Old Timber (Rye Cocktail With Fernet) Recipe

By
Maggie Hoffman
Maggie Hoffman is a contributing writer at Serious Eats.
Maggie Hoffman
Maggie Hoffman is a writer and editor focusing on cocktails and food. She was the managing editor for Serious Eats until 2016 and is the digital director for Epicurious.
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Updated Dec. 04, 2018
20160901-old-timber-cocktail-vicky-wasik-2.jpg
Photograph: Vicky Wasik

Why It Works

  • Using alternative brands of fernet plays down the intensely minty, medicinal profile this cocktail would otherwise have.

If you like Old Fashioneds, you'll enjoy this simple stirred cocktail, created by Gabe Cothes of San Francisco's Salt House. It's deeply woodsy, with added depth and aroma from fernet, an Italian amaro, and orangey triple sec.

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Recipe Facts

4.5

(2)

Active: 2 mins
Total: 2 mins
Makes: 1 drink

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Ingredients

  • 1 1/2 ounces (45ml) rye whiskey (such as Bulleit)
  • 1/4 ounce (7ml) Jelínek Czech-style fernet, Fernet Leopold, or Fernet Francisco (see note)
  • 1/4 ounce (7ml) triple sec, such as Combier or Cointreau
  • Cinnamon stick and orange twist, for garnish

Directions

  1. Add rye, fernet, and triple sec to a mixing glass and fill with ice. Stir until well chilled, about 30 seconds. Add a large ice cube to a rocks glass and strain cocktail into glass. Garnish with cinnamon stick, express orange oils onto drink, and add twist to glass.

Special equipment

Mixing glass and cocktail strainer

Notes

Be careful with your fernet: This drink comes out medicinal and menthol-heavy when made with the popular Fernet-Branca. Instead, use cinnamon-y Jelínek Czech-style fernet, minty Fernet Leopold, or super-dry Fernet Francisco.

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