The best cigar drink you've never heard of...

Taken from my blog, I thought it pertinent to post here as many have never heard of this drink:

It's called Fernet con Coca.

You really don’t know what you’re missing. Neither did I, until a recent trip to Argentina opened my eyes to what has to be one of the best marriages of drink and smoke ever. Late one night in a smokey club in Neuquen, a city in the south-west region (Patagonia, some call it), my brother in law orders us two drinks. Fernet con Coca. “Dos, por favor.”

“What is it?” I asked.

“It’s the drink.” He replies utilizing 80% of his english vocabulary in one sentence. And he’s right, in a way. It is the drink. In Argentina, it is the national alcoholic beverage of choice. It is made with two simple ingredients: A shot of Fernet-Branca – an italian herbal digestif seriously high in alcohol content – and Coca-Cola. You start with a tall collins glass, fill to the brim with large ice cubes. Fill 1/10th with Fernet and the rest with Coke. The combination, for some reason unknown to me, creates a much thicker head of fizz than usual. Fernetis a type of amaro, a bitter, aromatic spirit. It is made from a number of different herbs and spices including myrrh, rhubarb, chamomile, cardamom, aloe, and saffron, with a base of grape distilled spirits.

The taste the Fernet imparts to the Coke is uncannily smokey. You can taste wood, especially cedar, along with tea leaves and dry earth. This is delicately framed by the sweetness of the Coke to create, in my opinion, a great addition to a smoke. Because the flavors of the Fernet are very broad, they don’t distract from the flavors of the cigar. In fact, they almost force your palate to get into the “zone” where you start to taste those nuances you read about in Cigar Aficionado. Abbiritions of orange peel, currant, wheat, honey; things many of the smokers I know say they have yet to taste, begin to appear on your tongue as bright and clear as day.

Of course, when I got back to the states, the first thing I went looking for was Fernet-Branca. Can it be found easily? Hell, yes. In fact the very first liquor store I visited had it. It is also easy to find at online retailers. The going price is around $24, which is fine considering you only need to use very little at a time.

[pnoon]

I was gifted a bottle of this and really had no idea on what to do with it or how best to drink it.

Now I have something to try.

Thanks for posting this.

[loki]

gona have to try this

Sounds interesting. Thanks for posting.

[replicant_argent]

sounds delicious.
I will keep my eye out for it.

[Stick]

I have had it as a shot with a ginger-ale chaser, pretty tasty but very strong/bitter straight. Will have to try the coke mix.

Good article in The Atlantic a little while ago on it.

[pnoon]

It's 80 proof.

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by Stick

I have had it as a shot with a ginger-ale chaser, pretty tasty but very strong/bitter straight. Will have to try the coke mix. Good article in the Atlantic a little while ago on it.

Cool article, David.

I especially liked this part:
"Branca’s great-great-grandfather conceived the original formula in 1845. “It was born as a medicine,” Branca said, and for decades Fernet was touted for its healthful effects. As recently as 1962, Suburbia Today recommended it for “overeating, flatulence, hangovers, gas pains, [and] lifting yourself off the floor when you’ve mixed oysters and bananas.”

[Stick]

Originally Posted by pnoon

Cool article, David.

I especially liked this part:
"Branca’s great-great-grandfather conceived the original formula in 1845. “It was born as a medicine,” Branca said, and for decades Fernet was touted for its healthful effects. As recently as 1962, Suburbia Today recommended it for “overeating, flatulence, hangovers, gas pains, [and] lifting yourself off the floor when you’ve mixed oysters and bananas.”

I figured that might explain why you were gifted the bottle Peter.

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by Stick

I figured that might explain why you were gifted the bottle Peter.

Is there ANYONE who will cut me some slack?

Ironic, isn't it, that it came from one of my fellow S.H.I.T. herfers.

[Sauer Grapes]

I hate it when I accidentally mix oysters and bananas. They just go so good together and sometimes you forget that it makes gravity 5X stronger.

[alley00p]

Personally, I've always been partial to "Cigar Malt" a single malt scotch from "The Dalmore"

But I'll have to get a bottle of this and take it up to the Cigar shop!

Thanks for the great review!!

[LasciviousXXX]

Originally Posted by pnoon

Is there ANYONE who will cut me some slack?

Ironic, isn't it, that it came from one of my fellow S.H.I.T. herfers.

Even though you never do for me Peter... I will cut you some slack


It sounds interesting however the "saffron" flavor kind of turns me off. I love the flavor of saffron in food but can't imagine it being anywhere near tasty in a drink

The rhubarb/cardamom part

basil muddled in grapefruit juice with vodka

[Veritas]

I will definitely be seeking a bottle of this stuff. Thanks for the info.

Originally Posted by LasciviousXXX

Even though you never do for me Peter... I will cut you some slack


It sounds interesting however the "saffron" flavor kind of turns me off. I love the flavor of saffron in food but can't imagine it being anywhere near tasty in a drink

The rhubarb/cardamom part

It doesn't actually taste like saffron or rhubarb. Those are just ingredients used to make it... It taste very woody, cedary, and earthy. And it is WAY too strong by itself, which is why Coke makes a great pairing with it.

Thanks for all the kind responses guys!

[pnoon]

Originally Posted by covetry

And it is WAY too strong by itself, which is why Coke makes a great pairing with it.

I agree that it is not to be drunk by itself but not because it is too strong in alcohol - 80 proof. Maybe because of the strength in flavor. It is a bit overwhelming and "different.

[Parshooter]

Interesting. Wonder if it will mix with anything other than Coke (maybe Sprite?).

[Scottw]

Originally Posted by alley00p

Personally, I've always been partial to "Cigar Malt" a single malt scotch from "The Dalmore"
But I'll have to get a bottle of this and take it up to the Cigar shop!

Thanks for the great review!!

I love this stuff, it is dangerous for sure when enjoyed with a great stick .I downed an entire bottle with a buddy of mine over a few Pepin Garcia Centurions.

[mosesbotbol]

I thought it was common to mix with soda and/or orange juice? Similar to Campari would be.

Sounds like you have a offered us a good mixed drink!