Wines
Fernet-Branca
The festive season is always the perfect time for some tipple, so this week we tell you more about one of the South American spirits of choice - Fernet-Branca.
Fernet is the national drink of Argentina, and an incredible 75% of the global supply is consumed there; Argentinians truly love it, Fazendeiros.
What is Fernet-Branca?
Fernet-Branca is the world's most popular brand of fernet, a spirit that is usually around 40% abv. It's known for its strong, rooty, medicinal flavour which - to be honest - is very polarising for lots of people.Its popularity - in the world of fernet - is often compared to the popularity of Coca-Cola - it's simply considered to be the best brand in its category.
History
Interestingly, fernet actually started life as a natural medicine, and was marketed as a treatment for cholera. Despite now knowing that it never actually worked, it's what sparked the popularity of the spirit before people began to drink it recreationally.Originating in Milan, Fernet-Branca was the first brand to be openly sold to consumers as a recreational drink in 1845. The recipe was slightly modified to make it more palatable to most people.
The bitters are made from 27 herbs, the recipe of which is a highly-guarded secret. It's such a big secret that the president of the company, Niccolò Branca, actually personally measures out the aromatics, as he's the only person that knows the exact formula. 5 of these 27 ingredients are mixed in a locked room, further adding to the mystery and charm of this unique spirit.
There is one ingredient in Fernet-Branca that we can be certain about though - saffron. The company uses a mind-boggling 75% of the world's global supply!
How it's Enjoyed
Fernet-Braca is usually consumed straight, with the majority of drinkers enjoying its untampered, strong warmth.Obviously, drinking spirits neat isn't for everyone. That's why it's also popular to drink fernet with cola, giving a much sweeter taste with a slightly medicinal finish. The popularity of fernet skyrocketed in the 1990s, due to a marketing campaign that positioned it as a Coca-Cola cocktail. It was commonly ordered as a '90-2-10' as it was one-tenth fernet, nine-tenths cola, and finished with 2 ice cubes.
It's also often mixed into cocktails as a supporting ingredient, such as the 'Toronto', the first recorded cocktail to make use of fernet.
Have you ever tried this truly interesting spirit, Fazendeiros? We'd love to hear your thoughts about it over on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
Book a table
Choose a venue
Leeds
Liverpool
Manchester
Edinburgh
Birmingham
London
Before you book
Please read all reservation terms stated on this page. By making a reservation with us you agree to our terms.
Reservation Terms
Online Reservations
Tables of up to 10 guests can be booked straight from our website (9 for Fazenda Birmingham and Edinburgh).For larger tables please contact [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], [email protected] and our Reception Teams will be happy to help with your enquiry.
After making your reservation you'll receive a confirmation email. Should you not see this in your inbox after a few minutes please check your spam/junk folders. Do let us know if you have not received it and we'll be happy to help.
Dress Code
Our dress code is “elegant smart casual”. We do not require gentlemen to wear jacket and tie, however, we do not permit sportswear (gym wear) or beachwear.Children
We welcome children of all ages and believe we provide a great atmosphere for families to enjoy the restaurant experience. In the evening if guests wish to make a reservation with children under the age of 8 please do so for no later than 6pm (reservation durations vary depending on the number of guests so please note the reservation cannot go beyond 8pm). When making a reservation please count children in the total number of guests and let us know if you need a high chair or space for a pram/pushchair.
Please note: We politely request that children are always supervised and remain seated at the table to allow our teams and other guests to move around the restaurant safely and maintain physical distance.
Lastly, please note that children under 16 years of age need to be accompanied by an adult to dine.Cancellations & Deposits
We might require card details for some reservations. Your card will not be charged upon booking and your details will be securely processed by Stripe.If you no longer wish to keep your reservation, please let us know with as much notice as possible. Should you cancel your reservation or reduce the booking size less than 24 hours before your reservation date and time, a charge of £10.00 per guest will be processed.
Halal Selection
Halal reservations must be made at least 48 hours in advance.Allergens
The team at Fazenda take food safety very seriously and particularly so when it concerns allergens in food. On our website you can view allergen information on our Menu page. When visiting us you'll have access to it via our menus and also on our Market Table.Smoking
In line with legislation passed in 2007 Fazenda is a no-smoking restaurant. We do not allow e-cigarettes inside either.Pets & Guide Dogs
Animals are not accepted unless assisting guests with additional needs.Photography
Guests are allowed to take photos and videos for personal use inside the private dining room, gardens and on the terrace. At the moment we are not able to accommodate any photography requests for professional or educational purposes until further notice.FAQs
**What are your opening days and times? **
To view each restaurant opening times please click on Locations and choose your local Fazenda.Are you accepting walk-ins?
We are now accepting walk-ins once again.How can I make a reservation?
You can make a reservation via our website or by contacting your local Fazenda by clicking on Locations.Do I need to pay a deposit for my reservation?
We might require card details for some reservations. Your card will not be charged upon booking and your details will be securely processed by Stripe.If you no longer wish to keep your reservation, please let us know with as much notice as possible. Should you cancel your reservation or reduce the booking size less than 24 hours before your reservation date and time, a charge of £10.00 per guest will be processed.
Can I have drinks at the bar?
Absolutely, and reservations are not needed in advance for our bar areas.Are Christmas reservations available?
They are indeed, via our reservations page.