We’d like to honor one of the favourite cocktails of the Argentineans. Everyone in Argentina has tried –at least once- a ‘Fernet con Coca’ (which means ‘Fernet and Cola’). Some like it strong, others prefer it softer; but it’s a fact that most people who like to drink alcohol, like to drink Fernet.
This famous drink is great because it combines two ingredients: Fernet and Cola (duh!): the first one is very bitter and it’s balanced with the sweetness of cola. So, if you are someone who likes bitter drinks, you can prepare it with more Fernet than cola (or even just Fernet with soda water); if you like sweet drinks, you can prepare it with more cola and you’ll be drinking a smooth drink with a trace of a bitter taste.
Its popularity never stops growing, especially among teenagers and young adults.
But… where did it all start?
Fernet is an Italian type of amaro with a bitter aromatic spirit. Fernet’s smell is described as ‘black licorice-flavored Listerine’. It’s very popular in Argentina, where production is around 25 million liters: 30% is sold in Buenos Aires and its capital city; 30% is sold in Córdoba and the rest around the country.
Fernet can be mixed into different cocktails. It can replace bitters in recipes, for instance: the Fanciulli cocktail is a Manhattan with Fernet instead of Angostura bitters.
It was made in Milan, Italy, by Bernardino Branca. It was mainly for medical use, but people used to drink it. He realized that he could earn more money by selling it as an alcoholic drink (this is similar to the Coke-Cola story: it was first sold as medicine and then as a regular drink. Maybe that’s the reason why they are so good together).
This year marked the 170th anniversary of Fernet Branca’s first appearance. We are all familiarized with its symbol.
However, do you know how that famous image was born?
An eagle holds a bottle of Fernet Branca while flying around the world. The logo –which over the years became the symbol of the company- has an important source: the author is Leopoldo Metlicovitz, born in Tiesta in 1868. He is a reference for many young artists like Marcelo Dudovich.
After a few years of use, the official logo was inscribed in the Ministry of National Economy of Italy, in 1905.
Although in Argentina is the most famous drink, lots of celebrities have claimed to like it:
Angel Cabrera (a golf player) says he loves it. In the movie ‘The Dark Knight Rises’, you can see Alfred (Bruce Wayne’s assistant) order a Fernet in a bar. This is also done by Hugh Laurie in the series ‘A bit of Fry and Laurie’.
Fernet is considered the drink of friendship (right after beer). In Argentina, you don’t go to a friend’s house and drink a gin-tonic with friends. You drink Fernet (or a beer, of course).
Fernet and Cola is the drink that Argentineans choose to share with friends and loved ones. That’s why it means a lot for us; because Fernet is like a symbol that reminds us a lot of cool experiences that we had together.
Cheers!!
Brian Ferrari, Facundo Silva, Gabriel Maiolo and Ignacio Morales- 5th year
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