This cocktail uses lightly sweet Brandy as the base (a long-time custom in the state of Wisconsin), instead of the traditional Bourbon, in a batch-style recipe that’s an ideal make-ahead to serve a group. Depending on your guests’ preference of sweetness, finish it with a splash of bittersweet Italian lemon soda or an unsweetened grapefruit seltzer — both give a little hint of fizz! Pair with Spicy ’Nduja Palmiers for cocktail hour with friends on the back deck.
2 cups (500 mL) brandy
1½ oz simple syrup
¾ oz pure cherry juice
½ oz cocktail bitters (such as Angostura)
1 355 mL can Limonata or grapefruit seltzer
12 orange zests, to garnish
12 maraschino cherries, to garnish
1. In a large measuring cup, stir together the brandy, simple syrup, cherry juice and bitters until combined. Transfer to a lidded jar or bottle and refrigerate for up to 48 hours, until ready to serve.
2. When ready to serve, add 1 ½ oz of the prepared brandy mixture to each Old Fashioned glass filled with ice cubes, or a single large cube or sphere of ice. Top each glass with 1 ounce of soda or seltzer. Garnish with orange zest and maraschino cherry.
Makes 12 cocktails