? ›

1. Wisconsin's Twist on a Classic — The Brandy Old Fashioned. Did you know Wisconsin consumes the most brandy per capita in the country? Part of the reason is due to our official state cocktail, the Brandy Old Fashioned.

What is Wisconsin's state drink? ›

The Wisconsin Legislature designated milk as the official state beverage in 1987. This action recognized Wisconsin's position as the nation's leading milk-producing state and the contribution of milk to the state's economy.

Who is the biggest alcoholic of all time? ›

In fact, no other human has ever matched Andre as a drinker. He is the zenith. He is the Mount Everest of inebriation. As far as great drunkards go, there is Andre the Giant, and then there is everyone else.

Who has the highest rate of alcoholism in the world? ›

Russia and Australia have the highest prevalence of alcoholism dependence overall, with 2.61 per cent and 2.58 per cent, respectively. According to the World Health Organization, US has the lowest rate of alcohol dependence with only 1.93 per cent.

What is USA's number 1 brandy? ›

Leading brandy & cognac brands in the U.S. 2022, based on volume sales. In 2022, Hennessy was the leading brandy and cognac brand in the United States with about 4.1 million 9 liter cases sold. E&J ranked second with 3.5 million cases sold.

What is Wisconsin's signature drink? ›

Wisconsin's Twist on a Classic — The Brandy Old Fashioned

Did you know Wisconsin consumes the most brandy per capita in the country? Part of the reason is due to our official state cocktail, the Brandy Old Fashioned. It's the Old Fashioned cocktail you know and love, with brandy in place of whiskey.

What is the main alcohol in Old Fashioned? ›

The Old Fashioned is arguably the most well-known whiskey cocktail in the world. Essentially just a slug of bourbon that's been lightly sweetened with sugar and modified with a couple dashes of bitters, it's dead simple to make, but within this basic template is a world of opinions and flavor.

What is the drinking culture in Wisconsin? ›

Wisconsin has historically ranked as one of the heaviest drinking states in the United States with a persistent drinking culture. Few studies have documented the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on alcohol consumption after the first few months of the pandemic.

What is the difference between cognac and brandy? ›

Examples of brandy include pisco, armagnac or Obstler (a brandy produced in Austria and Switzerland). Cognac, however, is always made with grapes and has a very specific distillation and blending process located in a small, protected area in the southwest of France. considered as brandy, but not all brandy is cognac.”

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