Picture this: a friend comes to visit Madison for the first time and you want to give them a true taste of the city. That might mean a supper club or Friday night fish fry. Whatever you choose, you'll want to cap the night with a Wisconsin classic: the Old Fashioned.
Vote here for Madison's Best Old Fashioned
Where should you go for the best Old Fashioned in Madison? The Cap Times is here to help, as we kick off our fourth annual Madison Old Fashioned Week.
Set for a full week between Friday, Aug. 15 and Friday, Aug. 22, this citywide celebration to determine Madison's best Old Fashioned will feature local bars, supper clubs, distilleries and restaurants. Each will either showcase a drink from their menu or concoct a new recipe for you to try.
Northside Lounge took home the win in 2024 — the bar's first year entering this competition — with a classic Cherrywood Smoked Old Fashioned. But it's a brand new year with brand new drinks to try and a brand new (or could it be a repeat?) winner to crown.
Details about the participating locations and drinks can be found on this page. You can also find details in our Madison Old Fashioned Week guide inside the Aug. 13 and Aug. 20 print editions of the Cap Times.
Don't forget to vote! All week long as you’re sipping cocktails, visit this page to vote for the bar or restaurant that you think makes Madison’s best Old Fashioned. You can vote once a day. The winner, determined by your votes, will be announced on Sept. 3 in the online and print editions of the Cap Times.
Get ready to start sippin', and don't forget to vote!
Participating Locations
Blackberry Beauty from Bassett Street Brunch Club
Bassett Street Brunch Club | Blackberry Beauty: Maker’s Mark, blackberry purée, muddled blackberries and lemon, bitters and a splash of club soda. Address: 444 W. Johnson St., Madison.
The Bonfyre Old Fashioned from Bonfyre American Grille
Bonfyre American Grille | The Bonfyre Old Fashioned: Evan Williams Bourbon, muddled Bada Bing cherry and orange, Angostura bitters, sugar and Sprite. Address: 2601 W. Beltline Highway, Madison.
OF Bananza from Cordial
Cordial | OF Bananza: Rye whiskey and cognac blended with cascara-açaí syrup and orange bitters, topped with banana foam and a dusting of warm spices, and garnished with banana chip, orange, and Amarena cherry. Address: 516 S. Park St., Madison.
The Blackberry Revival from Craftsman Table & Tap
Craftsman Table & Tap | The Blackberry Revival: Michter's small batch bourbon, blackberries, simple syrup, angostura and orange bitters. Address: 6712 Frank Lloyd Wright Ave., Middleton.
Smoke Show from Everly
Everly | Smoke Show: Don Julio reposado tequila, Nostros Americana mezcal, ginger liqueur, pineapple and cherry. Address: 2702 Monroe St., Madison.
Greenbush Old Fashioned from Greenbush Bar
Greenbush Bar | Greenbush Old Fashioned: Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, Italian Lazzaroni Amaretto, Amaro Montenegro, Angostura bitters and orange peel. Address: 914 Regent St., Madison.
Smoked Chocolate Cherry Old Fashioned from Honey Barrel
Honey Barrel | Smoked Chocolate Cherry Old Fashioned: Made with Fabbri cherry syrup, Trader Vic’s Chocolate Liqueur, Cherry Bark Vanilla Bitters from Bittercube, 1792 Bourbon, and garnished with two Fabbri cherries, then smoked with cherry wood chips. Address: 160 Keenan Court St. #1, Verona.
"B-A-N-A-N-A" Bread Old Fashioned from Ivory Room Piano Bar
Ivory Room Piano Bar | "B-A-N-A-N-A" Bread Old Fashioned: Ole Smokey Tennessee banana whiskey, bourbon barrel-aged Wisconsin maple syrup, Aztec chocolate bitters, black walnut bitters, bananas and nutmeg. Address: 116 W. Mifflin St., Madison.
Badger Barrel Old Fashioned from Johnny Delmonico's Steakhouse
Johnny Delmonico's | Badger Barrel Old Fashioned: Maker's Mark Private Select, Grand Marnier, Luxardo cherry, Angostura bitters, rocks. Address: 130 S. Pinckney St., Madison.
The Rosemary from Jordan's Big 10 Pub
Jordan's Big 10 Pub | The Rosemary: Muddled grapefruit, angostura bitters, rosemary simple syrup and club soda. Address: 1330 Regent St. Madison.
Sherried Old Fashioned from Leopold's Books Bar Caffé
Leopold's Books Bar Caffé | Sherried Old Fashioned: Elijah Craig Small Batch Bourbon, Lustau Pedro Ximénez Sherry, Bittercube Cherry Bark Bitters, Angostura bitters, orange slice and one Luxardo Amarena cherry. Address: 1301 Regent St., Madison.
Dancing Pigs from Licari's Bar & Grill
Licari's Bar & Grill | Dancing Pigs: This sassy little number struts in with your choice of bold Whistle Pig PiggyBack Bourbon or smooth Drink Wisconsinbly Brandy, shaken up with Watkins bitters, a dollop of organic blackberry jam, and a splash of fresh lemon. It’s sweet, smoky, a little tart — and dangerously charming. Address: 1405 Emil St., Madison.
Hello Wisco from Lucille
Lucille | Hello Wisco: Peach-infused Beren's Brandy, Limousin Rye, honey and Sprite. Address: 101 King St., Madison.
The Peruvian Old Fashioned from Mishqui Peruvian Bistro is made with Pisco, a Peruvian brandy.
Mishqui Peruvian Bistro | Peruvian Old Fashioned: Barsol Pisco, muddled cherry and orange, simple syrup, Angostura bitters and soda. Address: 4604 Monona Drive and 225 King St. in Madison.
Spiced Pear Old Fashioned from Nitty Gritty
Nitty Gritty: Downtown Madison, Middleton, Sun Prairie | Spiced Pear Old Fashioned: St. George Spiced Pear Liqueur, brown sugar, Angostura bitters, irange, cherry and a cinnamon stick. Find location addresses here.
Cherrywood Smoked Old Fashioned from Northside Lounge
Northside Lounge | Cherrywood Smoked Old Fashioned: Limousin Rye from local Dancing Goat distillery, a touch of Grand Marnier, local honey simple syrup, a drizzle of Luxardo cherry syrup, and Peychaud's bitters, garnished with a Luxardo cherry and dried orange. The drink is finished with Cherrywood smoke and served on the rocks, ensuring a hint of smoke until the final drop. Address: 1022 N. Sherman Ave., Madison.
Baroque Banana from Palette Bar & Grill
Palette Bar & Grill | Baroque Banana (a Bananas Foster-inspired rum old fashioned): A dangerously smooth reimagining of Bananas Foster utilizing banana oleo saccharum-infused rum, coconut fat-washed chocolate liquor, and Lemon Hart & Sons 151. Address: 901 E. Washington Ave., Madison.
The TR Whiskey Cocktail from Tasting Room
Tasting Room | The TR Whiskey Cocktail: Private Label Elijah Craig 10-Year Single Barrel Bourbon, local maple syrup, housemade "Cigar Box Bitters," Lapsang tea, garnished with an orange peel and Luxardo cherry. Address: 800 W Broadway #100, Monona.
Red's Old Fashioned from The Coopers Tavern
The Coopers Tavern | Red's Old Fashioned: Red Locks Irish whiskey, Amaro Dell'Etna, cherries muddled in demerara syrup, Bittercube orange bitters and Peychaud's bitters, topped with soda and garnished with an orange peel. Address: 20 W. Mifflin St., Madison.
Barrel Aged Old Fashioned from The Free House Pub
The Free House Pub | Barrel Aged Old Fashioned: Free House Barrel Pick Sazerac Rye, bitters, muddled oranges and Traverse City cherries, steeped in a barrel for 3 days. Strained and served up with an orange swath and Traverse City cherry garnish. Address: 1902 Parmenter St., Middleton.
Vote for your favorite old fashioned!
If you are with a bar, distillery or restaurant and would like to participate, or you would like more information on how to sponsor this event, email Carrie Planert at cplanert@madison.com.