Explore this list of 21 tasty Fernet Branca cocktails, all of which can make you a believer! Wildly misunderstood for its intense bitterness, Fernet Branca is full of complex and intriguing flavors.

Fernet Branca is a liqueur made with a mix of herbs and spices.

It’s an Italian type of amaro, a class of herbal alcohol known for bitter-tasting notes.

Fernet Branca can be a bit of a wild card among liquors.

Enthusiasts describe it as having a bold taste profile characterized by an herbaceous bitterness.

Despite its aggressive flavor, Fernet Branca has found a home in Argentina, which is the world’s top consumer of Fernet Branca.

Fernet Branca has amassed a cult following among bartenders in the United States, earning it the nickname “Bartender’s Handshake.”

Aside from being a bartender post-shift drink, the liqueur has claimed a stake in bar menus in beverages such as the Hanky Panky and the Toronto.

The so-called aggressive taste of Fernet Branca ended up being the pull factor that won people over.

Its bitter, minty, spicy, and sweet notes add an immense complexity and depth of flavor to mixed drinks.

Fernet can be served neat, on the rocks, in long drinks, and cocktails.

Fernet Branca is an interesting liqueur to play with.

You must match it with bold flavors that mellow out its assertive taste.

Here’s a list of 21 Fernet Branca cocktails that will do just that.

Coffee lovers will enjoy Fernet with Cold Brew Coffee.

Fernet Apple Hot Toddy is excellent for snow days and cold nights.

Stay tuned until #21 for a tropical delight!

1. Orange Italian Mule

Easy to make and light on the palate, this Italian spin on the Moscow mule will have the original running for its money.

The recipe swaps out lime for orange.

The citrus’ bright and zesty flavors pair well with the bitterness of the Fernet.

Ginger beer adds a spicy finish and a bubbly mouthfeel.

2. Fernet & Coke

Fernet & Coke delivers a swift one-two punch in this thirst-quenching recipe.

This Argentine favorite must be doing something right since they love Fernet so much.

Coke has just the right amount of sweetness to balance the bitterness of the liqueur.

3. The Hanky Panky

You’re sure to have an incredible time with a cocktail named like that!

It’s a refreshing summer cocktail with gin, sweet vermouth, and fernet.

Sweetness and spiciness from the vermouth make this cocktail go down easy.

Only a few dashes of fernet are needed to give the cocktail a well-rounded flavor profile.

4. Toronto

The Toronto is a classic cocktail for a reason.

It has the right balance of flavors to make for a very drinkable blend.

Rye whiskey has a spicy finish with notes of smoke and oak.

The clove and cinnamon flavor from the angostura bitters add to the warm feel of the cocktail.

Using a large ice cube is ideal for this recipe to prevent watering down its flavors.

5. Fernet Sour Cocktail

This recipe uses equal parts of all ingredients.

Easy to keep in mind, right?

Green chartreuse has pleasant notes of lime, spice, and fresh herbs.

Its bright taste and aroma work well with the sweetness of the simple syrup.

An ounce of lime juice has enough acidity to combine all flavor components.

6. Ginger Flip Whiskey Cocktail

With the holiday season coming up, you’d want to keep this recipe in your back pocket.

Ginger spice whiskey creates a smooth sipping experience.

It has deep notes of caramel, toffee, and spice, like your usual whiskey.

The ginger component adds a refreshing finish.

Egg white gives the cocktail a silky smooth texture and a thin foam layer.

7. Sun Stealer

Get your cameras ready because this cocktail is just so dazzling.

It’s a winter cocktail with a delicious blend of sweet, bitter, and earthy flavors.

The gin base provides a body and a strong citrus taste and aroma that goes exceptionally well with the sweet vermouth.

Cremé de Cacao gives the cocktail hints of chocolate.

The syrupy sweetness of the cacao tames the bitterness of the fernet, allowing its herbaceous and minty punch to come through.

8. The Newark Cocktail

This recipe might be your new go-to drink.

A spin on the Brooklyn cocktail, it highlights the punchy personality of spirits with an added flavor twist from the liqueurs.

The apple brandy has a pronounced oaky flavor from the aging process.

It has the freshness of apples paired with a pleasant warmth from spices.

Maraschino liqueur adds a bitter and sour contrast to the sweetness of the vermouth.

9. Stazione

Looking for a cocktail to complete your date night meal?

Check out this recipe!

The Stazione is a stylish drink with tons of depth and complexity.

Strega liqueur’s notes of juniper, mint, and anise pair excellently with the sweet vermouth.

This drink is meant to be a digestif served after a hefty meal.

If you’re looking for ideas for a fancy dinner, we recommend garlic butter lamb chops.

10. Boy Blue

This recipe is just what you need for some quiet me.

It takes almost zero effort to make, but the results are superb.

Hochstadter’s Rock and Rye has a gentle, sweet flavor accented by grapefruit, honey, and orange notes.

Dry curacao adds a deep orange taste that complements the juicy blueberry garnish.

Serve this cocktail with a delicious pate, and you’re in for a good time!

11. Fernet Ramos

This one’s a fun drink with lots of foam.

It feels like a science experiment, but with a tasty reward at the end.

Freezing the drink ensures that the foam is stable.

Coca-cola helps the coagulation process and gives the drink a dose of sweetness.

The foam comes from egg whites and heavy cream, giving the drink a luxurious texture and rich flavor.

12. Last Man Standing

The last man standing is a cocktail!

Try this recipe if you’re in the mood for a slow drink.

It puts the bold flavors of Campari and fernet into a head-on collision, resulting in a cocktail that gets the best of both ingredients.

Campari has a strong bitterness and notes of orange and cinnamon.

Fernet is also bitter, but it has a lot of sugar hiding behind the herbaceous flavor.

The cocktail gets loads of pine, juniper, and lemon flavors from the London dry gin.

The gin pairs nicely with the peppery rye whiskey.

13. Napoleon Cocktail

This cocktail is as iconic as the man himself: Napoleon!

It’s a martini spinoff using dubonnet, an edgy fortified wine made with herbs, spices, and quinine.

Its fruity and spicy punch tastes fantastic with the herb and citrus flavor of the gin.

14. Fernet & Cold Brew Coffee

Forget a pick-me-up—how about a wake-me-up?

This coffee and liqueur combo makes for an irresistible cocktail mix.

Coconut rum has fruity and nutty flavors that pair well with the earthy richness of the coffee.

Irish cream liqueur adds a milky taste and a creamy texture to the drink.

The recipe uses cold-brew coffee, but a cooled-down french press brew will work fine.

15. The Guadalajara Cocktail

This tequila-based cocktail is a must-try for happy hour at home!

It uses reposado tequila, a liquor with hints of honey and caramel, and a warm finish.

Sweet agave syrup tones down the spicy kick of the tequila, making for a well-balanced drink.

Notes of chocolate and cinnamon from the mole bitters add some nuance to the cocktail.

16. Van Isle Iced Tea

Beat the summer heat with this cool cocktail!

This one needs a little more effort than other drinks on this list, but it’s worth it.

The Van Isle premix has smoky, sweet, and fruity flavors that stand out.

Soda water gives the drink a crisp and bubbly mouthfeel.

17. The Bubbly Ginger Biddy

Warm weather is always a treat, especially with a refreshing cocktail.

Ginger liqueur provides a bright blend of sweet and spicy flavors.

Its intense notes play well with the smoky and nutty taste of the whiskey.

A lemon wedge garnish brightens up the whole drink with a touch of acidity.

18. Winterbird

This drink is a certified crowd-pleaser!

It’s a fruity blend of dark rum, apricot liqueur, orange, pineapple, and lime.

The bright flavors of the fruit juices are an ideal match for the sweetness of the apricot liqueur.

Complete the tropical theme with coconut ice cream or any coconut dessert!

19. Fernet Apple Hot Toddy

Looking for something to warm you up?

This cocktail will get the job done!
Unlike most recipes in this list, this one makes a warm drink.

The blend of cider, honey, and lemon juice is so soothing.

You can also make this recipe with Meyer lemon juice!

20. Fernet Branca Collins

This cocktail is an easy way to add even more fun to your next outdoor gathering!

It’s like a lemonade with alcohol—you can’t go wrong with that!

The fernet’s strong herby flavor turns it into a refreshing iced tea cocktail.

21. Drink No Evil

Bring tropical island vibes to your next pool party with this fresh cocktail!

Caribbean rum brings tropical fruit flavors and some spice.

The sweet and tart combo of the grenadine balances the rum’s aged earthy taste.

The mint garnish adds a cool menthol breeze to the drink.

The bottom line

Fernet Branca often receives either a resounding yes or a hard no from people because of its bold flavors.

This misunderstood liqueur will be more appealing once you get to know it better.

It works in many different types of cocktails.

It can be the show’s star or a supporting piece that completes your drinking experience.

So if you’re still undecided about Fernet Branca, it’s time to take the leap.

Feel free to review our 21 Fernet Branca blends list if you want to get started.