This month in the Threeway, we’re taking a look at three great ways to use the unique offerings from Italy’s Branca Distillery. It’s good timing, too: Nicola Olianas, the Branca Distillery’s global brand ambassador, will be in Australia this month for a host of masterclasses (see below for tour dates).
Of course, when bartenders hear of the Branca Distillery, their mind goes straight to the one and only Fernet-Branca.
A shot of Fernet-Branca has become something of a bartenders’ handshake over the years, a nod of acknowledgement between the on-duty bartender and their guest.
But it’s not just a shot — it’s so much more, says the Branca Distillery’s global brand ambassador, Nicola Olianas.
“Since 1892 and maybe before Fernet-Branca appeared in cocktail recipes,” he says. “Fernet-Branca is not just an ingredient but a complete product; it can be used in both ways — as a main ingredient in drinks, like with ginger beer or soda, or like an ingredient in drinks such as the Hanky Panky, Fanciulli Cocktail, or the Fernet Cocktail.”
[ultimate-recipe id=”45066″ template=”default”]But it’s not only Fernet-Branca they make at the Branca Distillery. It’s also home to great vermouths from Carpano, like Carpano Classico and Antica Formula.
“We have the first vermouth ever, the benchmark for vermouth in the category,” says Olianas. “Carpano is the king of vermouth, and the vermouth for kings.”
He says that in his travels around the world, he’s noticed that bartenders are working with — and enjoying — vermouth more than ever, drinking it neat with ice, with an orange zest or some lemon, with soda; they’re also making more and more low ABV drinks with vermouth, and enjoying it with coffee.
[ultimate-recipe id=”45072″ template=”default”]“Vermouth is a choice, it belongs to the bar and cocktail program,” Olianas says. “Vermouth is the atmosphere of your drink, it is the way you welcome your customers.”
Here we present three cocktails using three great drinks from the Branca distillery. Fernet-Branca, which as you may know, employs saffron, myrrh, gentian and a host of other herbs and spices in the mix. It is aged for at least a year in oak barrels, and has a character which is intense, penetrating, balanced and rich.
[ultimate-recipe id=”45080″ template=”default”]We’ve also made a Vermouth Cocktail 2.0 with Carpano Classico, a vermouth based on the original vermouth recipe created by Antonio Benedetto Carpano, and the Antica Style Tea with Antica Formula, a rich Rosso vermouth with prominent notes of vanilla and spicy, citrusy characters.
Take a look at the dates for Nicola’s tour around Australia below.
JUST ANNOUNCED: New dates for Adelaide below
Adelaide
GUEST BAR SHIFT
Venue: Hains & Co
Address: 23 Gilbert Pl, Adelaide
Time: 8pm – 9pm
Date: Saturday 14th July 2018
No RSVP required
BARTENDERS BREAKFAST & MASTERCLASS
Venue: Cry Baby
Address: 11 Solomon St, Adelaide
Time: 1pm
Date: Sunday 15th July 2018
RSVP: n.reid@thinkspirits.com
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/361968654328971/
Sydney
MASTERCLASS
Venue: Zeta Bar
Address: 488 George St, Level 4, Sydney NSW
Time: 2pm
Date: Tuesday 10th July 2018
RSVP: p.rosser@thinkspirits.com
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/227688864506513/
TRADE PARTY
AFTERPARTY: A night to Fernet!
Venue: Burrow Bar
Address: 5010 De Mestre Place, Sydney NSW
Time: 6pm till LATE
Date: Tuesday 10th July 2018
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/2257194907841620/
Brisbane
MASTERCLASS
Venue: Cobbler
Address: 7 Browning St, West End QLD
Time: 12:30pm
Date: Thursday 12th July 2018
RSVP a.greig@thinkspirits.com
Gold Coast
MASTERCLASS
Venue: The Scottish Prince
Address: Shop 27/1176 Gold Coast Hwy, Palm Beach QLD
Time: 12noon
Date: Friday 13th July 2018
RSVP: a.greig@thinkspirits.com
Melbourne
MASTERCLASS
Venue: Black Pearl
Address: 304 Brunswick St, Fitzroy VIC
Time: 3:30pm
Date: Monday 16th July 2018
RSVP: k.ryan@thinkspirits.com
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1007333329416021/
MASTERCLASS
Venue: Loch and Key
Address: 34 Franklin St, Melbourne VIC
Time: 2pm
Date: Tuesday 17th July 2018
RSVP: e.andersen@thinkspirits.com
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/204429833542738/
MASTERCLASS
Venue: The Palm Royale
Address: 438 Church St, Richmond VIC
Time: 5pm
Date: Tuesday 17th July 2018
RSVP: k.ryan@thinkspirits.com
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1003503266478975/
Perth
MASTERCLASS
Venue: The Moon
Address: 323 William St, Perth
Time: 2pm
Date: Wednesday 18th July 2018
RSVP: s.delfosse@thinkspirits.com
Event Page: https://www.facebook.com/events/1816456741781638/