Fernet Branca is a powerful Italian amaro known for its intensely herbal, bitter, and minty profile. While it’s often enjoyed as a digestif or a quick shot among bartenders, it also shines in select cocktails that balance its bold flavor. One such cocktail is the Toronto, a classic stirred drink that pairs Fernet Branca with rye whiskey, creating a complex and rewarding sipper. With hints of spice, mint, and sweetness, this cocktail is a perfect after-dinner choice or a contemplative nightcap.

Ingredients (Toronto Cocktail – Featuring Fernet Branca):

• 2 oz Rye Whiskey
• 0.25 oz Fernet Branca
• 0.25 oz Simple Syrup (1:1 sugar to water)
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters
• Orange peel (for garnish)
• Ice

Instructions:

Chill your glass

Place a coupe or old-fashioned glass in the freezer or fill it with ice water while you prepare the drink.

Prepare your mixing glass

Add to a mixing glass filled with ice:

• 2 oz Rye Whiskey
• 0.25 oz Fernet Branca
• 0.25 oz Simple Syrup
• 2 dashes Angostura Bitters

Stir well

Stir for about 20–30 seconds until the drink is cold and well diluted.

Strain

Strain the cocktail into your chilled glass (serve either neat in a coupe or over a large cube in a rocks glass).

Garnish

Express an orange peel over the drink to release its oils, then use it as garnish.

Serving suggestion:

Serve the Toronto cocktail as a slow sipper—perfect after a meal or during a quiet evening. Its herbal complexity and balanced sweetness make it one of the best showcases for Fernet Branca in cocktail form.