Orange Italian Mule – Fernet Branca Cocktail

Looking for a new Fernet Braca cocktail? Try this Orange Italian Mule – an easy cocktail with an herbal variation on the moscow mule! 

Not long ago, I got the idea in my head that I was going to make my own bitters for cocktails. I couldn’t tell you why – I do enjoy an old fashioned here and there but that’s about it.

I have my trusty bottle of store-bought bitters and I am usually good to go from there. Me and my crazy ideas.

I have a collection of weird herbs and barks that are sitting in my office, waiting for me to find the time to start my bitters creating. In the meantime, I’m going to get my herbal drink kick from Fernet Braca.

National Herbs and Spices Day

I’ve heard it said that there is a food holiday for everything and that isn’t an exaggeration. June 10th is National Herbs and Spices Day and what better way to celebrate than with a Fernet Braca cocktail.

I love cocktail challenges so when I was asked to create a drink to celebrate Herbs and Spices Day using Fernet Braca, I said, “Sure!” Fernet-Branca sources more than 40 herbs and spices from 4 continents to create its iconic liqueur and is the perfect way to celebrate.

Some of my favorite herbal flavors in Fernet Braca include chamomile, peppermint and gentian root.

Chamomile has a calming effect and is used to help with insomnia and restlessness. Peppermint is useful in treating nausea, heartburn, headaches and the common cold. Gentian root you may not have heard of but I have a lot of it sitting in my office – its how I will be adding the bitter flavor to my homemade bitters.

Gentian improves digestion and invigorates the appetite. Nature really works its wonders, doesn’t it?

Orange Italian Mule – Fernet Braca Cocktail

When creating my cocktail, I had a lot of flavors to consider when adding ingredients to my rocks glass. There is no mistaking Fernet Braca is an herbal liqueur upon opening the bottle. I could see many flavors clashing with its headiness.

Orange was the first flavor I decided on. My aforementioned bitters are orange and it is a flavor that works well with all things herbal and bitter. It is also in the citrus family and can replace the lime in the moscow mule easily.

Ginger also will work well with Fernet Braca and has its own health properties. The moscow mule’s main ingredient is ginger beer. Why not use a classic Italian liqueur to create an Italian version of one of the most popular drinks?

Disclaimer: I received a Fernet Branca sample. Recipe and opinions are my own.

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