Supper Clubs and Old Fashioneds: A Wisconsin Tradition
The supper club is a Wisconsin tradition, filled with great food, classic drinks and plenty of nostalgia. Wisconsin Supper Clubs says it best: Each one is unique, and yet you know what to expect when you visit. There are so many things we love about supper clubs—from Friday fish frys and Saturday prime rib to kiddie cocktails and ice cream dessert drinks. There’s something for everyone, all wrapped up in a warm, homey atmosphere.
But many Wisconsinites might argue that you haven’t really had the full supper club experience until you’ve ordered the drink that represents Wisconsin uniqueness as much as supper clubs do: The old fashioned.
And we’re not talking about any regular old fashioned.
In any other state, if you order an old fashioned at a bar, you’ll likely receive a drink with bourbon or whiskey, simple syrup, and bitters.
The Wisconsin old fashioned is something uniquely different. The classic Wisconsin recipe is made with brandy—although some folks still prefer whiskey—muddled fruits, sugar, and bitters. It’s a taste so many Wisconsinites have come to love.
Brandy or whiskey is only the beginning of a proper old fashioned. Next you have to decide if you like your drink sweet (with 7Up or Sprite), sour (with Squirt or sour mix), or “press” (half lemon-lime soda and half seltzer water or club soda). Do you like your fruit muddled at the bottom, or do you prefer an all-in one mix like Shifty’s Old Fashioned Mix? Finally it’s time to choose your garnish. Will it be cherries or mushrooms?
You better believe any bartender working shifts at a supper club came ready to make countless old fashioneds during every dinner service. It’s just one of those glorious parts of the supper club culture.
Our favorite part of supper club culture is the tradition of coming together while enjoying delicious beverages. While you’re sitting at the bar waiting for a table, grab an old fashioned and catch up! By the time your table’s ready, everybody knows where to sit, because you’ve got conversations to continue.
And what kind of Wisconsin-based spirit brand would we be if we didn’t have our own take on the beloved old fashioned? Want to try a Northern Oasis Old Fashioned (hint: you do!) Of course, we’re partial to whiskey old fashioneds, and encourage everyone to try a whiskey old fashioned with one of our whiskies—Shorewood Whiskey or Lone Duck Cinnamon Whiskey. After all, they’re made in Wisconsin from upper Midwestern ingredients, so they’re a perfect fit for Wisconsin traditions.
In fact, if you’re thinking of heading to a supper club over the weekend for a classic meal with good company, here’s a list of supper clubs where you can find Northern Oasis Spirits:
Sky Club Supper Club (Plover)
Moxie’s Supper Club (Casco)
Skyview Lodge & Supper Club (Presque Isle)
Branding Iron Supper Club (Wisconsin Rapids, and our main photo by Patrick Hellner)
If your favorite supper club doesn’t carry Northern Oasis Spirits, ask them to! Just like meeting friends for dinner, the more the merrier! If you don’t want to wait for your Friday Fish Fry, you can also find Northern Oasis Spirits in multiple retail locations. And if you’d like to try your hand at mixing your own old fashioned, we’ve got you covered there, too!