Vermouth cocktails offer a world of flavor possibilities for your home bar. This fortified wine comes in sweet and dry varieties, each adding its own unique character to drinks. From classic martinis to modern creations, vermouth can elevate your cocktail game.
You’ll find a mix of timeless recipes and new twists using vermouth as a key ingredient. These 12 drinks showcase the versatility of vermouth, ranging from light and refreshing to rich and complex. Whether you prefer gin, whiskey, or other spirits, there’s a vermouth cocktail here to suit your taste.
The Classic Martini is a timeless cocktail that combines gin and vermouth. You can adjust the ratio to suit your taste, but a common mix is 5 parts gin to 1 part dry vermouth.
To make one, chill a martini glass. Add gin and vermouth to a mixing glass with ice. Stir gently for about 30 seconds to chill and combine the ingredients.
Strain the mixture into your chilled glass. Garnish with an olive or lemon twist. For a “dirty” martini, add a splash of olive brine.
Some prefer their martini very dry with just a hint of vermouth. Others enjoy a wetter style with more vermouth. Try different ratios to find your ideal balance.
The Negroni is a classic cocktail that’s perfect for vermouth lovers. It’s made with equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari.
To make a Negroni, mix 1 ounce each of gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari in a glass filled with ice. Stir well and garnish with an orange peel.
This drink has a bold, bitter-sweet flavor that many find addictive. The vermouth adds depth and complexity to balance the strong gin and bitter Campari.
You can adjust the ratios to suit your taste. Some prefer more gin for a stronger drink, while others add extra vermouth for a smoother sip.
The Manhattan is a classic cocktail that blends whiskey and sweet vermouth. It’s known for its rich flavor and smooth taste.
To make a Manhattan, you’ll need whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters. Rye or bourbon work well as the base spirit.
Mix 2 parts whiskey with 1 part sweet vermouth. Add a dash or two of bitters for depth. Stir the ingredients with ice, then strain into a chilled glass.
Garnish your Manhattan with a cherry or lemon twist. This elegant drink is perfect for sipping slowly and savoring the complex flavors.
The Americano is a simple yet refreshing cocktail. It combines equal parts Campari and sweet vermouth. Top it off with soda water for a bubbly finish.
To make an Americano, fill a tall glass with ice. Pour in 1.5 ounces each of Campari and sweet vermouth. Add a splash of chilled soda water.
Stir gently to mix the ingredients. Garnish with an orange slice or peel for extra flavor. The Americano is perfect for sipping on warm days.
This drink originated in Italy in the 1860s. It was first called Milano-Torino, named after the hometowns of its main ingredients. The name changed due to its popularity with American tourists.
The Boulevardier is a classic cocktail that swaps gin for whiskey in a Negroni. It combines bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth for a rich, complex flavor.
To make a Boulevardier, mix equal parts of each ingredient in a glass with ice. Stir well to chill the drink, then strain into a rocks glass over fresh ice.
Garnish your Boulevardier with an orange twist to add a citrusy aroma. This cocktail offers a perfect balance of sweet, bitter, and boozy notes.
You can adjust the ratios to suit your taste. Try using more bourbon for a stronger drink, or increase the vermouth for a smoother sip.
The El Presidente is a classic Cuban cocktail that mixes white rum with dry vermouth. It adds a touch of orange curaçao and a hint of grenadine for sweetness.
To make this drink, you’ll need to stir the ingredients with ice in a mixing glass. Once chilled, strain it into a cocktail glass.
You can garnish your El Presidente with an orange twist. This adds a nice citrus aroma to the drink.
The cocktail has a smooth, slightly sweet taste with subtle orange notes. It’s a great choice if you want to try a rum-based drink that’s not too strong.
The Rob Roy is a classic cocktail that’s essentially a Scotch Manhattan. It combines Scotch whisky, sweet vermouth, and bitters.
To make a Rob Roy, you’ll need 2 ounces of Scotch, 1 ounce of sweet vermouth, and a dash or two of bitters. Stir these ingredients with ice until chilled, then strain into a cocktail glass.
You can garnish your Rob Roy with a cocktail cherry or an orange twist. The drink offers a rich, complex flavor profile that highlights the smoky notes of the Scotch.
Try different Scotch whiskies to find your preferred Rob Roy variation. Some bartenders also experiment with dry or blanc vermouth for unique twists on this timeless cocktail.
The Martinez is a classic cocktail that combines gin, sweet vermouth, maraschino liqueur, and bitters. It’s considered a precursor to the martini and offers a rich, complex flavor profile.
To make a Martinez, you’ll need 2 oz gin, 1 oz sweet vermouth, 1/4 oz maraschino liqueur, and a couple dashes of bitters. Mix these ingredients in a glass with ice and stir until chilled.
Strain the drink into a chilled coupe glass. For a finishing touch, garnish with an orange twist. The Martinez has a higher alcohol content, so sip it slowly and enjoy its unique blend of flavors.
The Bamboozle is a delightful twist on the classic Bamboo cocktail. It combines dry sherry and dry vermouth for a low-alcohol sipper.
You’ll need equal parts dry sherry and dry vermouth for this drink. Add a dash of Angostura bitters and orange bitters to enhance the flavors.
Stir the ingredients with ice in a mixing glass until well-chilled. Strain into a chilled coupe glass for an elegant presentation.
Garnish your Bamboozle with a lemon twist. Squeeze the twist over the drink to release its oils before dropping it in. This adds a bright citrus aroma to complement the cocktail’s flavors.
The Vermouth Spritz is a refreshing and easy-to-make cocktail. You’ll love its bubbly nature and simple recipe.
To make one, pour sweet or dry vermouth over ice in a wine glass. Top it with club soda and add a splash of prosecco if you like.
Garnish your drink with an orange slice or olive. This light cocktail is perfect for sipping on warm days. You can adjust the ratios to suit your taste preferences.
The Vermouth Spritz offers a low-alcohol option compared to other cocktails. It’s a great choice when you want something tasty but not too strong.
The Adonis is a simple yet sophisticated vermouth cocktail. It’s a low-alcohol drink that combines sherry and sweet vermouth.
To make an Adonis, you’ll need equal parts fino or manzanilla sherry and sweet vermouth. Add a couple dashes of orange bitters for depth.
Stir the ingredients with ice in a mixing glass. Strain into a chilled cocktail glass. You can garnish with an orange twist if you like.
This cocktail dates back to the late 1800s. It was named after a popular Broadway musical of the time.
The Adonis is perfect for those who enjoy lighter drinks. It’s refreshing and easy to sip, making it great for warm evenings or as an aperitif.
History of Vermouth Cocktails
Vermouth cocktails have a rich past that spans centuries. These drinks shaped modern mixology and remain popular today.
Origins and Evolution
Vermouth first appeared in Italy in the late 1700s. Bartenders soon mixed it with other spirits to create new drinks. The Manhattan, born in the 1870s, combined whiskey and sweet vermouth. It became a hit in New York City.
The Martini followed soon after. This mix of gin and dry vermouth grew famous worldwide. At first, recipes used equal parts gin and vermouth. Over time, less vermouth became common.
Other early vermouth cocktails included the Martinez and the Adonis. These drinks paved the way for more complex recipes. Bartenders kept experimenting, leading to new creations.
Impact on Cocktail Culture
Vermouth cocktails changed how people drank. They offered a softer option to straight spirits. This made them perfect for social gatherings.
These drinks also sparked creativity behind the bar. Mixologists tried new flavor combos with vermouth as a base. This led to classics like the Negroni and the Americano.
Vermouth cocktails became symbols of sophistication. They appeared in books, movies, and TV shows. James Bond’s famous “shaken, not stirred” Martini boosted their appeal.
Today, vermouth cocktails are having a comeback. Craft bartenders are rediscovering old recipes. They’re also making new drinks with artisanal vermouths.
Types of Vermouth
Vermouth comes in different varieties with distinct flavors and uses. Sweet, dry, and blanc vermouth each bring unique qualities to cocktails. Let’s explore the main types you’ll encounter when mixing drinks.
Sweet Vermouth
Sweet vermouth has a deep red color and rich flavor. It’s made with red wine and has added sugar. This type works well in classic cocktails like Manhattans and Negronis.
Sweet vermouth tastes of herbs, spices, and caramel. It’s often flavored with ingredients like cinnamon, vanilla, and citrus peel. The sweetness balances out strong spirits in mixed drinks.
You can also enjoy sweet vermouth on its own over ice. It makes a nice after-dinner drink. When buying sweet vermouth, look for brands from Italy. They tend to have the best quality and most authentic flavors.
Dry Vermouth
Dry vermouth is clear or pale yellow. It’s made with white wine and has less sugar than sweet vermouth. This type is key for martinis and other gin cocktails.
The flavor of dry vermouth is crisp and herbal. It can have notes of flowers, citrus, and grass. French brands are known for making excellent dry vermouth.
You can use dry vermouth to add depth to cocktails without sweetness. It also works well in cooking. Try adding a splash to sauces or using it to deglaze a pan.
Blanc Vermouth
Blanc vermouth is less common but worth trying. It’s clear like dry vermouth but sweeter. This type bridges the gap between sweet and dry styles.
The taste of blanc vermouth is floral and fruity. It often has hints of vanilla and stone fruits. You can use it in place of sweet vermouth for a lighter cocktail.
Blanc vermouth is great in summer drinks. Try it in a spritz with soda water and fresh fruit. It also pairs nicely with gin or vodka in simple mixed drinks.
Cassie brings decades of experience to the Kitchen Community. She is a noted chef and avid gardener. Her new book "Healthy Eating Through the Garden" will be released shortly. When not writing or speaking about food and gardens Cassie can be found puttering around farmer's markets and greenhouses looking for the next great idea.
