Mangrove Global, leading UK distributor of premium spirits, has announced the addition of Fratelli Branca portfolio to its roster. The range represents some of the most celebrated, heritage-led names in the bitters, amaro, vermouth, and coffee liquor categories – each a high-quality liquid in its own right.
Founded in Milan in 1845, Fratelli Branca has spent nearly two centuries crafting spirits of extraordinary depth and character. Built on a bedrock of heritage and craft, the family company has grown to become a global authority in this sector. Across each expression, the hallmarks are consistent – meticulous production and unchanged formulas give way to exceptional liquids that are as beloved by consumers as they are by the on-trade.
“The shift to bitter flavour profiles amongst UK consumers is a really interesting development but also represents an excellent opportunity for the Bitters category,” said Nick Gillett, Managing Director, Mangrove Global. “The depth and complexity of flavour that these liquids offer the on-trade is exceptional, and this is especially true of the Fratelli Branca range.
“Nothing excites us quite like heritage-led, well-crafted spirits that set a high standard, and that is exactly what Fratelli Branca offers. With the incredible support of its previous distributor, Sazerac, it has built a stellar reputation and cult-following – and we look forward to building on that for the brand’s continued success.”
The range represented by Mangrove will include the following spirits:
Fernet-Branca is a bitter that’s much loved in the UK as the backbone of the Hanky Panky cocktail. Dark in colour and built on a secret blend of 27 herbs, spices and roots, it delivers a flavour profile that is versatile unique and bold in character. It can be drunk neat, on the rocks or as a long cocktail with Coke or Lemonade.
Brancamenta offers a lighter counterpart - complexity tempered with high-quality Piedmont peppermint, making it a natural fit for both longer serves and a versatile cocktail component and is best always served ice cold. Try mixing Brancamenta with tonic, over ice, mint leaves, and a tablespoon of white cane sugar for a refreshing serve.
Carpano, represented in four SKUs, created the Vermouth category and was the first vermouth to ever be made commercially available. A name that resonates deeply with bartenders and aficionados, it’s a balanced and smooth liquid of exceptional quality. The range spans styles from dry to rich and complex, offering the on-trade an unrivalled breadth of vermouth expression.
With four SKUs – Carpano Rosso, Carpano Bianco, Carpano Dry and Carpano Botanic Bitter – they can be served as the basis for many classic cocktails such as a Negroni, Americano, Dry Martini or a Garibaldi.
Antica Formula is a sophisticated vermouth expression: a rich, amber liquid of exceptional depth, made to a historical recipe. With an original and imitable bouquet, it contains spicy, citrus, and nutty notes, raisins and cloves. Only natural ingredients are used in its production including selected white wines, top quality vanilla from the tropics, saffron from Iran’s uplands, and artemisia from the Piedmont Alps. It is most fully appreciated when enjoyed neat, on the rocks, or in classic cocktails like The Manhattan and Negroni.
Punt e Mes epitomises the bittersweet flavour profile, encapsulated in a classic, red vermouth. The story goes that in 1870, a stockbroker visited the Carpano shop and ordered a vermouth “corretto” (meaning mixed) with a half dose of cinchona, using the local expression “Punt e Mes”. The result – this delicious vermouth.
And finally, Caffè Borghetti, the Italian liqueur made with real Italian Espresso coffee, rounds out the range with bold, roasted espresso character. It is precisely the kind of product the modern UK cocktail bar (and an increasingly adventurous grocery shopper) has been looking for and is perfect for an Espresso Martini.