Recipe

• 1.5oz espresso or strong coffee (I did a strong Aeropress coffee)
• 1oz sweet vermouth (I used Yzaguirre Rojo Reserva, but an Italian sweet vermouth may work better)
• .25oz Fernet Branca
• .25oz simple syrup
• Few dashes of orange bitters (I used Regan’s)

Shake all with ice and strain into a glass filled with fresh ice. The foam is just from shaking the coffee! Garnish with some freshly grated nutmeg.

About

I’m admittedly not a big fan of Fernet Branca, so over the past year I’ve tried making an attempt at befriending fernets a bit more (there’s more to the category than just Fernet Branca!). I still have a ways to go, but if you’ve got an affinity for the minty, bitter, medicinal, herbal intensity that is Fernet Branca, this may be right up your alley.

This is the Jitterbug from Jamie Boudreau at Canon and it is definitely aptly named. This is something that’ll wake you straight up to start your day.  It’s bold and aggressive, and if you like strong flavors, this is one to try.