As a long-time Food Network star, Alton Brown serves as an incredible guide when it comes to food. The beloved chef also knows his stuff when it comes to cocktails, and his take on the espresso martini, called The Relic, features an ingredient you might not expect, but should definitely try: Fernet Branca. Traditional espresso martinis feature vodka, espresso, and coffee liquor, but Brown's adds an additional layer of flavor with a measure of the spirit.
The bitter, herbaceous, bartender favorite might sound like an unusual pairing for the other coffee-forward ingredients, but it makes the cocktail taste layered, robust, and less sweet than traditional versions. Not only does Brown's espresso martini contain Fernet, but it also contains Amaro Nonino, an amaro that's commonly used in Paper Planes. His version leans into the bitterness of coffee, and the result is a beverage that pushes the boundaries of what an espresso martini can be.
What is Fernet? Fernet is a type of Italian liquor that hails from the 19th century. A popular type of Fernet is called Fernet-Branca, which is what Brown's recipe calls for. It's bitter, herbaceous, slightly minty, and extremely strong in flavor.
At 39% ABV, it's boozier than some other digestives or amaros, but not quite as strong as, say, whiskey. As with many unique spirits, the exact recipe for Fernet-Branca is kept top-secret, but it's known to contain 27 ingredients. It has a dark, reddish-brown hue and was historically known to have medi.
