From Sparrow’s amaro list, Fernet Branca is the bold, bracing Italian classic that the bartenders reach for after dinner ($14 by the pour, or $21 for a larger pour). It is right at home in our 21+ lounge.
About Fernet Branca
Fernet Branca was first created in 1845 in Milan, where an apothecary named Bernardino Branca produced it as a medicinal herbal tonic. As this secret blend of herbs and spices caught on, the family business that became Fratelli Branca grew up around it, and the recipe is still made in Milan today. It is built from a closely guarded blend of botanicals drawn from around the world, including aloe, rhubarb, gentian, and chamomile, and it is rested in oak. The exact formula remains a trade secret, which is part of the fun of pouring it.
Tasting Notes
Known for its heavy, uncompromising bitterness and a cooling mint character, Fernet is the kind of spirit that wakes up the whole palate. It finishes dry and herbal, which is exactly why it is so often taken neat after a meal to aid digestion. It is also a key ingredient in classic cocktails like the Toronto and the Eva Peron.
What to Pair It With
Fernet shines as a digestivo, sipped neat after dinner, and it loves a little espresso alongside. After a plate from the Sparrow dinner menu, like the American Wagyu steaks or the Sparrow-Smoked Rack, a small pour of Fernet is the perfect full stop. Settle into the lounge or the four-season patio and let it do its work.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fernet Branca?
Fernet Branca is a bitter Italian amaro first made in Milan in 1845 from a secret blend of herbs and spices. It is known for its intense bitterness and minty finish, and is traditionally taken neat as an after-dinner digestivo.
How much is a pour of Fernet Branca at Sparrow?
At Sparrow in Kirkland, Fernet Branca is $14 by the pour, or $21 for a larger pour. You will find it on our amaro list in the Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside.
See it on the Sparrow beverages menu alongside other amari like Foro Sweet Vermouth. We are in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside, so reserve a table and come sip one after dinner.