Skip to main content

How to make a Fernet and Coke, a cocktail fit for the World Cup

By Mark Stock Published July 17, 2026 11:03 AM

Amaro — istock/NicolasMcComber

World Cup 2026 ends with a bang this weekend with two heavyweights meeting in the final. Argentina will face Spain to see who is the top squad on planet earth. If Argentina pulls it off, it’ll be the first back-to-back champion scenario since Brazil in 1962.

That calls for a great cocktail recipe. With Argentina on the brain, we’re doing as they do. The South American country loves some Fernet, so we’re highlighting a simple but satisfying drink made with the iconic Italian amaro.

Recommended Videos

The bitter, herbal nature of the liqueur plays off of Cola perfectly. So, why ruin a good thing with additional ingredients? Keep it simple and Argentinian. But first, a bit about how the drink fits into the way of life in Argentina.

“It’s amazing to see how Argentina has embraced Fernet-Branca and made it such an important part of their culture, especially during moments of celebration like the World Cup,” says Edoardo Branca of family-run Fernet-Branca. “A big part of the global Fernet-Branca production is consumed there, but the most beautiful part is the ritual Argentinians have created around the Fernet and Coke cocktail, which they enjoy during football matches, at family gatherings, and at celebrations big and small. Argentina has taken something with Italian roots and made it uniquely their own, and that connection between our brand and the people of Argentina is something our family is incredibly proud of.”

Fernet con Cokas

Essentially a two-ingredient cocktail, this one is all about minimalism in inputs and maximalism in flavor.

Ingredients:

2 ounces Fernet-Branca
5 ounces Coca-Cola
Foam for flair

Method:

Pour Fernet in glass with ice.
Top with Coke and add foam.

Contributor

Mark Stock is a writer from Portland, Oregon. He fell into wine during the Recession and has been fixated on the stuff since…

Food & Drink

The smoothest bourbons for fans new to the whiskey style

Let's take a deep dive into "smooth" bourbons

Buffalo Trace

In some whiskey circles, the word “smooth” is considered to be a bad term to describe bourbon. That’s because it’s thought to be a little too vague and doesn’t really describe the spirit at all. Obviously, its simplicity doesn’t do the whiskey style justice.

But if you ask me, there’s no better, simpler way to describe America’s “native spirit” if you’re a beginner. There are a variety of reasons why bourbon is referred to as “smooth,” and I’m not here to shame drinkers if they want to use the phrase. Especially novice drinkers who are just learning the terminology. That said, if you’re new to whiskey, there are countless smooth, gateway bourbons perfectly crafted to get you started on your corn-based journey.

Food & Drink

These new Maker’s Mark city bottles are worth a layover

Maker's Mark's new limited-edition bottles celebrate eleven cities around the world — but they're sold only in airports.

Alcohol, Beverage, Liquor

Pretty much everyone can spot a Maker's Mark bottle across the bar. The squat shape, the red wax bleeding down the neck — you don't need to read the label.

That's why it's actually worth checking out their Artist Series, where the City Edition puts artist Alexandra Pacula's work on eleven bottles for a slew of cities: New York, Los Angeles, Paris, London, Dubai, Delhi, Mumbai, Singapore, Seoul, Sydney, and Melbourne. Seem cool? There's a catch — it's airports only.

Food & Drink

Nikka brings back a beloved 10-year single malt for the first time in a decade

Miyagikyo Single Malt 10 Years Old is the first age-statement release from the distillery since Japanese whisky's aged-stock crunch hit in 2015.

Whisky, bottle, label

Nikka Whisky is one of the most exciting names in Japanese whisky, so when they make a big announcement, it's almost always worth taking an interest. That's especially the case with the release of Miyagikyo Single Malt 10 Years Old, the flagship expression from its Miyagikyo Distillery — the fruit-forward, mountain-set second distillery Nikka built near Sendai, Japan, in 1969.

This release is the first age-statement Miyagikyo since 2015, and it follows the 2022 return of Yoichi Single Malt 10 Years Old, its coastal sibling. Bottled at 45% ABV, the 700ml release has a $174.99 price tag, so it's not exactly an impulse purchase — and with just 1,572 bottles available nationwide, tracking down a pour may be tough in the first place.