What does Fernet-Branca taste like?
Fernet-Branca tastes intensely bitter and minty, like menthol, licorice and dark herbs with very little sweetness, so a sip feels like a cold blast followed by a long bitter echo.
Fernet-Branca
bracing, minty, very bitter
Fernet-Branca is an Italian amaro (a bitter herbal liqueur) made in Milan from a secret blend of herbs, roots and spices. The first sip is cool menthol and licorice, then a deep, earthy bitterness that lasts and lasts. It's about 39% alcohol, so it's strong too. It has a cult following among bartenders and cooks, who drink it as an after-shift shot, often with a ginger beer chaser. San Francisco loves it so much it's practically the city drink, and in Argentina people mix it with Coke.
Where you’ll see it
As a shot, especially in San Francisco, often with a small ginger ale or ginger beer on the side. In Argentina it's mixed with cola. Bartenders use it in the Toronto and the Hanky Panky, and in dashes elsewhere.
Order it if you love bitter, minty, medicinal flavors, or you want to earn the bartender's respect.
Quick questions
- Is Fernet the same as Fernet-Branca?
- Fernet is a style of bitter herbal liqueur; Fernet-Branca is the famous brand. Other fernets exist, but on most menus 'fernet' means Branca.
- Why do bartenders drink Fernet?
- Partly tradition, partly taste. It's a bracing after-shift shot and a kind of industry handshake, especially in San Francisco.