Vermouth
Do you know that bit character who comes into a movie for just a few minutes but has an indelible effect on the story? Vermouth is that character in your bar. It’s often forgotten and is usually relegated to a dusty spot beside bottles of creme de menthe and Chambord. (How long have those been there, anyway?) We think it’s time that this classic gets its overdue moment in the spotlight, so, here’s everything you need to know about Vermouth.
What Is Vermouth?
Vermouth is a fortified wine, meaning that it’s wine spiked with a spirit like brandy or rum. But to really understand Vermouth, you need to understand aperitifs. Unlike other fortified wines like Sherry, Port, and Madeira, Vermouth is aromatized, meaning it’s infused with botanicals including roots, flowers, herbs, and spices, all of which give it flavor. The result is a creation with an alcohol content higher than regular wine, but still much lower than standard spirits.
Vermouth is a fortified wine, meaning that it’s wine spiked with a spirit like brandy or rum. But to really understand Vermouth, you need to understand aperitifs. Unlike other fortified wines like Sherry, Port, and Madeira, Vermouth is aromatized, meaning it’s infused with botanicals including roots, flowers, herbs, and spices, all of which give it flavor. The result is a creation with an alcohol content higher than regular wine, but still much lower than standard spirits.
The Beginnings
The origins of Vermouth aren’t entirely known. Some say it was the Germans, some say the Greeks, some say it goes back as far as China in 1200 BC. Historians agree that what eventually led to Vermouth was a mixture of wormwood and wine. Production of the version that we know today is linked to 18th-century Turin, Italy, however wormwood is still the main ingredient. After all, the name Vermouth is inherited from the earlier German wormwood-infused wines known as wermut.
The origins of Vermouth aren’t entirely known. Some say it was the Germans, some say the Greeks, some say it goes back as far as China in 1200 BC. Historians agree that what eventually led to Vermouth was a mixture of wormwood and wine. Production of the version that we know today is linked to 18th-century Turin, Italy, however wormwood is still the main ingredient. After all, the name Vermouth is inherited from the earlier German wormwood-infused wines known as wermut.
As with many of our favorite alcohol creations, Vermouth was
originally used for medicinal purposes. The botanicals were supposed to be
helpful in aiding digestion and easing an upset stomach. It wasn’t long before
the herbal taste and appetite inducing effects turned it into a popular
aperitif. It became increasingly popular in the United States around the 1870s,
at one point even out-selling table wine. It soon worked its way into the
rotation of bartenders and solidified its place in history as an ingredient in
some of the world’s most iconic cocktails.
How Many Types of Vermouth Are There?
Over the centuries, three styles have emerged: sweet, dry, and blanc. Each style has a different purpose and each brand offers its own unique interpretation of the flavors. To make things a little simpler, here are the basics:
Over the centuries, three styles have emerged: sweet, dry, and blanc. Each style has a different purpose and each brand offers its own unique interpretation of the flavors. To make things a little simpler, here are the basics:
- Sweet red Vermouth: Rich, spicy, bold, and pleasantly sweet. It pairs particularly well with bourbon, whiskey, and bitters, and is unsurprisingly a necessary ingredient in a Manhattan.
- Dry white Vermouth: Tart, floral, herbaceous, and dry, it adds depth to a gin or vodka martini. It’s also a nice accompaniment to Campari, Aperol, and an amaro.
- Blanc Vermouth: The best of both worlds, this has the sweetness of a red Vermouth and the tart, floral taste of a white. It pairs well with gin, vodka, and sparkling wine, and is also delightful on its own with seltzer.
Within these categories, there are variations, including brown
styles infused with bitters, blanc styles flavored with vanilla, and extra-dry
styles that are especially good to use in cooking. In response to demand and
competition, Vermouth manufacturers have created additional styles such as
amber and rosé. And there are other small-batch Vermouth producers who are
putting their own unique spin on the beverage to create a slightly different,
new style.
How Should You Drink Vermouth?
Before we get to that, let’s talk about how to store your Vermouth. Remember that Vermouth is primarily wine. An opened bottle doesn’t last as long as the other ingredients on your bar. Though fortification adds some time to its shelf-life, it’s no more than a few months. You should store your Vermouth in the fridge, which prolongs its freshness. (An unopened bottle can last up to ten years if stored in a cool, dark place.) If you find that you’ve left your Vermouth alone for too long and it’s developed that “off” flavor, the best thing you can do is toss it out or cook with it.
Before we get to that, let’s talk about how to store your Vermouth. Remember that Vermouth is primarily wine. An opened bottle doesn’t last as long as the other ingredients on your bar. Though fortification adds some time to its shelf-life, it’s no more than a few months. You should store your Vermouth in the fridge, which prolongs its freshness. (An unopened bottle can last up to ten years if stored in a cool, dark place.) If you find that you’ve left your Vermouth alone for too long and it’s developed that “off” flavor, the best thing you can do is toss it out or cook with it.
Now that you know the basics, it’s time to get drinking. Of
course, there are plenty of classic cocktails to try that wouldn’t be what they
are without Vermouth. The Martini
(Recipe Here), Manhattan
(Recipe Here), Bronx (Recipe Here),
and Negroni (Recipe Here)
are just a few.
Of course, if you really want to know your Vermouth, you’ve got to
drink it as close to on its own as possible. In 18th-century Europe everyone enjoyed
a glass of Vermouth to stimulate their appetite before dinner. Just mix one
part of Vermouth with two parts of sparkling water and garnish with a twist of
lemon or orange.
Can You Make Your Own Vermouth?
Yes, you can make your own Vermouth at home. Making it requires a lot of ingredients and a couple of them can be hard to find. If you’re interested in making your own Vermouth at home, Mountain Rose Herbs has a great recipe. (Recipe Here)
Yes, you can make your own Vermouth at home. Making it requires a lot of ingredients and a couple of them can be hard to find. If you’re interested in making your own Vermouth at home, Mountain Rose Herbs has a great recipe. (Recipe Here)
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