We’re pretty serious when it comes to Old Fashioneds in Wisconsin, and that’s cool. I love the tradition and I love a good brandy old fashioned, sweet or sour.
I should add that I’m an equal opportunity Old Fashioned fan – sweet, sour, brandy, bourbon – and I loved the bourbon Old Fashioned, pictured below, that I enjoyed last summer in Louisville – where you can also get a mean Old Fashioned slushy.
But I also love that what’s Old Fashioned is new again, with all kinds of new takes out there on this classic cocktail.
(PHOTO: Lori Fredrich)
And the innovation is not limited to booze. Of course, Mr. Dye’s Pies makes a great brandy Old Fashioned cherry pie in its kitchen on the far northwest side, and recently I heard that Colectivo has launched a "Cold Fashioned" drink special in its cafes, with Colectivo Bottled Cold Brew, cherry syrup, orange bitters, a splash of sparkling water and an orange slice.
(PHOTO: Colectivo)
Recently, I got this recipe for a maple Old Fashioned from the folks at New York State's Hudson Whiskey, which makes some of my favorite bourbon and rye. It’s a perfect autumn or winter quaff, if you ask me.
(PHOTO: B&E's Trees)
This one uses Hudson’s Maple Cask Rye, which has a nice hint of earthy sweetness that really makes this cocktail special. I also boosted the Wisconsin cred of this recipe by using B & E’s Trees’ bourbon-barrel-aged maple syrup, made in Viroqua.
Maple Old Fashioned
- 2 parts Hudson Maple Cask Rye
- A teaspoon of B&E’s Trees’ organic bourbon-barrel-aged maple syrup
- 3-4 dashes (to taste) aromatic bitters
To an Old Fashioned glass, add maple syrup, then bitters, then ice, followed by the Hudson Maple Cask Rye. Stir well to mix and chill. Garnish with an apple slice and cinnamon stick and serve (preferably with a slice of Mr. Dye's pie).
Born in Brooklyn, N.Y., where he lived until he was 17, Bobby received his BA-Mass Communications from UWM in 1989 and has lived in Walker's Point, Bay View, Enderis Park, South Milwaukee and on the East Side.
He has published three non-fiction books in Italy – including one about an event in Milwaukee history, which was published in the U.S. in autumn 2010. Four more books, all about Milwaukee, have been published by The History Press.
With his most recent band, The Yell Leaders, Bobby released four LPs and had a songs featured in episodes of TV's "Party of Five" and "Dawson's Creek," and films in Japan, South America and the U.S. The Yell Leaders were named the best unsigned band in their region by VH-1 as part of its Rock Across America 1998 Tour. Most recently, the band contributed tracks to a UK vinyl/CD tribute to the Redskins and collaborated on a track with Italian novelist Enrico Remmert.
He's produced three installments of the "OMCD" series of local music compilations for OnMilwaukee.com and in 2007 produced a CD of Italian music and poetry.
In 2005, he was awarded the City of Asti's (Italy) Journalism Prize for his work focusing on that area. He has also won awards from the Milwaukee Press Club.
He has be heard on 88Nine Radio Milwaukee talking about his "Urban Spelunking" series of stories, in that station's most popular podcast.
