Fernet Branca Miniature Italian Bitter 10 cl 39%

Milan, 1845. A self-taught herbalist blends 27 secret ingredients into a bitter so dark and complex that the recipe remains a closely guarded family secret to this day.

Expert Description

Fernet Branca Miniature Italian Bitter is an Italian Bitter from Fratelli Branca, bottled at 39% in a handy 10cl bottle.

It all began with Bernardino Branca, a self-taught herbalist who in 1845 created a bitter from 27 different herbs and spices sourced from around the world, a recipe that has never been published since. His sons Luigi, Giuseppe and Stefano later took over the business and built it into the institution it is today. In 1905, the bottle received its now-iconic trademark, an eagle with outstretched wings gripping a bottle above the globe.

This miniature bottle carries the exact same recipe and strength as the full 70cl bottle, just in a format that is perfect for tasting your way in or taking along on the road.

Tasting Notes

Nose

Dark, dry herbs with a hint of liquorice and orange peel, underpinned by a deep, almost medicinal bitterness.

Palate

Intensely bitter from the first sip, with notes of myrrh and cinnamon. A warm, golden spiciness, likely from saffron, mingles with a touch of menthol.

Finish

Long and dry, with a trace of root and herbs that lingers on the palate.

Specifications

Name: Fernet Branca Miniature Italian Bitter
Distillery: Fratelli Branca
Region/Country: Italy, Milan
Type: Italian Bitter
ABV: 39%
Size: 10cl
EAN no.: 8004400013044
Serving suggestion: Best enjoyed ice-cold as a digestif, on its own or with a splash of cola

Flavour Profile

Bitter · Herbal · Spiced · Dark

Did You Know?

Fernet Branca actually sells more in Argentina than in its home country of Italy. The fernet con coca combination has become a true national drink there, and the country alone accounts for the vast majority of global sales.

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Frequently Asked Questions about Fernet Branca Miniature Italian Bitter

What does Fernet Branca taste like?

Fernet Branca has an intensely bitter taste with notes of dark herbs, myrrh, cinnamon and a hint of menthol. The bitterness comes from a secret blend of 27 herbs and spices, and the finish is long and dry.

How is Fernet Branca best served?

The classic way is ice-cold as a digestif, straight from the freezer. In Argentina it is often mixed with cola in the fernet con coca drink, while Italians mostly prefer it neat after a meal.

Why is the Fernet Branca recipe kept secret?

The Branca family has never published the full recipe since Bernardino Branca created the bitter in 1845. Today only a handful of people within the company know the exact composition of the 27 ingredients.

What is the difference between this miniature and the regular 70cl bottle?

There is no difference in recipe or strength, the miniature is the same Fernet Branca at 39%, just in a small 10cl format that is ideal for tasting or taking on your travels.

Is Fernet Branca a whisky or a bitter?

Fernet Branca is an Italian herbal bitter, also known as an amaro, and has nothing to do with whisky. Its base is distilled alcohol infused with herbs, roots and spices.

Can Fernet Branca be used in cocktails?

Yes, it appears in several classic cocktails, including the Hanky Panky and the Toronto, and is often used as an aromatic bittering agent in many other drinks.