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What’s Fernet Branca? This bitter Italian amaro is popular as a shot and in drinks. Here’s more about it and how to use it in cocktails!
Here’s a liqueur that’s so intensely bitter, it’s a wonder that it’s got a worldwide cult following. Meet Fernet Branca! This Italian amaro tastes like bitter black licorice, intensely herbal and spicy. But it’s got a long history and has become incredibly popular in recent years. What exactly is it, and is it worth buying? Here’s what you need to know about Fernet.
What is Fernet Branca?
Fernet is an Italian bitter or amaro, a liqueur made with a mix of herbs and spices. It is known for its intensely bitter flavor and its cult-like following, especially in Argentina. Fernet has a higher alcohol content than most bitters: it’s 40 to 45% alcohol. You can use a splash in cocktails or coffee, stir it into a cola (as the Argentinians do), or even drink it straight (as San Francisco bartenders do).
Fernet-Branca is a brand of Fernet invented in Milan, Italy in 1845. The Fratelli Branca company started exporting to Argentina in 1907 where it became massively popular. The liqueur caught on in the US around Prohibition because it was sold in pharmacies as a medicine! Fernet is made with 27 herbs and spices from a secret recipe, but it may include rhubarb, chocolate, aloe and quinine.
What does Fernet Branca taste like?
Fernet has an aggressive flavor, almost like bitter black licorice. It’s herbaceous and intensely bitter, with a subtly sweet finish.
How much alcohol is in Fernet Branca? It is 40 to 45% ABV (alcohol by volume), which is about double the typical alcohol content of a liqueur. It’s essentially the same ABV as spirits like whiskey, rum, vodka and gin.
Why we like it
Fernet Branca is a bit of an acquired taste, but it adds an immense amount of intriguing, herbaceous flavor to cocktails. Fernet is great when used like Angostura bitters. We like it best in the Fernet Sour, but it’s best known for its use in the Toronto.
How much does it cost?
Compared to other liquors, Fernet-Branca is mid-priced. Quality and pricing varies, from about $18 to 20 for a 375 ml bottle and $30 for a 750 ml bottle.
What are the best brands? Avoid the brand DeKuyper. Consider Lazzaroni amaretto, which is a nice mid-priced option. Amore brand is classic and works as a lower-priced option.
Most popular Fernet cocktails
You can drink Fernet Branca straight up, mix it in cola (also known as Fernet con coca in Spanish) or mix it into cocktails. Here are the most popular cocktails with this liqueur!
Fernet Sour
The Fernet Sour is a modern classic cocktail using Fernet-Branca! Also known as the Industry Sour, it pairs the Italian amaro with funky green Chartreuse and lime juice. It's sweet, sour, bitter and refreshing all at once.
Toronto
The most classic Fernet Branca cocktail? The Toronto! Invented in the 1920's, it's a fancy spin on the Old Fashioned featuring whiskey and Fernet-Branca.
Hanky Panky
Another classic Fernet Branca cocktail? The Hanky Panky. This cocktail was invented by a famous woman bartender in the 1920’s named Ada Coleman. It's like a gin martini, balanced between sweet, bitter and herbal flavors.
Fernet Sour
This Fernet cocktail is sweet, tart, bitter and herbal all at once! It stars Fernet Branca, green Chartreuse liqueur, and lime juice.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 5 minutes
- Yield: 1 drink 1x
- Category: Drink
- Method: Shaken
- Cuisine: Cocktails
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
- 1 ounce* Fernet-Branca
- 1 ounce Green Chartreuse
- 1 ounce lime juice
- 1 ounce simple syrup
Instructions
- Place all ingredients in a cocktail shaker and add a handful of ice. Shake until cold.
- Strain into a cocktail glass. If desired, garnish with a lime wheel.
Notes
*To convert to tablespoons, 1 ounce = 2 tablespoons
More cocktail guides
Need more liquor guides? We’ve got them! Here’s all you need to know about home bartending:
- Absinthe Guide This formerly banned liquor is now in good graces.
- Aperol Guide and Campari Guide All you need to know about these Italian liqueurs.
- Baileys Guide All the ins and outs of Irish Cream.
- Chartreuse Guide This pale green liqueur is worth adding to your collection…here’s why.
- Cointreau Guide, Blue Curacao Guide, or Orange Liqueur Guide Citrus liqueurs…broken down.
- Galliano Guide Is this bright yellow liqueur worth buying?
- Grenadine Guide It’s mistaken as cherry, but this bright syrup has a secret.
- Kahlua Guide Learn about this popular Mexican coffee liqueur
