How Fernet Became Argentina's Unofficial National Drink

https://www.ihadnoclue.com/article/982249601244233729

Fernet, an Italian bitter liqueur created in 1845 by Bernardino Branca, transformed remarkably into Argentina's unofficial national drink. This journey began with Italian immigrants bringing the amaro to Argentina in the late 19th century, initially valuing it for both consumption and medicinal properties. The true cultural shift occurred in the 1980s when youth in Córdoba province started mixing Fernet with Coca-Cola, creating "Fernet con Coca," which quickly spread throughout the country. This drink transcends age and social boundaries today, serving as a unifying element in Argentine society. This evolution represents more than just a beverage preference—it symbolizes Argentina's capacity to adopt and adapt foreign traditions, transforming an Italian digestive aid into a distinctive marker of Argentine national identity and cultural innovation.