If you’re into the cocktail scene, you’ve probably heard of vermouth.
Or maybe you haven’t, but I’m excited to introduce you to this wonderful little drink that is nice for before a meal, in a cocktail or to finish a meal.
Tell me more about vermouth:
Vermouth is an aromatic fortified wine, often flavored with botanicals or fruits. There is both white and red vermouth and both sweet (or Italian vermouth, used in Manhattans) and dry vermouth (or French vermouth, used in Martinis).
A lot of wineries today are getting even more creative with vermouth, adding fruit and herbs and unexpected flavors that really pop. Every vermouth is different, much like wine, so it’s super fun to try different ones from different countries and areas.
Where can I buy vermouth:
You can get a bottle of white or red vermouth at your local wine shop (usually the best place to find a good one) or liquor store. You can usually get a good vermouth in the $15-25 range.
How do I store vermouth:
Vermouth can be stored at room temperature or in a wine fridge until you open it, then you should store in the refrigerator and drink within a month.
How do I drink vermouth:
It’s amazing how simple you can get with vermouth to make it really tasty and satisfying.
As an aperitif- Vermouth makes a delicious aperitif before a meal. Just put a few ounces in a small glass and sip away to get ready for a fabulous meal.
As the easiest cocktail– Vermouth can also make the easiest cocktail (and one of my favorites). Just add a large ice cube and a few ounces of your favorite white or red vermouth to a glass and add to it an orange peel. You can also put some bitters on top for extra flavor!
As a classic cocktail- There are lots of classic cocktails that contain vermouth, like the Negroni, Martini, Manhattan, when mixed with your favorite alcohol.
As a digestif- We love finishing a big or rich meal with a small glass of vermouth (so much so that we recently bought a set of aperitif/digestif glasses- don’t worry, they were on sale!). All you have to do is add a few ounces to a small glass and sip away. You can always add a lemon or orange peel here, too.
How do I cook with vermouth:
There are also a few ways you can use vermouth in cooking. You can use it in the place of wine for many recipes.
- Add it to homemade jam
- Use it in this French Onion Tart
- Deglaze your pan
Check out other recipes ideas on my friend, Feast + West’s blog!
Some of our favorite vermouths:
Here are a few of our favorite vermouths to sip on: