Fernet Branca is a bitter liquor that adds complex flavors to any cocktail. The recipe for this unique liquor is under strict lock and key. However, some of the most noted flavors include chamomile, cinnamon, rhubarb, aloe, galingale, myrrh, and saffron. The robust flavor notes in Fernet Branca are sweet, bitter, herbal, and floral and pair so well in these Fernet Branca cocktails. With just a slash of this unique bitter liquor, you can create high-end bar-inspired cocktails without leaving home! Check out these Fernet Branca cocktails below to unleash your inner old-world bartender.
1. Toronto Cocktail
The tornado cocktail is an excellent place to start if you’ve never tried Fernet Branca. It allows the Fernet Branca to shine while offering subtle sweetness and bold flavors. The tornado cocktail is an intriguing twist on an old-fashioned. Old-fashioneds celebrate the flavor of rye bourbon. But the tornado cocktail marries rye flavors with Fernet Branca for a herbal, floral lift of flavors. For sweetness, it ditches that plain sugar cube with a dash of maple syrup that plays so well with the bitter, herbal notes. If old-fashioneds are your cocktail of choice, you’ll love the richness of this tornado cocktail.
2. Old Timber
Is it sweater weather yet? Old timber tastes like autumn in a glass. It hosts bold orange, cinnamon, buttery rye whiskey, and intense herbaceous notes. This cocktail is alcohol-forward, making it a great slow-sipping cocktail. It’s the perfect cocktail recipe to bust out when the temperatures start to plummet. For even more intense flavors and flair, garnish it with an orange twirl.
3. Fernet Sour
If you love sour cocktails, this Fernet sour is worth checking out! It’s a serious cocktail when you want to impress your guests. There’s so much nuance inside this simple cocktail; it only requires a few ingredients. It pairs Fernet Branca with Green Chartreuse, simple syrup for sweetness, and lime juice. The boldness and complexity of this cocktail will have your guests buzzing. It’s a truly unique cocktail that is sweet, sour, herbaceous, and savory in one glass.
4. Hanky Panky
Rumor has it that the hanky panky cocktail got its name when a bar patron tried it and shouted, ‘That is the real hanky panky!’ It may or may not be accurate, but I prefer to believe it’s true! The hanky-panky cocktail is a twist on the tornado cocktail. It has similar flavors, but it infuses gin instead of whiskey. It’s a great cocktail if you prefer lighter liquor over dark. Since gin is a little lighter than rye whiskey, this cocktail goes down a little easier than the tornado. It’s lighter but offers a balanced blend of savory, bitter, and herbal notes. The bold flavors in this cocktail make the perfect nightcap or a strong cocktail to sip all evening.
5. Fernet Branca Sprtiz
Are you looking for something a little lighter? Many Fernet Branca cocktails are a little heavy, and most are seriously alcohol-forward. This Fernet-Branca spritz is worth checking out if you want something light and bright with herbal notes. It infuses Fernet Branca and orange juice for a bright acidic kick. Finish your cocktail with a splash of sweet prosecco to keep it light and fizzy (without skimping on the booze). The prosecco adds a sweet, fizzy kick that pairs so perfectly with the dark, herbal flavors of Fernet-Branca.
6. Fernet Manhattan
If you’re a big fan of Manhattans, this Fernet Manhattan is worth a try! I t incorporates everything you love about Manhattans but adds a Fernet Branca herbal twist. Pair buttery bourbon and sweet vermouth with a splash of Fernet Branca and cherry bitters to make this cocktail sing. It tastes exactly like a Manhattan with subtle floral and herbal notes from Fernet Branca that take this classic cocktail to new heights!
7. Fernet Festivus
It’s a Fernet Festivus for the rest of us! The Fernet Festivus is a festive holiday twist on the classic Fernet-Branca tornado cocktail. Seriously, it tastes like Christmas in a glass. The clever use of homemade simple syrup makes this vibrant cocktail stand out. It infuses all the classics of a tornado cocktail (like Fernet-Branca and rye) but swaps maple syrup with gingerbread simple syrup. Making your gingerbread simple syrup is easy. It pairs bright holiday flavors like ginger, allspice molasses, cinnamon, and black peppercorns. It requires a little extra time in the kitchen cooking up the simple syrup, but it’s worth it!
8. Fernet Sazerac
The traditional Sazerac cocktail hails from New Orleans. But this Fernet Sazerac earns a Middle Eastern twist with unlikely ingredients. This cocktail is so unique. It infuses ginger liqueur, honey rose simple syrup, cardamom bitters, and Peychauds bitters (which taste fruity and tart). It boasts seriously complex and deep flavors that all play on one another. It’s deep and herbal with sweet, fruity undertones from honey rose simple syrup and Peychaud’s bitters. The ingredient list is long (and might require a trip to the liquor store), but it’s worth the extra effort!
9. Decolletage
Where are all my tequila fans? The decolletage is another classic winter cocktail that doesn’t incorporate dark liquor like rye. Instead, it uses rich, fruity, floral, and bitter tequila and goes down incredibly easily. It’s rich and herbal with punchy notes from Dubonnet Rouge, Aperol, and Fernet Branca with a base of tequila. The flavors in this cocktail are fighting for attention, and everyone wins! It’s bright and herbal with a subtle menthol kick that will warm you up after a long, cold day.
10. Fanciulli Cocktail
The Fanciulli cocktail first appeared in the cookbook, Old Waldorf Bar Days, in 1931. At a glance, it’s very similar to the classic Manhattan cocktail with a very subtle twist. This cocktail pairs bold rye or bourbon with sweet vermouth and Fernet Branca. It boasts bold flavors with a subtle herbal and menthol twist from Fernet Branca. If Manhattans are your cocktail of choice but you want to switch things up a little, the Fanciulli cocktail is an excellent choice. Click on a star to rate it!
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