Brancamenta Highball
The Brancamenta Highball is a modern Italian classic that showcases the unique character of Brancamenta, a mint-flavored amaro from the makers of Fernet-Branca. It's an incredibly simple yet satisfying drink, combining the complex, bitter, and minty spirit with the familiar sweetness and spice of cola. The result is a perfectly balanced, effervescent, and cooling long drink that is both easy to make and surprisingly complex in flavor. It serves as a fantastic introduction to the world of Italian amari.
Preparation
Preparation time: 2 minutes
Preparation time
Difficulty
Drink Classification
The Brancamenta Highball is classified as a cocktail, specifically within the highball category. Highballs are characterized by a base spirit mixed with a larger proportion of a non-alcoholic mixer, served in a tall glass over ice. This drink fits the definition perfectly, making it a classic example of a modern highball cocktail.
Serving
Serve this cold, effervescent drink in a tall Highball or Collins glass filled with ice to keep it refreshing. Its alcohol content is relatively low, making it an easy-drinking session cocktail.
Serving size
Approximately 200-250 ml / 7-8.5 oz
Alcohol content
Approximately 8-10% ABV
Alcohol strength
Serving temperature
Cold
Glass type
Highball
Glass treatment
None
Backstory
While not having a storied history like older classics, the Brancamenta Highball emerged organically as a popular way to enjoy Brancamenta, particularly in its native Italy. The pairing of amaro with cola is a long-standing tradition (as seen in the Fernet con Coca), and this is the mint-forward evolution of that concept. It leverages the spirit's intense mint flavor, which was added to the original Fernet-Branca recipe in the 1960s, creating a drink that is both a nod to tradition and a thoroughly modern refresher.
Origin
Italy, likely emerging in the late 20th or early 21st century as a popular and simple bar call. It follows the Italian tradition of mixing local amari with common sodas.
Brancamenta Highball
This drink is most commonly known as a Brancamenta Highball or simply Brancamenta and Coke. The name Menta-Cola is also used, highlighting its core ingredients of mint amaro and cola. It's a straightforward and descriptive name for a simple, refreshing drink.
Original name
Brancamenta Highball
Alternative names
- Menta-Cola
- Brancamenta and Coke
Characteristics overview
This drink has a bold mint and herbal aroma, leading to a flavor that balances the sweetness of cola with the characteristic bitter-mint of the amaro. Its effervescent texture and long, cooling aftertaste make it an exceptionally refreshing summer cocktail.
Flavor
Minty, herbal, sweet, slightly bitter, cola spice, refreshing
Aroma
Strong peppermint, menthol, subtle cola sweetness, lime zest
Taste balance
Sweet, bitter, herbal
Aftertaste
Long, cooling, minty, clean, lingering herbal bitterness
Fizziness
Bubbly, effervescent
Color appearance
Dark brown, deep amber, clear
Texture
Light, crisp, watery
Seasonality
Refreshing, cooling, summery
Flavor intensity & Experience
The flavor profile is dominated by a balance of moderate sweetness from the cola and a distinct herbal bitterness and minty character from the Brancamenta. It is highly carbonated and has a relatively low alcohol strength.
Sweetness
Saltiness
Sourness
Bitterness
Spiciness
Fruitiness
Creaminess
Carbonation
Ingredients
This is a simple two-ingredient drink requiring only Brancamenta amaro and your favorite brand of cola. A fresh lime for garnish is highly recommended to complete the experience.
- Brancamenta60 ml / 2 ozA mint-flavored Italian bitter liqueur. Essential for this recipe.
- Cola120-150 ml / 4-5 oz, or to topUse a quality brand like Coca-Cola or an artisanal cola for best results. Should be well-chilled.
Ice type
- Cubed
Mixing equipments
No special equipment is needed beyond a glass and perhaps a bar spoon to gently mix the ingredients. This is a drink built directly in the serving glass.
- Bar spoon for gentle stirring
Instructions
This is a 'built' cocktail, meaning you simply fill a highball glass with ice, add the Brancamenta, and top with cola. Finish with a gentle stir and a lime wedge garnish for a perfect serve in minutes.
1. Fill a highball glass to the top with cubed ice.
2. Pour 60 ml (2 oz) of Brancamenta over the ice.
3. Slowly top with chilled cola, pouring it down the side of the glass to preserve carbonation.
4. Gently stir once with a bar spoon to integrate the ingredients without losing fizz.
5. Garnish by squeezing a lime wedge over the drink and dropping it in. Add a mint sprig if desired.
Garnishing
A squeezed lime wedge is the classic garnish, as its acidity brightens the drink and cuts through the sweetness. A fresh mint sprig can also be added to enhance the minty aroma.
- Lime wedge, squeezed and dropped in
- Mint sprig, as an optional aromatic garnish
Dietary Information
This cocktail is generally vegan and free from common allergens like dairy, eggs, nuts, and gluten. However, it is not caffeine-free due to the presence of cola.
✓ Contains alcohol
✕ Caffeine-free
✓ Dairy-free
✓ Egg-free
✓ Soy-free
✓ Nut-free
✓ Gluten-free
✓ Vegan-friendly
✓ Vegetarian-friendly
Nutrition information
The drink's calorie and sugar content comes primarily from the cola and the sugar in the amaro. It is moderately caloric for a cocktail, with around 20-25 grams of sugar per serving.
Calories
Averagely 180-220 kcal / 753-920 kJ
Calories level
Carbohydrates
Averagely 20-25 g
Carbohydrate level
Sugar
Averagely 20-25 g
Sugar level
Occasions
This is a versatile drink perfect for warm weather and casual social settings. Enjoy it on a sunny patio, as a simple aperitivo to stimulate the appetite, or as a cooling digestif after a meal.
- Summer afternoon
- Casual get-together
- Aperitivo hour
- After-dinner drink
Pairing suggestions
The bittersweet and minty profile of this highball pairs well with salty and fatty foods, which cut through its sweetness. The herbal notes also complement the richness of dark chocolate beautifully, making it a versatile drink for snacking.
- Salty snacks like potato chips or pretzels
- Rich, dark chocolate
- Grilled sausages
- Spicy cured meats
The Brancamenta Highball: Effortless Italian Refreshment
The Brancamenta Highball is the epitome of effortless Italian style in a glass. It's a simple, two-ingredient highball that offers a surprisingly complex and deeply refreshing experience. The bracing mint and herbal bitterness of the Brancamenta are perfectly tempered by the familiar sweetness and fizz of cola. Ideal for any casual occasion, especially in warm weather, it's a fantastic digestif, aperitif, or simply a delicious thirst-quencher for those who appreciate a bittersweet flavor profile.
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