A brown-orange cocktail in a martini glass with a twisted orangel peel garnish

Toronto
Cocktail Recipe

Bitter
Sweet
Herbal

The Toronto is a quietly confident classic, combining rye whiskey with Fernet-Branca, sugar and bitters for a bold, bittersweet cocktail. First appearing in a 1922 cocktail book, its distinctive character has helped it stand the test of time. With its balance of spice, sweetness and herbal depth, it’s a cocktail that rewards those looking to explore whiskey with a more adventurous edge.

Ingredients

  • 50ml
  • Fernet-Branca
    10ml
  • Sugar syrup
    2 parts sugar dissolved over heat into 1 part water
    5ml
  • Dashes of Angostura bitters
    2
  • Orange peel
    1
  • Ice

Number of servings

01

Equipment

  • Martini glass
  • Mixing glass
  • Spoon
  • Cocktail strainer

Bartender tip: For an elevated finish, express a separate orange peel over the top of the drink before garnishing with a twisted one.

A person places a skewered orange peel and cherry onto the rim of a brown cocktail in a coupe glass
Method
STEP 01
Pour
Add the whiskey, Fernet-Branca, sugar syryup and bitters to a mixing glass filled with ice
STEP 02
Stir
Stir well for around 20-30 seconds until well chilled
STEP 03
Strain
Strain into a martini glass
STEP 04
Garnish
Garnish with a twisted orange peel

Herbal and sweet with a bitter bite, the Toronto is a simple classic that doesn't play it safe.

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