Fernet Cocktails by Barman Pite van den Bossche

As we mentioned previously, Fernet – the unofficial spirit of Argentina – has slowly been gaining popularity in the US, particularly in San Francisco and New York. But the bitter amaro – flavored with a mixture of 40 different roots, herbs, spices and other ingredients (including gentian, myrrh, chamomile and saffron) – is still hard to stomach for some, who have only tried the unique digestif mixed with Coca-Cola or taken as a shot.

So we asked veteran barman Pite van den Bossche, one of the leading mixologists in Buenos Aires and the creator of the specialty drinks menu at our members-only social club The Clubhouse, to craft two Fernet-based cocktails that would elevate the humble spirit. By pairing Fernet with flavors like coffee, basil and apple, Pite has succeeded in creating concoctions that appeal to a broader range of palettes and will turn even the most stringent Fernet haters into believers.

Photo courtesy of: Wil Fernandez

Try making the rich “Pretty Dark” and refreshing “All Summer” at home. And keep in mind that although there are several brands of Fernet on the market, Pite strongly recommends sticking with the classic, Fernet Branca.

Pretty Dark

Photo courtesy of: Wil Fernandez

In a cocktail shaker with ice, shake together:

1.5 spoons of sugar / 1.5 ct de azucar
4 mint leaves / 4 hojas de menta
2 basil leaves / 2 hojas de albahaca
.5 ounce espresso / .5 oz de cafe
.5 ounce Fernet Branca / .5 oz Fernet Branca
1.5 ounce Ron Durado rum / 1.5 oz de Ron Durado rum

Stripe the edges of a martini glass with whipped cream. Strain the cocktail into glass and garnish with a mint leaf.

All Summer

Photo courtesy of: Wil Fernandez

In a cocktail shaker with ice, shake:

1.5 ounce vodka / 1.5 oz de vodka
.5 ounce Fernet Branca / .5 oz de Fernet Branca
1 ounce apple juice / 1oz de juego de manzana
3 lime wedges / 3 rajos de lima
4 mint leaves / 4 hojas de menta
3 basil leaves muddled with a spoon of sugar / 3 hojas de albajaca matsacado con 1 ct de azucar
Top with ginger ale / Completar con ginger ale

Fill a tall glass with ice. Strain cocktail into glass and garnish with matchstick slices of apple.