Industry Sour

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What Is an Industry Sour?

The Industry Sour is a bold, modern cocktail made with equal parts Fernet-Branca and Green Chartreuse, balanced with fresh lime juice and simple syrup, shaken and served in a chilled coupe. It's intensely herbal, minty, bitter and tart, a drink that's beloved by bartenders and adventurous drinkers.

The name is a nod to the "industry," the bar and restaurant workers who have long been the biggest fans of both Fernet and Chartreuse. The Industry Sour combines these two bartender favorites into one surprisingly balanced drink.

A Brief History of the Industry Sour

Ted Kilgore in St. Louis

The Industry Sour was created in 2011 by Ted Kilgore at Taste by Niche in St. Louis, Missouri. According to Difford's Guide, Kilgore developed it for a fellow bartender visiting the bar. The original recipe used equal parts Fernet-Branca, Green Chartreuse, lime juice and simple syrup, a simple, memorable formula that quickly spread through the bartending community.

The Bartender's Handshake

Fernet-Branca has long been called the "bartender's handshake." In many cities, especially San Francisco, bartenders greet each other with a shot of Fernet as a sign of camaraderie. Chartreuse has a similar cult following among cocktail professionals. By combining the two, the Industry Sour became a sort of tribute to bar culture itself.

About the Key Ingredients

Fernet-Branca

Fernet-Branca is an Italian amaro created in Milan in 1845. It's made from a secret recipe of herbs and spices including myrrh, saffron, chamomile and gentian, and it's famously bitter, with strong notes of menthol, eucalyptus and licorice. Learn more on Wikipedia's Fernet-Branca page.

Green Chartreuse

Green Chartreuse is a French herbal liqueur made by Carthusian monks from 130 herbs and plants. It's sweet, strong and intensely herbal, with notes of mint, pine, anise and honey. Its sweetness helps balance Fernet's bitterness. Read more on Wikipedia's Chartreuse page.

Flavor Profile and What to Expect

The Industry Sour is big, bold and herbal. Fernet brings a bitter, menthol-heavy punch, while Green Chartreuse adds sweet, minty, herbal complexity. Together they create a powerful, cooling flavor with layers of mint, anise, pine and spice. The lime juice cuts through with bright acidity, and the simple syrup rounds everything out. The result is surprisingly refreshing, like an herbal, grown-up mint candy with a long, bitter finish. It's not for everyone, but those who love it really love it.

Tips for a Perfect Industry Sour

Adjust the Sweetness

The original equal-parts recipe is fairly sweet. Many modern versions use slightly less syrup, as Difford's Guide's current recipe does. Start with three-quarters of an ounce and adjust to taste. If you're making your own syrup, our guide on how to make simple syrup will help.

Add Egg White for Texture

Some bartenders add an egg white for a silky, foamy texture, which softens the drink's intensity. If you do, dry shake (shake without ice) first, then shake again with ice.

A Pinch of Salt

A few drops of saline solution or a tiny pinch of salt help brighten the flavors and soften the bitterness.

Popular Variations and Related Drinks

If you enjoy the Industry Sour, try other bold herbal cocktails like the Last Word, which uses Green Chartreuse, and the Hanky Panky, which uses Fernet-Branca. For a smoky, herbal sour, the Naked and Famous is a great choice. For a more traditional sour, try the Whisky Sour.

Who Will Enjoy the Industry Sour?

The Industry Sour is best for drinkers who already enjoy bitter and herbal flavors, people who like amaro, Negronis, black licorice or strong mint. If you're new to Fernet, the Industry Sour is actually one of the friendliest ways to try it, since the Chartreuse, lime and sugar soften its intensity considerably compared with drinking it as a straight shot. If you find the drink too strong, try lengthening it over ice with a splash of soda water, which turns it into a refreshing herbal highball. You can also reduce the Fernet slightly and replace it with more Chartreuse for a sweeter, gentler drink.

How to Serve an Industry Sour

Serve the Industry Sour straight up in a chilled coupe. It's usually served without a garnish, though a lime wheel or a fresh mint leaf adds a nice touch.

Food Pairings and Occasions

The Industry Sour is a great after-dinner drink, since both Fernet and Chartreuse are traditionally enjoyed as digestifs. It pairs well with dark chocolate, mint desserts and rich, heavy foods. It's also a perfect drink to share with friends who work in the bar and restaurant industry, or with anyone who loves bold flavors. Explore our bitter cocktails for more ideas.

Why People Love the Industry Sour

The Industry Sour takes two of the most intense ingredients in the bar and turns them into a balanced, refreshing drink. It's simple to remember, fun to make, and it celebrates the community of bartenders who made Fernet and Chartreuse famous. For a precise spec, see the Industry Sour recipe on Difford's Guide.