Waterfront
Build ∙ 2 min ∙ 16.7% ABV ∙
The Waterfront is a built highball of Fernet Branca, Branca Menta, lime juice, and ginger beer, served long over ice. Bitter herbal depths give way to a cooling menthol wave, sharpened by tart citrus and a spicy, effervescent fizz that lingers long and bracing.
Ingredients
1
Servings
Garnish
Instructions for 1 serving
- Pre-chill a glass
- Pour all ingredients into the ice-filled glass: Fernet Branca liqueur 60 mlBranca Menta liqueur 30 mlLime juice 15 mlGinger beer 75 ml
- Briefly stir
- Garnish with a lime wedge and a mint sprig
Tips
- Build straight in the pre-chilled, ice-filled glass — nothing gets shaken here, so the ginger beer keeps its lift.
- Top with the ginger beer last and pour gently to keep its carbonation for a livelier finish.
- Express the mint sprig by slapping it once before garnishing to release its oils over the drink.
History
The Waterfront was created by bartender Damon Boelte for the opening menu of Prime Meats, a steakhouse and cocktail bar in the Carroll Gardens neighborhood of Brooklyn, in 2008. Boelte, known for his enthusiasm for Fernet-Branca, built the highball around two ounces of Fernet-Branca and an ounce of its minty sister liqueur Branca Menta, lengthened with lime juice and ginger beer, describing it as an especially bitter, medicinal take on a Dark 'n' Stormy. It became known for carrying more Fernet-Branca than any other cocktail on the menu, popular enough within the bar industry that staff began warning customers about its intensity before serving it. Prime Meats has since closed, but the drink remains one of Boelte's best-known creations alongside his Fernet-and-Branca-Menta shot, the Hard Start, which also originated at the same bar.
FAQ
What is in a Waterfront cocktail?
A Waterfront is built from Fernet Branca, Branca Menta, fresh lime juice, and ginger beer, poured over ice in a highball glass and garnished with a lime wedge and mint sprig.
How strong is a Waterfront cocktail?
A Waterfront comes in at about 16.7% ABV. The two Fernet Branca liqueurs make up most of the pour, but the ginger beer and ice lengthen it into an easy-drinking, moderate-strength highball rather than a spirit-forward sipper.
Is a Waterfront vegan?
Yes, a Waterfront is vegan, vegetarian, and lactose-free, since it is built entirely from liqueurs, fresh lime juice, and ginger beer with no animal-derived ingredients.
