Fernet Branca is considered to be a cultural icon for Argentina and is rumored to be one of the favorite drinks of Lionel Messi. It has a high alcohol content ranging from 39% to 45% ABV and is usually used as a digestif or sometimes as an aperitif mixed with soda. People who find this too strong consume it with mixers like Coca-Cola, cocktails, etc.
If you are an alcohol enthusiast like us, you are in for a fun read. Fernet Branca is known as one of the favorite drinks of bartenders to serve. That’s not all, many bartenders themselves order it when they visit a bar to show solidarity within the community. They even have a name for this, ‘The Bartender’s Handshake.’ Sounds cool doesn’t it? But we are getting ahead of ourselves. Let’s start from the beginning.
History Of Fernet Branca
It’s time to go back to the mid-19th century when Italy was fighting a cholera outbreak and doctors were unable to find a cure. That is when Bernardino Branca, a self-taught herbalist from Milan, decided to take it on himself and created Fernet Branca. It turned out to be a successful experiment as the results that came out were positive. Branca shared the recipe with hospitals who used it to cure the patients. Oh god! We needed someone like him during Covid. Just think about it, a brand new liquor that could’ve cured us of Covid and left us with a nice buzz.
So where were we? Oh yes. In the latter part of the 19th century, the world saw a mass migration from Italy to Argentina. The migrants took Fernet Branca as a digestive in small bottles but it later was used for recreational purposes. Smart. Today, Argentina is the largest consumer of Fernet Branca and has the only distillery of Fernet outside of Italy.
How Is Fernet Branca Made?
The production method of this drink has been kept a family secret and has been passed on from generation to generation. Now the recipe rests in the hands of Niccolo Branca, who is now the CEO of the Fratelli Branca. The drink is a combination of 27 herbs and other ingredients. These come from various parts of the world and give Fernet Branca its unique taste.
Chinese rhubarb, cinnamon, iris, saffron, and myrrh are a few of the many herbs used. You won’t find their exact quantities anywhere. It takes almost a year to complete the entire production process. The company prides itself on keeping the bar high in terms of attention to detail and quality of the product for over 150 years. You can truly taste this quality in every sip.
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Health Benefits Of Fernet Branca
Its abundant herbs give this booze certain medicinal properties. In earlier times, this drink was used by people as a cure for issues like worms, menstrual pain, and fever. It’s also known to help with hangovers and can keep your stomach nice and healthy after a heavy meal.
Ingredients like myrrh, gentian root, and quassia wood used in the making of this drink help with muscle pain, cramps, and stiffness. This drink even has saffron, which is known to improve the blood flow in the body. Maybe drinking this is better than exercising. Maybe. We are kidding guys, don’t skip your workouts!
Cultural Significance
Argentinians are big fans of Fernet because of its smart tie-up with Coca-Cola in the 80’s. This combination of Coca-Cola and Fernet Branca is an awesome cocktail, Fernet con coca. Drinking it has almost become a ritual before and during every football game in this country.
Another footballing nation, Germany, has also got a huge fan base base for this drink. This is commendable because this country is in love with beer and Jagermister, yet it still made space in its heart for Fernet. Germans mix it with Red Bull to get the kick.
The USA wasn’t immune to this phenomenon either. In the 90’s, a small group of bartenders began using this drink in the city of San Francisco which slowly caught everyone’s attention. Now, it’s one of the most consumed alcohols in San Francisco.
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Summing Up
Who would’ve wondered that a drink made from herbs would leave such an impact on the alcohol industry. What began as a small-scale attempt at making a medicine went on to become a savior during tough times in the city of Milan and finally ended up as an unofficial alcoholic beverage of Argentina. Branca International has been serving for over 170 years now. It still remains one of the best things Italy has given to the world along with amazing art and pizza!
FAQs
What Are Some Fun Facts About Fernet?
Few of the fun facts about Fernet are:
- It is believed that Fernet-Branca uses almost 75% of the world’s saffron every year.
- This drink is aged in oak barrels for over a year before releasing it in the market.
- The original reason this drink was created was to cure cholera!
What Does Fernet-Branca Go Well With?
Fernet Branca usually goes well with cocktails due to its strong and unique flavor.
Which Country Drinks The Most Fernet?
The country that drinks the most Fernet is Argentina. They consume over 75% of global production every year.
What Is The Purpose Of Fernet?
Fernet is usually used as a digestif and is consumed after dinner. It can be neat or on the rocks.
What Type Of Liquor Is Fernet?
Fernet is a type of amaro or Italian bitter, a liqueur that is made by mixing herbs and spices.
Does Fernet Prevent Hangovers?
Fernet is known for its medicinal qualities. It is known for curing hangovers. Some other qualities include soothing indigestion and fatigue.
How Much Alcohol Is In Fernet?
The alcohol content in Fernet is quite high. It ranges between 39% to 45% ABV.
Where Is Fernet Made?
Fernet Branca is made in Fratelli Branca’s distillerie based in Milan, Italy. It also has a production plant in Argentina which is the only one outside Italy.
