Fernet [0] was just as close to being a suitable and secure JWT replacement. But the specification wasn't really updated in a while so a simpler and another secure alternative to JWT and Fernet would be Branca [1] tokens that uses the same cryptography as PASETO v2.local [2].
Here's some trivia, the name comes from an italian drink from the 19th century named Fernet-Branca [3].
I've heard Fernet and Coke is the traditional "bartender's cocktail".
Had a sip of my fiancee's once, it tastes like someone mixed every soda from the soda fountain with every herb and spice in their spice rack, and then squeezed a healthy dollop of toothpaste in for good measure.
Here's some trivia, the name comes from an italian drink from the 19th century named Fernet-Branca [3].
[0] - https://github.com/fernet/spec/blob/master/Spec.md
[1] - https://branca.io
[2] - https://github.com/paragonie/paseto/tree/master/docs/01-Prot...
[3] - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fernet-Branca