Post #733091 by MrBaliHai on Sat, Dec 13, 2014 5:10 AM

On 2014-12-12 21:05, lunavideogames wrote:
I just had my in laws in town from Wisconsin. They kept saying that Manhattans were stronger than Old Fashioneds. This confused me because based on the recipes, Old Fashioneds should be the stronger drink. I showed them the recipes back to back, then I realized that their bartenders were hacking the recipe. They told me that the bartenders would add soda or 7up to the drink, sometimes even 50/50 or worse. I told them that I don't add water or soda to the ones I make, ever. Sad that bartenders could screw up this basic recipe.

They aren't screwing up the basic recipe, what your in-laws are describing is the Wisconsin Brandy Old Fashioned, a deliberate variation on the original, created to satisfy the tastes of the locals, just like a Hawaiian Mai Tai. I live in Wisconsin, and this is what you're going to get in every supper club and bar around the state if you order an Old Fashioned. It can be made sweet or sour to taste (I prefer the sour). Here's a recipe:

http://www.sweetphi.com/wisconsin-brandy-old-fashioned-sour/

The Wisconsin Old Fashioned, if made correctly, is a very good tipple in it's own right, and goes great with yer 4 basic Cheesehead food groups: deep-fried cheese curds, bratwurst, prime rib, and walleye, and is best enjoyed in one of the hundreds of dark, wood-paneled, family-owned supper clubs that dot the shores of our local lakes.