Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet for a proper midwestern tailgate

Party like a midwesterner with this traditional Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet cocktail recipe.

With the official start of football season around the corner, it’s time to tailgate! In celebration, I’ve joined a group of bloggers from all over the country — all of whom are big football fans! — to bring you 64 tailgating recipe ideas for a terrific football party. You can find links to each of their recipes down at the bottom of this post, but first let's check out my contribution to the party: a classic midwestern Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet!

I'm a Milwaukee native and Handyman Tim hails from northern Minnesota. We have loved our new southern lifestyle in the Carolinas but every now and again it's nice to have a little taste of home. Football season definitely finds us each craving the snacks, treats, and cocktails we enjoyed during football games back in the midwest.

While we were making the rounds all throughout Wisconsin and Minnesota for our family road trip this August, we stopped to visit some college friends and have lunch at The Old Fashioned in Madison, Wisconsin. I had nearly forgotten all about Old Fashioned Sweets, a staple cocktail from my college days. It inspired me to recreate this recipe for our tailgating virtual party!

Is there anything better than a boozy cherry garnish on a cocktail?? I still remember my grandma and grandpa letting me eat their maraschino cherries all saturated in brandy when I was young. The fresh oranges and bright red cherries make this such a fun cocktail to serve.

While there are many variations on Old Fashioneds, my favorite is made with brandy and mixed with lemon lime soda and a splash of grenadine. The cocktail isn't too strong and is perfect for a hot football tailgate or for feeling warm and cozy if you're watching back at home.

It's not something you can really make in a big batch, but with such a short ingredient list, it is super easy to whip one up on demand for your guests. My recipe makes enough for 2 servings at a crack.

 

Now be sure to check out the other fantastic ideas for your next football tailgate here! Let me know which one is your favorite.

64 Tailgating Recipes from Blogging Friends:

Spicy Mexican Cheese Dip by 2 Cookin Mamas
Salsa Verde by A Dish of Daily Life
Slow Cooker Sausage Corn Dip by A Joyfully Mad Kitchen
Sausage, Peppers + Onions Pigs in a Blanket by A Little Gathering
Grilled Jalapeno Poppers by A Mind Full Mom
Beer & Brats Bake by A Simpler Grace
Black Bottom Maple Pecan Pie Bars by An Oregon Cottage
Crispy Baked Buffalo Wings by And She Cooks
Blackberry BBQ Sticky Wings by Around My Family Table
Cheesy Pull Apart Garlic Bread by Beer Girl Cooks
Black Bean & Corn Salsa by Body Rebooted
Roasted Garlic BBQ Chicken Wings Recipe by Bread Booze Bacon
Smoky Jalapeno Poppers by Brunch-n-Bites
Loaded Sweet Potato Nachos by Bucket List Tummy
Deconstructed Smoked Chicken Chile Relleno by Cafe Terra
Chicken Spinach & Artichoke Dip French Bread by Cake 'n Knife
Cuban Sandwich Quesadillas by Casa de Crews
Grilled Asparagus Spears by Celebrating Family
Sweet and Salty Blueberry Popcorn by Club Narwhal
Buffalo Chicken Poppers by Coffee Love Travel
Sea Bass Skewers + Blackbeard Cocktails by Culinary Adventures with Camilla
Buffalo Chicken Poppers by Dash of Herbs
Easy Chicken Roll Ups with Cream Cheese and Veggies by Family Food on the Table
Bottled Tailgate Cocktails by Feast + West
Smoked Brisket Texas Style by Foodal
Loaded Guacamole by foodbyjonister
Cincinnati Nachos by Foodtastic Mom
Cajun Red Beans and Andouille Sausage Stuffed Mushrooms by For the Love of Food
Grilled Shrimp Pizza by Glisten and Grace
Mini Bell Pepper Nachos by Hello Little Home
Slow Cooker Sweet Spicy Meatballs by Honey & Birch
BBQ Chicken Wontons by Lauren's Kitchen
Loaded Tailgate Tots by Life's Ambrosia
Ricotta & Fig Bites by Living Well Kitchen
Tailgate Tacos by Lizzy is Dizzy
Nashville Hot Chicken Wings by Loaves & Dishes
Cincinnati Chili Dip by Love & Flour
{Slow Cooker} BBQ Pulled Pork Sandwiches by Love Bakes Good Cakes
Tailgate Bloody Marys by Loves Food, Loves to Eat
Sweet Korean Chicken Wings by Macheesmo
Bacon Wrapped Tater Tots by Me and My Pink Mixer
Beer Sangria by Mixplorology
Crab Pretzels by Mom's Messy Miracles
Hot Bacon Dip by Nik Snacks
Build Your Own Bloody Mary Bar by Off the Eaten Path
Chowder Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers by Order in the Kitchen
Old Fashioned Sweet by Peanut Blossom
Baked Mac and Cheese Cups by Polka Dotted Blue Jay
Texas Toothpicks with Buttermilk Ranch by See Aimee Cook
Pretzel Turkey Meatballs (GF, DF, SF) by Shaws Simple Swaps
Hearty Vegetable Chili by Simple and Savory
Focaccia Pizza by Simplify, Live, Love
Sweet Potato Skins Stuffed with BBQ Ranch Pulled Pork by Sustaining the Powers
Bacon-Wrapped Cheeseburger Bites by The BakerMama
Buffalo Chicken Pasta Salad by The Creative Bite
German Potato Skins by The Crumby Cupcake
Old Bay Trail Mix by The Culinary Compass
Meat Lover's Pizza Bites by The Life Jolie
Raspberry Chipotle Black Bean Dip by The Mexitalian
Grilled Asian Chicken Wings & Shishito Peppers by The Secret Ingredient Is
Blackened Shrimp Tacos by The Speckled Palate
Honeydew Melon Refresher by Two Places at Once
Grilled Sauerkraut Stuffed Brats by West via Midwest
Sausage Apple and Sage Hand Pies by What A Girl Eats

Note: This post is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by the National Football League (NFL) or any of its teams. All opinions and views expressed on our blogs are our own, not that of the NFL and/or any of its 32 teams. Any team names, logos or other symbols referenced are properties of their respective organizations. We are just big fans — and we want to share our love for our teams, the game and the food that brings us all together on game day.