Toronto

Instructions

1. Chill your lowball glass by filling it with ice and letting it sit while you prepare the drink.

2. Combine the whisky, Fernet-Branca, simple syrup, and Angostura bitters in a mixing glass (or shaker base).

3. Fill the mixing glass with ice cubes.

4. Stir the mixture well for about 30 seconds until thoroughly chilled. Avoid shaking.

5. Discard the ice from the chilled lowball glass.

6. Strain the cocktail into the prepared lowball glass, preferably over a large, fresh ice cube.

7. Take the orange peel, twist it over the drink to express its oils, then drop it into the glass as garnish.

Trivia

• What is a Toronto cocktail?

  The Toronto cocktail is a classic alcoholic drink made primarily with Canadian whisky (often rye), Fernet-Branca, simple syrup or sugar, and Angostura bitters. It's known for its bold, bitter, and slightly sweet flavour profile, often served stirred and strained over ice in a lowball glass, garnished with an orange peel.

• What does a Toronto cocktail taste like?

  A Toronto cocktail offers a complex flavour profile. It leads with the spice and warmth of the rye whisky, followed by the distinctively bitter, mentholated, and herbal notes of Fernet-Branca. The simple syrup provides balance, preventing the bitterness from being overwhelming, while the Angostura bitters add aromatic complexity. The overall taste is robust, bitter-forward, and sophisticated.

• What is the origin of the Toronto cocktail?

  The exact origin is somewhat debated, but the Toronto cocktail is believed to have emerged in the early 20th century. It's often linked to a cocktail book from the era mentioning a similar drink named the 'Fernet Cocktail'. Its association with the city of Toronto likely solidified over time, possibly due to the popularity of Canadian whisky.

• What type of whisky is best for a Toronto cocktail?

  Traditionally, Canadian rye whisky is used in a Toronto cocktail. Rye whisky provides a spicy backbone that complements the bold flavours of Fernet-Branca. However, other robust whiskies like bourbon or a high-rye bourbon can also work, though they will slightly alter the cocktail's classic profile.

• What is Fernet-Branca?

  Fernet-Branca is a type of amaro, an Italian herbal liqueur known for its potent bitterness, complex herbal blend (including ingredients like myrrh, rhubarb, chamomile, cardamom, aloe, and saffron), and mentholated finish. It's a key ingredient that gives the Toronto cocktail its signature character.

• How is a Toronto cocktail different from an Old Fashioned?

  While both are whisky-based stirred cocktails, the key difference lies in the bittering agent. An Old Fashioned uses Angostura bitters (primarily) and sugar/syrup to modify the base spirit (whisky or bourbon). The Toronto cocktail uses Fernet-Branca as a significant flavour component alongside Angostura bitters and simple syrup, resulting in a much more pronounced bitter and herbal profile compared to the classic Old Fashioned.