Toronto Cocktail

In the cocktail world, there are some bottles whose reputation precedes them. Before ever trying a sip, you will be warned that this is an “acquired taste.” It’s as if a taste for the polarizing spirit will initiate you into some secret cocktail club (people love their secret cocktail clubs). I advise you to ignore the mystique and simply try the bottle for yourself. 

One such bottle is Fernet Branca, a polarizing spirit that is beloved by serious bartenders. It’s featured in the Toronto, a pre or post-dinner drink for any time of year that is minty, herbaceous, and along the lines of a Manhattan or Old Fashioned.

What Is Fernet?

Fernet Branca is a brand of fernet which is a subset of the amaro category. Fernet was initially touted for medicinal purposes, which allowed it to be distributed in America during prohibition, and it was marketed to consumers as curing all sorts of ailments. 

The bottle best known today was created by the Milanese distillery Fratelli Branca and that’s what you’ll likely find at the liquor store or local bar. However, now you can now find other brands offering their own unique riff on the Italian staple. 

And the taste? You could argue that the medicinal myth rings true—fernet does strongly remind one of a bittersweet, minty cough syrup. But it ultimately defies such a simple description. Aside from the predominant minty flavor, it is syrupy and similar to an unsweetened amaro. It also features bitter gentian flavoring and has strong herbal qualities.

History of the Toronto Cocktail

The first incarnation of what we now call the Toronto appeared in print in 1922 as the “Fernet Cocktail” in the book “Cocktails: How to Mix Them,” and later as the “Toronto” in 1948’s “The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks” as well as subsequent books. 

What’s unclear is whether the cocktail has any real ties to Canada. The 1922 recipe does mention that people from Toronto like to drink it, but beyond that, the drink’s link to the city (if any) appears to be lost in time. 

It’s not surprising that, with fernet’s assertive nature, the cocktail fell out of popularity as the sugary-sweet cocktail movement of the late ‘60s and ‘70s took hold. But fast forward to the cocktail renaissance of the early aughts and the Toronto, alongside many a forgotten cocktail, came back into fashion. 

A Canadian Take on the Toronto Cocktail

While many printed recipes streamline the drink to include simply rye, in this recipe I make the Toronto as Canadian as possible with Canadian rye. It’s a smooth, mild rye with a less spicy finish. Try Pendleton, a blended, Canadian-style whisky. 

Instead of sugar or simple syrup, I use the real stuff, maple syrup. Canadian rye and maple syrup both take the fernet’s bitterness down a few notches, smoothing out the drink. The maple syrup adds a richness and delightful mouthfeel to the drink that you just can’t get with regular simple syrup.

Served up in a coupe, a small strip of orange zest will add a hint of aromatics. The Toronto cocktail is a rich, super flavorful initiation into the world of fernet.

Measuring Cocktail Ingredients

As a seasoned cocktail creator, I have a drawer full of jiggers in every fraction alongside droppers and spoons and all manner of measurement. However, I don’t expect you to have all this on hand. 

Here are a few handy conversions using measuring spoons and cups without having to invest in a dedicated assortment of bar tools: 

• 1/4 ounce is equal to 1 1/2 teaspoons
• 1/2 ounce is equal to 1 tablespoon
• 2 ounces is equal to 1/4 cup