IBA
Fernandito – IBA
Build ∙ 2 min ∙ 9.5% ABV ∙
The Fernandito is a two-ingredient highball of Fernet Branca and cola, built over ice in an old-fashioned glass. Bittersweet and minty-herbal up front, the cola's caramel sweetness tempering Fernet's medicinal bite into an easy, low-ABV sipper for a long night out.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Pour the Fernet Branca liqueur 50 ml into a double old fashioned glass with ice, fill the glass up with Cola 120 ml
- Stir gently
Tips
- Fill the old-fashioned glass with large ice cubes first to slow dilution, since the cola-to-Fernet ratio is over 2:1 and needs a slow melt.
- Pour the Fernet Branca over the ice before the cola so the heavier liqueur settles and mixes evenly once topped, avoiding a bitter layer at the bottom.
- Stir only once or twice after building to preserve the cola's carbonation instead of vigorously mixing, which flattens the drink quickly.
- Use a fresh, cold can of cola straight from the fridge so the fizz stays lively against the room-temperature Fernet.
History
The Fernandito, also known as fernet con coca or fernando, is Argentina's mix of fernet and cola, an offshoot of the country's long-standing habit of drinking Fernet-Branca, an Italian amaro brought over by Italian immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. The drink's own origin is poorly documented and mixed with legend, though it is generally agreed to have emerged in Córdoba Province, and is closely tied to Córdoba city. Some accounts trace it to the 1950s as a softer variation on fernet mixed with soda water, while others credit its invention to Oscar "el Negro" Becerra, a bartender and drummer from Cruz del Eje, who is said to have combined fernet with cola instead of soda in the 1970s. The combination spread through Córdoba's university and nightlife culture in the 1970s and 1980s before becoming popular nationwide, aided by a joint marketing campaign between Fratelli Branca and Coca-Cola launched in the 1990s. In 2020, the International Bartenders Association added it to its official list under the name Fernandito, in the New Era Drinks category, making it the first Argentine cocktail to receive that recognition.
FAQ
What is in a Fernandito?
Fernet Branca liqueur and cola, built over ice in an old-fashioned glass. It is a simple two-ingredient highball with no citrus or garnish required, at roughly 9.5% ABV.
Is a Fernandito shaken or stirred?
Neither — it is built directly in the glass. The Fernet and cola are poured over ice and given a brief stir to combine, which keeps the cola's fizz intact.
What glass is a Fernandito served in?
An old-fashioned glass, built over ice.
Is a Fernandito vegan?
Yes, it is vegan, vegetarian, and lactose-free, since it contains only Fernet Branca liqueur and cola with no dairy or animal-derived ingredients.
How strong is a Fernandito?
It is a relatively light cocktail at about 9.5% ABV and around 185 calories per serving, thanks to the large proportion of cola diluting the Fernet.
