Popular among drinks-industry workers that it’s often called the “Bartender’s Handshake”
Produced by an herbalist named, Bernardino Branca – Fernet-Branca is one of Italy’s most storied and celebrated spirits. This unique digestif was invented in Milan in 1845, and was originally intended as a medicinal tonic.
Fernet-Branca is the best-known brand of the fernet category of amari, or bitter herbal liqueurs. It’s made with 27 herbs, roots and spices. Its trademark bitterness comes from four of its ingredients of rhubarb, aloe vera, cinchona, and chocolate. The recipe is a closely guarded secret, and spends at least 12 months aging in Croatian oak barrels.
The complexity of flavors in Fernet Branca makes it quite versatile and a great ingredient in cocktails and other mixed drinks. It’s also known for helping aid in your digestion and other health benefits. It also has a comparably high alcohol content of up to 45%.
Fernet Branca has a distinct bitter and mentholated taste. The first sip is strong and very minty with a hint of mint tea, chamomile, and roots. The overall flavor is intensely herbaceous and bitter, with only a slight sweetness.
Today, it is the most successful representative of the Fernet category of amari. Bartenders themselves love its bitter and herbal taste and commonly enjoy a shot of Fernet Branca when meeting other bartenders – a tradition also known as the “bartender’s handshake”.
It’s best served chilled or on the rocks to mute the intense bitter notes, which improves the overall balance of the amaro. Most commonly it’s served in small liqueur glasses.
Recently Food Network star Guy Fieri revealed that Fernet-Branca is his drink of choice.