Skip advertisement Advertisement

Fernandito

Difford’s Guide
Discerning Drinkers (97)
Fernandito image
Measurements in:
Serves:
1
Ingredients
1 1⁄2 fl oz Fernet Branca liqueur
3 1⁄2 fl oz Cola

Read about cocktail measures and measuring

Difford’s Guide remains free-to-use thanks to the support of the brands in green above.

How to make

Glass

Photographed in a Modern America Double Old Fashioned

Prepare

  1. Select and pre-chill a DOUBLE OLD-FASHIONED GLASS.
  2. Prepare garnish of lime wedge.

Method

  1. POUR all ingredients into ice-filled glass.
  2. Briefly STIR.

Garnish

  1. Garnish with lime wedge.

Flavour Profile

No alcohol
Medium
Boozy
Sweet
Medium
Dry/sour
More cocktails with similar strength and taste profile

Health & Nutrition

Nutrition:

One serving of Fernandito contains 141 calories

Alcohol content:

  • 1 standard drinks
  • 9.21% alc./vol. (18.43° proof)
  • 13.8 grams of pure alcohol

Values stated for alcohol and calorie content, and number of drinks an ingredient makes should be considered approximate.

History

Very popular in Argentina where the combination of fernet & Coke is as much a staple as the G&T is in England. The drink is most identified with the Argentinian province of Córdoba, where legend has it that a bartender by the name of Oscar "el Negro" Becerra mixed and served the Fernandito in the 1970s, although others say it dates from the 1950s.

Realising the Fernandito's growing popularity, in the 1990s, Fratelli Branca and the Coca-Cola Company launched a joint national advertising campaign in Argentina to help drive the drink's popularity.

AKA: Fernet con coca, Fernuco, Fernacho, Ferloncho, Fercola, Fefi, Fernando

Variations/similar cocktails

Fernet con Coca

Difford’s Shop logo
$2.50 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 8 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

Gallery

Comments & Discussion

Max Langer
Are the proportions enough to merit a separate recipe, or is this a double of Fernet con Coca? Surprisingly delicious by the way.
score: 1
Simon Difford Verified User Premium Member
So good we named it twice! I've added links between the two.
score: 3
Matt Premium Member
I really like this - I generally like the impact that Fernet brings to a cocktail. In this case, the Fernet still dominates (even though I use a 4:1 ratio) - but I really like how the cola dilutes the Fernet enabling you to taste some of the flavor notes a bit better. The strength of the Fernet still encourages you to sip slowly and gradually savor the cocktail - a nice drink to nurse.
score: 1
Asher Günther
With how much I've heard this drink raved about I was pretty disappointed. Eyeballed the coke but ended up adding a bunch more, maybe 4 or 5 parts to 1 part Fernet. Ended up adding some Angostura and a healthy squirt of saline which improved it a little but still... bleh
score: 2
Boris Jümmers
I was really pleasantly suprised by this. Think of it as a herbal, minty, not too sweet coke with a little oomph. Liked it a lot.

More than any other Cola + X drinks.
score: 3
Hunter Newsome
A very comforting drink, in the same way as a Caipirinha or Hot Toddy. A simple panacea and essential piece of regional culture.
score: 2
lindee horman
Recently visited Argentina, tried the Fernandito, absolutely delicious and this is from a non Coca-cola drinker
score: 3

View 6 comments and discussion

See more...

After dinner/digestif Cocktails

After dinner/digestif Cocktails image

After dinner or digestif cocktails, or digestive cocktails, often contain bittersweet liqueurs.

View more

Aperitivo/aperitif Cocktails

Aperitivo/aperitif Cocktails image

Palate-cleansing, pre-dinner cocktails, often bittersweet and moderately alcoholic.

View more

Floral (e.g. Elderflower spritz) Cocktails

Floral (e.g. Elderflower spritz) Cocktails image

Liqueurs with floral flavours such as camomile, elderflower, rose and violet.

View more

Herbal Cocktails

Herbal Cocktails image

Cocktails made with fresh herbs or herbals liqueurs.

View more

Long drinks & highballs Cocktails

Long drinks & highballs Cocktails image

Long, tall cocktails, served in an ice-filled Collins or Highball glass.

View more
Difford’s Shop logo
$2.50 per cocktail*

Makes a minimum of 8 cocktails.
Shipping and applicable tax calculated at checkout.


Orders are processed by a licensed Fulproof retailer. The buy now button is added simply for convenience.

Checkout

* May not include all ingredients. Price per cocktail is an estimate based on cost of one cocktail with ingredients shown above and does not include shipping.

Visit Difford’s Shop USA

Beach House

Beach House Image

Reminiscent of a Naked & Famous turned tropical.

View more

Borough

Borough Image

A Manhattan variation created to help promote US-made Dubonnet Rouge, but is best made with French Dubonnet Red, or indeed another red quinquina.

View more

Roman Punch

Roman Punch Image

This recipe (by yours truly in August 2026) combines elements from various vintage Roman Punch recipes to produce a cooling fruity sour laced with...

View more

The Aftermath

The Aftermath Image

Most bartenders would stir this cocktail, as per Robin's original recipe. However, when shaken, this cocktail develops an attractive foamy head and a...

View more

Difford's House

Difford's House Image

My old tom gin version of the classic Holland House, mostly leaning on the recipe in Harry Craddock's 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book.

View more

Tango (by Mattia Capezzuoli)

Tango (by Mattia Capezzuoli) Image

A Cleansing riff on a Paloma with subtle bittersweetness.

View more