The Perfect Wisconsin Old Fashioned: Ripsaw Saloon’s Signature Twist

The Old Fashioned: A Wisconsin Tradition

In Wisconsin, the Old Fashioned isn’t just a drink. It’s a cultural institution. Every bar has their take, and at Ripsaw Saloon in Prentice, we’ve crafted ours with the kind of care that comes from understanding why this drink matters to people. Our version uses muddled orange and cherry, a dash of Angostura bitters, and premium brandy. The way Wisconsinites have always done it.

What Makes Our Old Fashioned Different

The secret is in the muddle. We don’t just drop in the fruit , we press it, releasing the oils from the orange peel and the sweetness from the cherry. Combined with a sugar cube that dissolves slowly as you sip, every glass evolves from first taste to last. Add our selection of brandy or bourbon, and you’ve got a drink that earns every sip.

Pairs Perfectly With Our Beef Tallow Wings

There’s a reason the Old Fashioned is the ultimate bar drink , it stands up to bold flavors. Our beef tallow fried wings, crispy and rich with traditional flavor, are the ideal companion. The sweetness of the cocktail cuts through the richness of the tallow, creating a balance that keeps you coming back.

Visit Ripsaw Saloon in Prentice, WI

Next time you’re in Price County, stop by Ripsaw Saloon. Whether it’s your first Old Fashioned or your thousandth, we make it the way it’s meant to be made , with pride, tradition, and a Wisconsin handshake.

See also: why we fry in beef tallow, Wisconsin Old Fashioned near you, summer cocktails on our patio, The Bloody Mary at Ripsaw Saloon and The Real Wisconsin Fish Fry

Plan your visit to Prentice with Price County Fun — trails, fishing, and more.

Last updated: May 2026

By Ripsaw Saloon Staff | Prentice, Wisconsin

How much does an Old Fashioned cost at Ripsaw Saloon?

A rail Old Fashioned at Ripsaw Saloon costs $4.50 and is made with Korbel brandy, Angostura bitters, orange peel, and a Luxardo cherry.

Why does Ripsaw Saloon fry in beef tallow instead of vegetable oil?

Ripsaw Saloon fries in beef tallow because it produces a crispier, better-tasting fish fry with a higher smoke point. The tallow comes from local Wisconsin beef processors.

What are Ripsaw Saloon’s hours in Prentice, Wisconsin?

Ripsaw Saloon is open Monday, Thursday through Sunday from 2 PM until close, at 1117 Railroad Ave, Prentice, WI 54556.

Where is Ripsaw Saloon located?

Ripsaw Saloon is at 1117 Railroad Ave, Prentice, WI 54556, on US Highway 8 between Prentice and Phillips.

Does Ripsaw Saloon serve a Friday fish fry?

Yes, Ripsaw Saloon serves a beef tallow fish fry every Friday, the best in Price County according to local regulars.

Frequently Asked Questions

What makes Ripsaw Saloon’s old fashioned different?

Ripsaw Saloon makes their old fashioned the traditional Wisconsin way, muddled orange, cherry, and bitters with brandy, topped with your choice of sweet (7-Up), sour (Squirt), or press (half club soda, half sour mix). The signature twist is consistency and value: $4.50 for a rail pour and $7.50 for a double as of May 2026, muddled fresh every time rather than batch-mixed.

How do you order an old fashioned in Wisconsin?

In Wisconsin, you order by spirit and mixer: ‘brandy sweet’ is the default and most popular. Specify ‘whiskey sour,’ ‘vodka press,’ or any combination. If you just say ‘old fashioned’ at a Wisconsin bar, you’ll get brandy sweet, that’s the standard. At Ripsaw Saloon, the rail is $4.50 and the double is $7.50.

What’s the difference between a Wisconsin old fashioned and a classic old fashioned?

A Wisconsin old fashioned uses muddled fruit

A Wisconsin old fashioned uses muddled fruit (orange slice and maraschino cherry), is served with a soda mixer (7-Up, Squirt, or club soda), and defaults to brandy. A classic old fashionable uses whiskey, a sugar cube, Angostura bitters, and an expressed orange peel, no soda, no muddled fruit, no cherries blended in. They’re completely different drinks that share a name and a glass.

Why does Wisconsin use brandy in old fashioneds?

Wisconsin’s brandy tradition traces to post-Prohibition when Korbel brandy from California became widely distributed in the state at affordable prices. Wisconsin now consumes over half of all brandy sold in the United States, and the brandy old fashioned became the default cocktail order. You can still order with whiskey, but brandy is what most Wisconsinites reach for.

What does ‘press’ mean when ordering an old fashioned?

Press means half 7-Up and half club

Press means half 7-Up and half club soda, it’s the least sweet option and the closest Wisconsin old fashioned to the traditional version. Sweet (full 7-Up) and sour (Squirt or grapefruit soda) are the other options. At Ripsaw Saloon, a brandy press at $4.50 gives you the balanced version where you can actually taste the brandy and bitters without sugar overload.

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