Fernet Branca Recipe

Fernet Branca (House-style bitter cordial)

1. 1

   Serve neat or on the rocks

   Chill the bottle of Fernet Branca (store in refrigerator or freezer for 30–60 minutes if you prefer very cold). Place 1 ounce (30 ml) to 1.5 ounces (45 ml) Fernet into a chilled shot glass for neat consumption, or pour 1.5 ounces (45 ml) over a small rocks glass filled with ice. If desired, add a small splash (about 15 ml) of water or 15 ml simple syrup to soften the bitterness. Garnish with an orange peel or a mint sprig and serve immediately.

2. 2

   Make a Fernet spritz (lighter serving)

   Fill a wine glass with ice. Pour 30 ml (1 oz) Fernet Branca and 60 ml (2 oz) chilled water or soda water (or 60 ml chilled chilled tonic/sparkling water) into the glass. Stir gently once to combine. Add 15 ml simple syrup if you want sweetness. Express an orange peel over the glass, rub it on the rim, and drop it in. Garnish with a mint sprig if using and serve.

3. 3

   Make an Americano-style short

   In a rocks glass filled with ice combine 30–45 ml Fernet Branca with 45–60 ml sweet vermouth (not included in ingredient list) and top with 30–60 ml soda water (optional). Stir briefly and garnish with orange peel. (Note: if you want to prepare a Fernet-based cocktail frequently, add sweet vermouth and soda water as separate ingredients to your shopping list.)

4. 4

   Storage: Keep bottle tightly sealed and stored upright in a cool dark place. Once opened, refrigerate to maintain flavor. Fernet is long-lived due to high alcohol content and herbal extracts.