In the Key of Branca

Name: In the Key of Branca
Ingredients: 3/4 oz Asbury Distilling Aquavit; 3/4 oz Mezcal Vago Elote; 1 oz Fernet Branca; 1 oz Carpano Antica Vermouth; 1 bar spoon Luxardo Amaro Abano; 4 dash(es) The Bitter Truth Creole Bitters

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By Mike Vander Horn

Made with a product from a current or former Crafted Pour partner. The creator may have received free product or other incentives from the brand.

4.0 Submitted on: January 29, 2022

Signatures

Spirit Forward

This is my bitter stirred entry into a popular cocktail competition. Easily my best photo to date, I’m super proud of this one! It’s a Fernet based Negroni-esque spec, and was inspired by a current Manhattan riff menu item at Amor Y Amargo in NYC. Changing the template, adding Fernet, and using bitters to compliment, this was crazy good but, alas, bitter. I enjoyed the hell out of the process here, if anyone makes this let me know what you think!

Ingredients

3/4 oz
Asbury Distilling Aquavit

3/4 oz
Mezcal Vago Elote

1 oz
Fernet Branca

1 oz
Carpano Antica Vermouth

1 bar spoon
Luxardo Amaro Abano

4 dash(es)
The Bitter Truth Creole Bitters

Instructions

Garnish

Orange Twist

Build

Stir & Strain

Glass

Old Fashioned/Rocks

Estimated strength

About 25% ABV (estimate)

By Mike Vander Horn

Mixologist

I hope to see my creations out in the wild!

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Add all ingredients to a mixing glass with ice and stir until chilled. Strain into a rocks glass over a large clear cube. Garnish with orange twist

Editor's Note

Fernet and mezcal collide in this bold, bitter-forward riff. The caraway-heavy aquavit provides a savory bridge that keeps the intense herbal profile grounded.