Drunkin’ Weenies and A Brandy Slush

Drunkin’ Weenies are basically little weenies that are drunk. (I’ve personally known a few drunkin’ weenies!) All kidding aside, drunkin’ weenies are lil’ cocktail weenies simmered in a sauce made up of barbecue sauce and brandy. A lot of brandy I might add. Here in Wisconsin, we love our Brandy Old Fashions. Somewhere along the line, some brandy was added to the lil’ weenie sauce. Oh, what a shame!

drunkin' weenies

Brandy Slush and Brandy Old-Fashioned

If you are from Wisconsin, you are familiar with a Brandy Old-Fashion. You are probably familiar with a few drunkin’ weenies too. There are a handful of cocktails that to me scream my youth; Brandy Old Fashions, Brandy Slush, Harvey Wallbanger, Black Russian, Alabama Slammer, Pink Squirrel and Sloe Screw. I have drank my fair share of all of the above and then some. Today’s recipes use Brandy, a Wisconsin favorite.

Here in Wisconsin

Here in Wisconsin we love a good ol’ Brandy Old-Fashioned. It’s a drink that our Grandparents drank and our parents drink. It will most likely be your first drink, when you become of legal drinking age. A Brandy Old-Fashioned will be the first drink your grand-parents or parents order for you at their favorite supper club. It’s a tradition here in Wisconsin, your rite of passage into adulthood. Brandy Old-Fashioned was the first alcoholic drink I ever drank.

On my 18th Birthday

On my 18th birthday, my family took me out to dinner at Jacks or Better. A very popular Supper Club back in the day. It was located in the small city of Little Chute WI., the city my Grandma Rose hailed from. My Grandma Rose ordered my first Brandy Old Fashioned Sweet. It came in a ‘bucket’ style glass, with a rock candy stir stick, a slice of orange and a cherry. It was delicious and strong! My Grandma also ordered my first appetizer that same evening.

Shrimp Cocktail

Grandma Rose ordered me my first ‘Shrimp Cocktail.’ It came in a huge cocktail glass, that was served right at the bar. It was served ice cold, a sauce was poured in the middle of the glass and the large shrimp hung over the side. That night my Grandma Rose also taught me the fine art of  ‘Bellying-up to the Bar.’ I practice I was actually quite good at, at one time. After dinner I had my first ‘after dinner drink’ which was a Black Russian.

Downtown Appleton

My family and I then headed to downtown Appleton WI.,  to a little tavern called ‘Jim’s Place.’ Jim’s Place was owned and operated by Jim and Carmen Mullins. My older sister Barb was married to their son Jeff. I proceeded to have one of their ‘House Specialty’ drinks, a Harvey Wallbanger
made with the owners ‘secret ingredient.’ Harvey Wallbanger is the perfect name for this very tasty drink….because it packs a punch!

After a Few

I really don’t remember much after my 2rd or 3rd Harvey Wallbanger but I do remember my Grandma Rose yelling to the bartender, “Bartender, buy the bar another round!” “I’m going to drink all you fella’s under the table!” I could barely hear the jukebox playing, “Keep it Coming Love” above all the cheers, clapping and shouts of ‘hell yes’ coming from the tavern customers. That night my Grandma taught me another important lesson…

A Lesson

That night my Grandma Rose taught me an important lesson, a lesson I used many times after that evening. My Grandma Rose taught me that a Lady always leaves with her head held high, with a smile on her face and most importantly with her dignity…no matter how drunk she is:) In the morning, you might groan when you think of the antics from the night before but at least you can say you walked out on your own two feet! (Barely)

 Some Downtown History

“Jim’s Place” was either at the beginning or at the end of the famous “Death March” This depended on where you started the “Death March” The “Death March” was a march you did on your 18th Birthday…this was during the time when the legal drinking age was 18 in WI. The lucky or not so luck birthday boy or girl marched up one side of College Ave then crossed the street and proceeded to march down the other side of the street.

Birthday Walk from Hell

The lucky or not so lucky birthday boy or girl went into every tavern located on College Ave and had a “shot” or “drink” at each establishment. At that time, there were many, many taverns located in downtown Appleton. Plus the fact that College Ave is at least 20 blocks long, this was definitely a feat. We are talking about a drink or shot at each place. The beverages were usually on the ‘house’ for the lucky or unlucky birthday boy or girl.

Another Tradition

With the change in the way people consume alcohol and changes in drinking laws, this rite of passage into adulthood is no longer in practice:) Another tradition that we partake in, here in Wisconsin, occurs during the holiday season. A favorite holiday drink is often consumed and the name of that alcoholic drink is called a Tom and Jerry. Read all about it here~Tom and Jerry Holiday Drink

Drunkin’ Weenies

Ingredients

  • 1 bottle
    barbecue sauce, your favorite
  • 1/2 cup
    ketchup
  • 1/4 cup
    brown sugar
  • 1/4 cup
    molasses
  • 2 tablespoons
    liquid smoke
  • 2 tablespoons
    hot sauce
  • 1 cup
    brandy
  • 2 (14 oz each) packages
    little weenies or little smokies

Cooking Directions

  1. In a large crock pot mix together; barbecue sauce, ketchup, brown sugar, molasses, liquid smoke, hot sauce and brandy.
  2. Add little weenies or smokies.
  3. Cook on high 3 to 4 hours.
  4. Turn to low to keep warm.

 

(Apricot) Brandy Slush

Ingredients

  • 4
    tea bags
  • 11 cups
    water
  • 1 (12 oz) can
    frozen lemonade concentrate, thawed
  • 1 (12 oz) can
    frozen limeade concentrate, thawed
  • 1 (12 oz) can
    frozen orange juice concentrate, thawed
  • 2 cups
    apricot brandy
  • lemon-lime
    soda

Cooking Directions

  1. Place tea bags in a small bowl. Bring 2 cups water to a boil, pour over tea bags, let seep for 5 to 8 minutes, discard tea bags.
  2. In a large bowl mix; lemonade, limeade and orange juice concentrate with water. Add apricot brandy and mix together, add tea, stir.
  3. Pour mixture into an empty and clean 5 quart ice cream pail, freeze.
  4. When ready to serve: Fill a tall glass 3/4 full with slush mixture (Scoop slush out with an ice cream scoop) Add lemon-lime soda or 50/50 to slush in the glass, stir and serve.

Have a few friends over for the holidays? Why not serve another classic, Holiday Wassail in Crock Pot


Brandy Old Fashioned (per drink)

Ingredients

  • 1
    sugar cube
  • 2 to 3 dashes
    bitters
  • 2
    maraschino cherries
  • 1 thin slice
    orange
  • 2 ounces
    brandy
  • seven up
    soda pop
  • Garnish:
    orange slice, maraschino cherry, rock candy stir stick

Cooking Directions

  1. In an old-fashioned glass, add one sugar cube, add 2-3 dashes of bitters. Let sugar soak in the bitters for a few minutes. Add 2 maraschino cherries and one thin slice of orange, muddle together. Add ice cubes, 2 oz Brandy and 7-up. Stir.
  2. Garnish with an orange slice, maraschino cherry and rock candy stir stick.
drunkin' weenies

Still thirsty?? How about knockin’ this back! Glogg

To find out more about the Brandy Old-Fashioned. Another Wisconsin tradition, is the Wisconsin Friday Night Fish Fry. A Brandy Old-Fashioned and a Friday Night Fish Fry……The two just go together.