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    Home » Cocktails » Whiskey

    The Toronto Cocktail A Fernet-Branca Cocktail

    LAST UPDATED: December 5, 2019 PUBLISHED: November 18, 2019 By Pam Greer 12 Comments As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    The Toronto Cocktail is a delicious rye whiskey cocktail featuring Fernet-Branca.  It's the perfect balance of sweet and bitter, rich and full of flavor. 

    Cocktail glass filled with a brown liquid.

    Fernet-Branca Cocktails

    So many cocktails, so little time.  Trying to decide what cocktails to make next is quite the challenge.  Do I stick with a theme, like warm soothing cocktails or riffs of classic cocktails like a Bees Knees Variation, that you might not have heard of? 

    Throwing all caution to the wind, I decided to just grab a bottle of something and find some cocktails to make.  I grabbed  Fernet-Branca.  

    Fernet-Branca is an Italian amaro.  A type of bitter spirit.  There is a fairly long list of what it might possibly be infused with - like myrrh, rhubarb, chamomile, cardamom and more!   It's rich and complex tasting.

    It's used in a similar way to how you might use Campari, to bring a complex bitterness to cocktails.  I've started my exploration with a classic Fernet-Branca Cocktail - The Toronto Cocktail.   

     

    Rye whiskey, Fernet-Branca, Angostura bitters, simple syrup to make a Toronto Cocktail.

    Ingredients in The Toronto Cocktail

    • Whiskey - I am using a rye whiskey to add some sweetness and spice to the cocktail.  As you would suspect a cocktail called The Toronto started out by using Canadian Whisky.   So, if you have Canadian Whisky give it a try! 
    • Fernet-Branca - adds a deep rich, bitter flavor. 
    • Angostura Aromatic Bitters - classic bitters.
    • Simple Syrup - we make up a batch of simple syrup (equal parts water and sugar, heated on the stove and stirred just until the sugar dissolves) - it will keep in the fridge for about a month.  We always use a piece of tape with the date on it, so we know when it was made. 
    • Orange peel - not pictured. 

    Photo collage showing the whiskey and the Fernet-Branca for a Toronto Cocktail.

    How to Make a Toronto Cocktail

    Add ice to a mixing glass and find your bar spoon. 

    Measure 2 ounces of whiskey and add to the mixing glass.  Add ¼ an ounce of Fernet Branca to the mixing glass. 

    Bottle of simple syrup and bottle of Angostura bitters.

    Add ¼ an ounce of simple syrup to the mixing glass. 

    Add 2 dashes of Angostura Bitters to the glass.  Note - a dash is usually considered ⅛ of a teaspoon.  So, you would be adding ¼ a teaspoon of bitters. 

    Collage showing the last two steps for making a Toronto Cocktail.

    Stir the ingredients in the mixing glass.  You typically stir a cocktail for 30-45 seconds.  You are doing that to both chill the cocktail and to properly dilute the cocktail. 

    Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with an orange twist! 

    A brown cocktail with an orange twist on a wooden table.

    The Toronto Cocktail 

    This cocktail is so good!  It makes a great after dinner drink and we love sipping one while watching tv.  It's kind of similar to a Manhattan with Fernet-Branca and simple syrup taking the place of the sweet vermouth. 

    If you're looking for an even easier Fernet-Branca cocktail, be sure and try a Fernet and Coke!  The bitterness of the Fernet is perfect with the sweetness of the Coke! 

    More Whiskey Cocktails

    This Blackberry Whiskey Sour is a fun fruity cocktail.

    Turn a Manhattan into a gorgeous colored Cranberry Manhattan! 

    Like it spicy?  Then you'll love this Mango Habanero Whiskey Sour! 

    The Vieux Carré Cocktail is a classic New Orleans cocktail that uses rye whiskey and cognac! 

    If you make this I would love it if you would follow me and tag me on Pinterest | Instagram | Facebook

    Toronto cocktail in a coupe glass.
    Print Pin Save Saved!
    5 from 41 votes

    Toronto Cocktail

    This rich whiskey cocktail features Frenet-Branca for a complex, sweet and bitter, perfectly balanced cocktail.
    Course Drinks
    Cuisine American
    Prep Time 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time 5 minutes minutes
    Servings 1
    Calories 186kcal

    Ingredients

    • 2 ounces rye whiskey
    • ¼ ounce Fernet-Branca
    • ¼ ounce simple syrup
    • ¼ teaspoon Angostura Bitters (2 dashes)
    • orange twist for garnish

    Instructions

    • Fill a mixing glass half full with ice.
    • Pour in the rye whiskey, Fernet-Branca, simple syrup and Angostura Bitters.
    • Stir for 30-45 seconds.
    • Strain into a coupe glass and garnish with an orange twist.

    Notes

    Whiskey - traditionally would use a Canadian whiskey, but you can experiment and see which whiskey you prefer. 
    Simple Syrup - equal parts water and sugar heated in a saucepan.  Stir until sugar dissolves and then cool.  Will keep for about a month in the fridge in an airtight container. 

    Video

    Nutrition

    Calories: 186kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Sodium: 4mg | Sugar: 5g | Iron: 1mg

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      How to Make a Classic Old Fashioned
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      How to Make a Japanese Highball
    • Photo collage of blackberry cocktails.
      9 Blackberry Cocktails that are Bursting with Flavor!

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Cory says

      November 12, 2022 at 12:44 pm

      What is the name of the glass you used? I love it, but I can't find anything like it anywhere!

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        November 14, 2022 at 9:30 am

        It's a coupe. I found it at a garage sale so I don't know how hold it is, but I'm guessing 40's or 50's.

        Reply
    2. Toni says

      November 06, 2021 at 3:21 pm

      5 stars
      This is such an amazing cocktail! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

      Reply
    3. Jessica says

      November 05, 2021 at 7:23 pm

      5 stars
      I had this at a friend's house and it was so good I had to search for the recipe so I could make it myself. Thanks so much!

      Reply
    4. Audrey says

      November 05, 2021 at 11:55 am

      5 stars
      This was such a delicious cocktail!

      Reply
    5. Kayla DiMaggio says

      November 05, 2021 at 11:06 am

      5 stars
      We are always looking for good cocktails and this one was great!

      Reply
    6. Marlynn | Urban Bliss Life says

      November 18, 2019 at 1:03 pm

      5 stars
      This is such a gorgeous, sexy cocktail! I have ordered cocktails with Fernet-Branca in them at restaurants but have never used it in cocktails at home. This is inspiring, and perfect for the holidays!

      Reply
    7. Heidy L. McCallum says

      November 18, 2019 at 12:48 pm

      5 stars
      Awesome Holiday cocktail and let me tell you we all enjoyed the smooth taste of it. I will definitely be making this again and soon!!

      Reply
    8. Alison says

      November 18, 2019 at 12:44 pm

      5 stars
      Great information about this type of liqueur I had never hear of before. This sounds like a wonderful cocktail to finish the evening.

      Reply
    9. Rebecca says

      November 18, 2019 at 12:22 pm

      5 stars
      this drink looks great! definitely want to try it

      Reply
    10. Irina says

      November 18, 2019 at 11:54 am

      5 stars
      This cocktail is a great idea for upcoming holiday season. I just need to enhance my collections of liquors:)

      Reply
      • Pam Greer says

        November 18, 2019 at 11:56 am

        Once you start "enhancing" be prepared to expand your liqueur cabinet 🙂

        Reply
    5 from 41 votes (32 ratings without comment)

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    Pam Greer from Sidewalk Shoes

    Hi, I'm Pam. I'm the person who plans whole vacations around where to eat and drink. Beautiful scenery is optional.

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