Fernet
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Fernet is a type of amaro, a bitter, aromatic spirit. Fernet is made from a number of herbs and spices which vary according to the brand, but may include myrrh, rhubarb, chamomile, cardamom, aloe, and saffron, with a base of grape distilled spirits, and colored with caramel coloring.
Fernet-Branca, an Italian brand of Fernet, is usually served as a digestif after a meal but may also be served with coffee and espresso or mixed into coffee and espresso drinks. It may be served at room temperature or on the rocks (with ice). A mint-flavored version of Fernet-Branca, Brancamenta, is also available.
Because of its list of ingredients, a number of home remedies call for Fernet-Branca, including for the treatment of menstrual and gastrointestinal discomfort, hangovers, baby colic, and (formerly) cholera.
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[edit] Popularity
Highly popular in Argentina, it is often taken as a national beverage. The most common preparation is with Coca-Cola: A tall glass with several ice cubes is filled about 1/10 full with Fernet and then Coke is slowly added. Other popular methods of drinking among Argentine youth are simply pouring the bottle of fernet into a 1/5 full 2.5L bottle of Coca-Cola and drinking it like that; half or 4/5 fillig a tall glass with cold fernet and the rest with Coke. The Argentinian province of Córdoba, with more than 3 million people, has the world's highest consumption of this beverage, with more than 6.5 million bottles consumed each year.
Fernet has been popular for the past couple decades in the Czech Republic, where it is served as a shot, or over ice with tonic water and is affectionately called a Bavorske Pivo (a Bavarian Beer).
The drink has been popular in San Francisco since before prohibition; its recent surge in popularity is the subject of a 2005 SF Weekly article.[1] Local bars often serve Fernet as a shot followed by a ginger ale chaser.[1]
Fernet gained additional visibility when it was reported to be the favorite drink of 2007 U.S. Open winner Ángel Cabrera.[2]
The drink was also the subject of a comedy routine of the same name from Bill Cosby's album Fat Albert, in which he describes his own experiences with the drink.
Fernet is consumed by the title character in the film "Nights of Cabiria", directed by Federico Fellini.
MetroWise.com described[3] the experience of drinking Fernet as:
| “ | The easiest way to explain the taste is to imagine Jägermeister without the sugar. You shoot it, immediately getting a strong hit of mouthwash - drying the mouth out, stinging the tongue. Its kind of like getting hit in the nose. Your brain hurts, your eyes sting and water, you cough a bit. Then, as soon as it begins a warm wave of relief washes over and you are left baptized in Italian herbals and golf ball eyed awake. | ” |
[edit] Cocktails
Fernet can be mixed into cocktails (other than simply being mixed or chased), though the strong taste can overwhelm other ingredients. It can replace bitters in recipes; for instance, the Fanciulli cocktail is a Manhattan with Fernet instead of Angostura bitters.[4] The Toronto is another take on the Manhattan, and is made with whiskey, Fernet, and Bitters.
The chef Fergus Henderson offers a recipe, entitled "A Miracle," that approximates Brancamenta by combining two parts Fernet with one part crème de menthe over ice. The recipe states that this cocktail can be used as a cure for overindulgence, but does not specify whether the overindulgence is gustatory or alcoholic.[5] It is also the claimed favorite San Francisco drink, according to Burbiss.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Cavalieri, Nate (2005-12-07). "The Myth of Fernet". SF Weekly. http://www.sfweekly.com/2005-12-07/news/the-myth-of-fernet/full. Retrieved on 2007-09-18.
- ^ Shipnuck, Alan (2007-06-20). "Grand Opening". Golf.com. http://www.golf.com/golf/tours_news/article/0,28136,1635158,00.html. Retrieved on 2007-08-07.
- ^ Template:Url =http://www.metrowize.com/fernet-branca-sf-liquer-of-choice
- ^ Eric Felten (2009-01-03). Wall Street Journal. http://online.wsj.com/article/SB123092858411149807.html.
- ^ Fergus Henderson (April 2004). The Whole Beast: Nose to Tail Eating. Ecco. ISBN 0060585366.
