While the classic Old Fashioned (typically made with rye or bourbon) is often hailed as the “original” cocktail, the Brandy Old Fashioned holds a unique and storied place in spirits history. Most famously synonymous with the “Wisconsin Old Fashioned,” this variation transforms the drink from a stiff, spirit-forward sipper into a complex and highly customizable ritual. At its core, the Brandy Old Fashioned adheres to the traditional cocktail definition—spirit, sugar, water, and bitters—but the substitutions and techniques used create a profile that is distinctly savory yet approachable. Our rendition of this reimagined classic uses Lustau Brandy Solera Reserva with a little Lustau PX San Emilio for some added sweetness and silkiness. The end result is a lush and complex brandy cocktail that you will want to revisit often.
COCKTAIL: Old Fashioned
Full Ingredients list
- 2oz Lustau Brandy Solera Reserva
- .5oz Lustau Pedro Ximénez San Emilio
- 2 Dashes Angostura Bitters
- Garnish: Orange Twist
Recipe author: Steven Dragun
Why is it Called An Old Fashioned?
The name “Old Fashioned” is actually a linguistic rebellion. It wasn’t a creative title dreamed up by a marketer, but rather a customer’s way of ordering a drink “the way they used to make it” before cocktails became too complicated. To understand the name, you have to look at the original definition of a cocktail. In 1806, a New York publication defined the “cock-tail” as a specific recipe: any spirit, sugar, water, and bitters. Throughout the mid-19th century, this was the standard template. If you wanted one, you simply asked for a “Whiskey Cocktail” or a “Gin Cocktail.” By the 1870s and 1880s, bartending was entering its first “Golden Age.” Bartenders began adding “fancy” new ingredients that were arriving from Europe, which created a new category known as “Improved Cocktails.” While many loved the new flavors, a vocal group of traditionalists found these additions fussy and unnecessary.
They missed, in fact, the simple, balanced formula of the early 1800s. In protest of these “improved” versions, patrons began asking for their whiskey cocktails made the “old-fashioned way.” Over time, the description became the name. Instead of asking for a “Whiskey Cocktail made the old-fashioned way,” customers shortened it to simply an “Old Fashioned.” The Pendennis Club in Louisville, Kentucky, often claims to be the birthplace of the modern Old Fashioned. According to legend, in 1881 a bartender there named James E. Pepper created the specific recipe and later brought it to the Waldorf-Astoria Hotel in New York City. By the turn of the century, the “Old Fashioned” had officially won the war of nomenclature, securing its place as the definitive name for the world’s most enduring whiskey drink.
Why Brandy de Jerez works so well for an old fashioned cocktail?
Brandy de Jerez brings a specific structural complexity to an Old Fashioned that sets it apart from both standard grape brandies and traditional whiskeys. While a Bourbon Old Fashioned relies on corn sweetness and new charred oak, a Brandy de Jerez version leans into savory, nutty, and oxidative notes. Unlike Cognac or Armagnac, which are typically aged in static barrels, Brandy de Jerez is aged in a solera system method. This fractional blending process means the spirit contains a blend of ages, providing a “built-in” consistency and a deep, mellowed character. In an Old Fashioned, a drink designed to highlight the base spirit, this depth ensures the cocktail doesn’t feel thin even as the ice melts.
Learn more about brandy de Jerez and how is made below:
What glass is best to serve an old fashioned cocktail in?
The ideal vessel for an Old Fashioned is the Rocks glass (7-10oz or 210-300ml), also frequently referred to as a Lowball or an Old Fashioned glass. While it may seem like a simple choice, the design of this glass is functionally specific to the mechanics of the drink. A high-quality rocks glass has a thick, heavy base. This is essential for the muddling process. If you are using the traditional method of crushing a sugar cube with bitters and fruit, you need a sturdy foundation that won’t crack under the pressure of a muddler.
The Old Fashioned is an aromatic cocktail. The wide opening of the glass allows the scents of the expressed citrus oils and the spirit’s bouquet to reach your nose as you sip. Unlike a wine glass or a coupe, the vertical walls make it easy to stir the cocktail directly in the glass with ice, ensuring even dilution and temperature.
How much does it cost to make an old fashioned with brandy?
HOW TO PREPARE A ROB ROY WITH VERMOUTH FROM LUSTAU AT HOME
1. Add all ingredients to a rocks glass.
2. Add ice, and stir.
3. Express oil and garnish with an orange twist.
FAQ
Can you make an Old Fashioned without sugar?
The traditional recipe is spirits, sugar, and bitters, so it technically cannot be called an Old Fashioned. However, if you are trying to watch your sugar content, try selecting a wine such as pedro ximénez, which adds sweetness that balances everything in a very organic, inclusive way.
If you are into velvety, fruity wines such PX, this is an article for you:
What bitters are used in an Old Fashioned?
Angostura Bitters is the typical choice for a classic Old Fashioned, but you are seeing more and more establishments switching the bitters up in order to keep the cocktail new and exciting. If you have a favorite bitter that you like to use, then don’t hesitate to use it in your Old Fashioned
How much alcohol is in an Old Fashioned?
A traditional Old Fashioned with 100 proof rye whiskey has approximately 33.4% ABV. With our Brandy de Jerez Old Fashioned, the ABV is 27.4% which is a bit softer than the traditional recipe.
