Fernet and Coke — The Argentine national drink — a tall, icy mix of Fernet-Branca and Coca-Cola, known locally as fernandito

Fernet and Coke

The Argentine national drink — a tall, icy mix of Fernet-Branca and Coca-Cola, known locally as fernandito

Number of people

Ingredients

  • 4 1/2 ozCoca-Cola
    Cold, full-sugar Coca-Cola — the caramel balances the Fernet
    Substitute: Diet versions change the balance; Mexican Coke is considered superior in Argentina
  • 1 1/2 ozFernet-Branca
    Chilled, poured over ice in a tall glass
    Substitute: Fernet 1882 or any Argentine fernet — Branca is the global standard
  • 1 1/2 ozFernet 1882
    The Argentine bottle — 1882 is a common base for the fernandito; use it or the Branca, not both
    Substitute: Fernet-Branca, or any fernet

Instructions

  1. Fill a tall highball glass to the top with fresh ice cubes

    Plenty of ice is essential — a thin drink is the wrong drink

  2. Pour 1 1/2 oz Fernet-Branca over the ice

    Fernet kept in the freezer is traditional

  3. Top with about 4 1/2 oz cold Coca-Cola, keeping roughly a 1:3 ratio

    Cola must be cold, fresh, and full-sugar

  4. Stir briefly with a barspoon from the bottom to integrate without killing the carbonation, then serve immediately

Technique Notes

Build in a tall glass filled with ice, roughly one part Fernet to three parts Coke, stir briefly from the bottom

Why the Fernet and Coke Works

Argentina's national mixed drink — Coca-Cola's caramel and vanilla are the same flavour notes Fernet's herbal-bitter base happens to undercut, so the cola sweetens and aromatises in one move. The result tastes neither like Fernet nor like Coke; the two cancel each other into something amaro-light and surprisingly drinkable.

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