Amaro and Fernet

[Sparkly]

Hi C&B-ers!

So I discovered I like things that are bitter (not people, but tastes). I like the bitter taste in extremely dark chocolate, "hair-curling" coffee, and pale ales.

We discovered just plain "bitters," which are nice, as far as they go. Then this liqueur was recommended:


Loved it -- nice and bitter, interestingly herbal, but it's still a pretty sweet liquer. A little research into something less sweet, but still bitter, brought up "Fernet." I found a bottle of this:


It is definitely big on the bitter, but with a strong peppermint flavor I'd rather do without. (Stinky hates it. These things are generally an acquired taste, and I recommend putting them on the tongue a half teaspoon at a time -- teeny tiny sips. The flavor is huge. We actually tried mixing a little with ginger ale, and that was really terrible.)

Before I splurge on another experiment, I wondered if anybody here has tried Amaro or Fernet or similar bitter liqueurs?

[The empressof all]

1. I love a good Negroni

As long as it's made with an excellent gin a Negroni is probably my favorite cocktail. Campari is the bitters and I love it mixed with soda or even in a sparkling or flat wine. I'm not familiar with the ones you have tried but I agree with you about a strong peppermint flavor. Mint belongs in Julips, Mojitos, or Breathmints.

[Sparkly]

2. I had to look that up.

Campari and soda was my Mom's favorite drink! (She sometimes had bitters on airplanes for sickness, and at some point they weren't available and she was offered Campari... I think that was the story.) I've only had it with orange juice, and that was decades ago.

[Lucinda]

3. They both sound interesting. And I love dark chocolate with mint, so

I wonder how the Fernet would work in a dark choc truffle....?