Liquor Excellence: Embrace Fernet, Your Newfound Favorite for Hangover Relief and Digestive Satisfaction
Uncensored, Uncensored, Unapologetic Guide to Fernet
Known infamously for being a drink that aids in combating food comas and digestive issues, fernet is now commonly offered post-feast to ward off fatigue, soothe indigestion, and cure hangovers.
What's in this boozy brew?
Despite containing a whopping 40% alcohol, it's unlikely you'll guzzle down a glass of this potent potion. Each brand crafts their own concoction, but the fundamental composition includes a harmonious fusion of 20+ herbs and spices, such as cardamom, myrrh, chamomile, peppermint, saffron, menthol, and cloves. Even your grandma's recipe book ain't got sh*t on this brew!
Fernet: The Divisive Potion
Let's be real; it's an understatement to say that fernet is an acquired taste. Bartenders and Italian restaurant owners alike will tell you that their patrons either can't get enough of this minty-herbal aperitif, or absolutely despise it.
Create or Hate: Origins of the Aperitif
Born in Milan in 1845, Bernardino Branca founded the Fratelli Branca distillery and birthed Fernet-Branca. Initially conceived as a fcking cure for cholera, fernet was believed to spark the appetite in sick people. Local hospitals even administered this bitter brew to stimulate hunger in their patients. Crazy, right?
The secret formula for Fernet-Branca remains a family secret to this day. However, the current recipe contains ingredients sourced globally, including aloe, rhubarb, and chamomile. Today, this liquid cure-all is still served alongside coffee and ice cream on dessert menus in its native country and many Italian restaurants across the states.
The Argentine Twist
Emigration from Italy to South America in the 20th century brought fernet to Argentina. Centuries later, the import remains a cultural staple for locals, who decided to dilute the acrid taste by mixing it with Coca-Cola, creating the national cocktail, the Fernando.
By the '90s, this drink was so popular that a rock band, Vilma Palma e Vampiros, released a theme song: Fernet con Coca. Despite its Milanese roots, Argentina remains the largest consumer of fernet, with the only other Fratelli Branca distillery outside of Milan located there.
Health Benefits: Dubious or Not?
During Prohibition, fernet was allowed to be sold due to its supposed medicinal properties. It was advertised to aid digestion, reduce fevers, and alleviate pain. Early versions even claimed to cure cholera and help those with nervous weakness, lack of appetite, sickness, or tapeworms. Whilst the efficacy of these claims is debatable, health-conscious individuals might appreciate its low sugar content and the abundance of herbs usually found only at hipster juice bars and yoga studios.
West Coast: The Heart of Fernet Culture
With ginger ale in hand, devotees of fernet flock to the West Coast to experience the best creations their mixologists have to offer. Often dubbed "the Bartender's Handshake," a request for a shot of fernet signals insider status among those in the food and drink industry. Fernet remains highly popular in San Francisco, contributing to a quarter of all fernet consumed in the United States as of 2008.
For first-time fernet enthusiasts, try an Industry Sour or Hanky Panky - these cocktails incorporate bright acidity or added sweetness to take the edge off. If you're feeling ballsy, do the shot, and your bartender will hold you in high regard. Prost!
Fernet's reputation as a drink is tied to its digestive health benefits, having been historically used to stimulate appetite and combat indigestion. (Digestive, health)
Despite its controversial taste, fernet's ingredients echo those found in health-conscious foods, such as aloe, rhubarb, and chamomile, hinting at potential health advantages. (Fernet, ingredients, health)
Initially marketed as a potential cure for cholera, fernet's true origins lie in its medicinal properties, making it a fascinating and complex liquid with debatable health benefits. (Cholera, true)
