Fernet is Gross
 

Discuss. You already know what I think.

It's the bartender shot of kings. You know someone really likes their alcohol if they can shoot a Fernet.

Had to look that one up.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernet

The experience of drinking fernet has been described as:

“ The easiest way to explain the taste is to imagine Jägermeister without the sugar. You shoot it, immediately getting a strong hit of mouthwash - drying the mouth out, stinging the tongue. Its kind of like getting hit in the nose. Your brain hurts, your eyes sting and water, you cough a bit. Then, as soon as it begins a warm wave of relief washes over and you are left baptized in Italian herbals and golf ball eyed awake."

No thanks.

Best regards,

William R. Sanders
Social Media Specialist
Starwood Hotels & Resorts Worldwide

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No, it means someone really likes their Fernet.

did someone say Jägermeister?

I remember Bill Cosby had a whole routine about how bad it was.

Lots of quinine, in Italy the traditional restorative for many, essentially a "hard" Cinzano, kin to the "Bitters" shots seen in Germany.

Of course, the real question is why anyone would (a) drink jagermeister at all, much less "seconds".....

Years ago, I became President of a non-profit and my friend and former President took me to dinner at an Italian restaurant. After dinner, he ordered two Fernets (one each). The waiter took a step back, looked at him differently and was clearly impressed. That made me impressed too - at least until I tasted it. Worst thing ever.

He told me it was actually a digestif - meant to help you digest your meal. Maybe it works by making you throw up everything you just ate!

Mmm... Fernet. I'm salivating now.

I guess from custom as I first started drinking these kinds of bitters in South Eastern Spain, Cynar was always more popular in the Alicante bars so my taste leans more to this drink.
Drunk neat as an aperitif, drunk with water or soda as a digestif.
I was quite shocked when I eventually realised that Cynar was Italian and not Spanish.

Eastbay1K - is Cynar gross too?

It's as disgusting as Becherovka.

After an unfortunate series of events on my 19th birthday, just the smell of Jägermeister now makes me nauseous.

A hangover cure favoured by some friends in the UK (I usually favour Alka Seltzer!) - I suspect a little 'hair of the dog' theory, a little 'it'll make you throw up so you feel better' theory, and a little 'medicine is supposed to taste bad' theory. I don't mind it, but then I also like Campari! Frankly, as long as it doesn't have a raw egg in, I can cope!

Taking into account I look neither young, nor trendy, I was in a bar earlier this year, where I used to go frequently. It is slowly morphing into a tequila bar, and I told the bartender that a friend would be interested, as he likes tequila, but his preference is actually strong small cask bourbon ~60%) He then pulled a bottle of ~60% tequila out and asked if I wanted a shot, but that it was expensive, (I forget how much tho) I declined, not because of cost (which I assume was his thought) but because I really don't like tequila (tequila is my can't smell without feeling rough drink due to past imbibing!) so he said 'if you can shoot it without making a face, it is on the house'. Now one thing about me, I am reluctant to step away from a bet (well, one that isn't going to involve police or hospital) so I did it, and with amazing self control, didn't flinch! It was REALLY strong, and made me want to hurl! It was worse than Fernet by a million miles, so whilst I don't think I have ever shot Fernet (normally mixed with tonic or soda, rather grossly with flat leftover open cans of mixers still on the table / side from the night before!) I think I could!

There are literally thousands of amaros in Italy (as many as there are moonshiners, i reckon). Fernet is one of my faves, but mostly because it is widely available in the USA, and not too sweet (some of them, like Averna, have a molasses-like consistency, still good, but no more than one).

I guess Cynar would be my fave (it's a bottle with an artichoke on the label), as well as Amaro Montenegro, which I used to drink as a kid. For some reason.

duplicate

I love cynar. I know what I am having tonight for an aperitif.