Taste Iconic Wisconsin Old Fashioneds with a Twist

Engraved in Wisconsin tradition is a handcrafted cocktail that you most likely know and love, the Wisconsin Old Fashioned. Typically, this iconic drink is made with bourbon, simple syrup, a splash of bitters and is garnished with an orange slice and cherries. But have you ever tried this classic sip with a twist? Master drink crafters throughout the state have transformed this beloved classic with flavors like strawberry rhubarb pie and maple topped with cherrywood smoked bacon or spicy habanero. Discover places in Wisconsin to savor a unique spinoff on the original Old Fashioned with your crew – cheers to that! 

Bleu Restaurant & Lounge – De Pere

Maple Rye Old Fashioned

Savor the flavors of fall (or any season) with this sweet sip at Bleu Restaurant and Lounge in De Pere. Rye whiskey, house molasses and maple simple syrup are mixed to create the famous Maple Rye Old Fashioned. It’s maple-wood smoked and sour and served on the rocks – and it’s ready to be enjoyed by you and your crew in their rustic yet modern space.

Not only do they have tasty Old Fashioneds, but they also have delicious dishes perfect for sharing — from goat cheese curds and jumbo lump crab cakes to charcuterie boards and more.

The Red Mixer – Eau Claire

Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned

If you have a sweet tooth, then you’ll surely cherry-ish this trendy cocktail. The Smoked Cherry Old Fashioned at The Red Mixer in Eau Claire is infused with cherry syrup, bitters, a splash of water and Buffalo Trace Bourbon. It’s garnished with smoked cherry woodchips and a Luxardo cherry (of course). Feel like you can already taste it?

Peach Old Fashioned

You and your besties will feel just peachy after trying this one. To make this tasty creation, fresh peaches are combined with bitters, a splash of special syrup and Whiskey Smiths Peach whiskey. To end on a tasty note, it’s garnished with a Brule peach slice. This Old Fashioned spinoff is one that you and your friends should add to your must-try list.

To add to these tasty sips, you and your group can order their famous buffalo chicken flatbread, spinach artichoke dip or a savory jalapeno cheese stuffed pretzel. Which one are you going to try?

Mallory's Restaurant & Rooftop Bar – Hudson

Strawberry Rhubarb Pie Old Fashioned

Remember the last time you had a bite of grandma’s homemade strawberry rhubarb pie? This flavorful sip incorporates all the sweet notes of juicy strawberries and rhubarb that you know and love. Try one, you’ll be sure to come back with your Old Fashioned connoisseurs.

You can sip on this handcrafted cocktail at Mallory's Restaurant & Rooftop Bar in Hudson and order a breakfast burger or the parmesan walleye and enjoy it on the rooftop with a gorgeous river view and cozy fire tables. Or, wander down with your crew to the basement speakeasy for vintage vibes.

The Craftsman American Tavern – Eagle River 

Dark Chocolate Old Fashioned

Are you a chocolate lover? Satisfy your sweet tooth by indulging in the Dark Chocolate Old Fashioned at The Craftsman American Tavern in Eagle River. What’s better than combining this classic cocktail with dark chocolate goodness? (We’ll wait). The mixologists combine rich Kohler Dark Chocolate Brandy and Grand Mariner. The flavors come together and make this Old Fashioned a delicious treat.

From the impossible cranberry meatball sliders and amber ale cheese curds to parmesan truffle tots and buffalo bleu Cajun tots, you can try these one-of-a-kind shareables with your favorite people.

El Camino Kitchen – Pleasant Prairie 

Mango Habanero Old Fashioned

If you enjoy a savory drink with a kick of spice, then the Mango Habanero Old Fashioned from the master drink crafters at El Camino Kitchen in Pleasant Prairie is for you. It’s 1.5 ounces of mango habanero whiskey, 1 orange, 1 cherry muddled, bitters, simple syrup and a splash of Sierra mist. This is one that can be shared with your spicey-sip-loving friend. If you need something sweet to calm down the spicy, then the tres leches, fried ice cream or triple chocolate cake is for you (or your group can indulge in all three).  

TJ’s Highland Steakhouse – Oshkosh  

Cherry Maple Old Fashioned

When you mix cherry and maple together, you get a delicious Cherry Maple Old Fashioned. The mixologists at TJ’s Highland Steakhouse in Oshkosh combine Travers City cherry bourbon, maple syrup and Gossling’s ginger beer, served over ice. You and your group will be blown away by both the unique flavors and décor that’s modeled after a traditional Scottish lodge.

Taste delicious appetizers from smoked steak tartare to a bourbon bacon slab and bacon wrapped scallops. This place is one to check out with your crew.

Hatch Distilling Company – Egg Harbor 

Hibisky Old Fashioned

Here’s to enjoying a refreshing sip: the Hibisky Old Fashioned at Hatch Distilling Company in Egg Harbor. This creation is mixed with Hibiscus simple syrup and an array of bitters to create notes of floral flavor and is the perfect sip to enjoy in their tasting room or on the patio with your crew. The Hatch Distillery uses many local Door County ingredients in their tasty Old Fashioned creations.

Driftless Glen Distillery & Restaurant – Baraboo 

Blackberry Old Fashioned

When you mix the classic Old Fashioned and juicy blackberries, you get a masterpiece: the Blackberry Old Fashioned at Driftless Glen Distillery & Restaurant in Baraboo. It’s Bourbon, Reneé Blackberry ginger balsamic, a muddled orange, blackberry, bitters and sweet and sour. Now, that’s for sure a sweet one to add to your taste-testing list.

Maple Old Fashioned

Have you had an Old Fashioned with bacon before? The Maple Old Fashioned combines Reneé maple balsamic, a muddled orange, a Bing cherry and walnut bitters. To make it even tastier, it’s garnished with Jones cherrywood smoked bacon. Doesn’t it sound delicious? It tastes even better.

Orange-Ya Glad Old Fashioned

Do you or your besties have a sweet tooth? This citrusy Old Fashioned has sweet notes of orange and is combined with exclusive bourbon de Naranja, Reneé black cherry balsamic, a muddled orange, a Bing cherry and orange bitters. Orange, you glad that you are going to try this hand-crafted cocktail?

To go along with the Blackberry, Maple or Orange-Ya Glad Old Fashioned, you can share roasted honey bourbon barbeque wings or smoked salmon dip and tuna poke cups and plenty of other tasty options with your crew.

Looking for more one-of-a-kind places for iconic food and drinks? Visit these 6 Hidden Gem Supper Clubs.