Fernet-Branca 1 L 39%

Fernet Branca is the bittersweet herbal liqueur of the Fratelli Branca distillery in Milan, made to a closely guarded original recipe since the nineteenth century. It is built on a secret blend of numerous herbs, spices and plant extracts gathered from different regions of the world, macerated and then matured to draw out its depth, and bottled here at 39% in a full litre. It ranks among the best known and most characterful bitter spirits anywhere.

The nose is herbal and spiced with mint and a slight bitterness, the palate intensely bitter with herbs, spices, menthol and only a light sweetness, the finish long, bitter and spicy. That bracing bitterness is exactly its value behind the bar, cutting sweetness and adding a herbal backbone and length to a drink. The classic serve is as a digestif, well chilled or on ice so the herbal depth opens up, while bartenders reach for it in long serves with cola or tonic and in spirit forward stirred drinks. A back bar staple wherever bitterness is wanted.