Classic Vermouth Cocktails That Deserve Your Respect
Posted on: Nov. 10, 2016
Vermouth may be having a renaissance moment in the modern craft cocktail scene, but dont call it a comeback: its been here for years. The fortified wine we know and love has been an integral component in some of the most fundamental recipes of the cocktail canon many of which were resurrected to even greater heights by intrepid bartenders in the decades following Prohibition.
And, after more than 250 years in the business, Cinzano has been around for all of it, from the day the Negroni made its debut in Florence to the first Manhattan slung on Broadway. So, we asked our friends at the storied Italian vermouth brand to help us put some of these classics on their proper pedestals. Below, just a small handful of the vermouth cocktails that paved the way:
1. The Negroni
Sometimes a bartender creates a drink, and sometimes a customer does. In this case, the Negroni was created at Bar Casoni in Florence sometime in the early 1920s when Count Camillo Negroni ordered an Americano sweet vermouth, Campari and club soda with gin in place of soda. Its also worth noting that Count Camillo Negroni loved the American wild west to the point that he was often seen in full cowboy regalia.
Ingredients
Add ice and ingredients to glass and stir until chilled. Garnish with an orange peel.
2. The Martini
Ingredients
- 1 ounce Cinzano Extra Dry Vermouth
Directions
3. The Adonis
Ingredients
- 2 oz. Cinzano Rosso Vermouth
- 2 dashes orange bitters
Directions
Other Notable Vermouth Cocktails
Vieux Carre: A New Orleans take on the Manhattan in which the whiskey is replaced with Cognac and a touch of Benedictine. This ones not for the faint of heart.
Boulevardier: If you prefer brown spirits to gin, try the Boulevardier, a twist on the Negroni made with rye.
Bamboo: From the famous Grand Hotel in Yokohama, Japan, this classic is a great afternoon sipper. The cocktail combines the elegance of Noilly Prat Dry vermouth with a funky Amontillado sherry.
Vesper: If youre trying to stink the bar up with some class, the Vesper works magic. Its made with both gin and vodka, so you can try all manner of gin and vodka pairings. You can thank James Bond for this one, since the drink first appeared in Ian Flemings Casino Royale.
50/50 Martini: For true vermouth lover, this Martini variation calls for equal pours of gin and dry vermouth, really letting the aromatized wine shine. With 1.5 ounces of vermouth, be sure to choose a quality bottling.
Blood And Sand Cocktail
Looking for a unique vermouth cocktail that will impress everyone? Try the Blood and Sand! Its one of the few classic cocktails with Scotch from the 1920s and 30s. Its similar to a Manhattan or , but with with blood orange juice and cherry liqueur. Its light and semi-sweet, with a balanced and cherry-forward flavor. This one will please even people who are on the fence about Scotch.
Ingredients: Scotch, cherry liqueur, sweet vermouth, blood orange juice
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Use It As A Base In Low Abv Cocktails
If were being real, dry vermouth doesnt need to be mixed with any spirit to make it work wonders in a cocktail. It can be simply mixed with orange liqueur and lime juice to create a Queen Elizabeth, a citrusy, low-proof spin on a sour cocktail. Or, if youre craving something with more depth, blend it with sherry, maraschino liqueur and orange bitters to get a Coronation. Better yet, follow a Coronation with a Queen Elizabeth while watching The Crown to get a triple dose of royal treatment. Too much?
Is Martini Rosso The Same As Vermouth
Vermouth Spritz Indeed, Martini Rosso is synonymous with Negroni. Although you can use better vermouth, it does the job marvelously and complements the Campari without imparting too much bitterness. Of course, other classics include the Manhattan and Americano. Otherwise, just topping up Martini Rosso with soda water can make a refreshing spritz.
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How To Use Up Your Dry Vermouth
Dry vermouth may be the bottle I reach for most often, since its useful in cocktails and cooking alike, and it keeps longer than an open bottle of white wine. And while Ill happily drink vermouth on its own, we could all use a little recipe inspiration now and then. Here are 31 ways to sip dry vermouth and use it in your cooking.
Where To Buy Martini & Rossi Extra Dry Vermouth
Reg Price: $9.77 Qty: Enter quantity to buy Martini & Rossi Vermouth Extra Dry, 1-99 Martini & Rossi Vermouth Rosso 1.50L Fortified wine from Italy that is distilled with a combination of more than 30 herbs and spices including sage, coriander, allspice, and Roman camomile.
Contact Information. Vermont Department of Liquor Control 13 Green Mountain Drive Montpelier VT 05620-4501 Phone: 802-828-2345 Toll Free in Vermont: 800-642-3134 Fax: 802-828-2803
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What Exactly Does Vermouth Taste Like
The different types of vermouth are going to have different flavor profiles.
Sweet vermouth has a slightly spicier kick to it and will obviously be sweeter than the other varieties. Youll find sweet vermouth in classic cocktails like the Americano, negroni, and Manhattan.
Dry vermouth is going to be a lot crisper and will even have more tannic properties compared to the others. Its tart when it hits the taste buds and is drier like white wine. Youll see this type of vermouth in a dry martini.
Red vermouth is always going to be dry while the sweet version will be white. There are also other kinds youll find like extra dry, sweet white, amber, or rose.
Typically, vermouth will have around 18% ABV but this will always change depending on the brand you purchase. Compared to liquors, vermouth has a pretty low alcohol content.
What Makes It A Dry Martini
For those unfamiliar with liquor lexicon, the relative dryness of a martini refers to the amount of vermouth. The drier the martini, the less vermouth. This can be achieved in any of many ways, whether you use a scant splash, give the glass but a quick rinse of vermouth prior to sloshing in the gin, or only so much as wave the bottle over the glass. More on making a martini of proper proportions can be found in the writings of M.F.K. Fisher. And should you be looking to put the rest of that bottle of vermouth to good use, grab your roasting pan, a hen, and this recipe from James Beard for Chicken with 40 Cloves of Garlic. Youre welcome.
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What Exactly Is Vermouth
Vermouth was created in Italy as a way to help wine last longer. In this process, they take wine and infuse it with herbs and spices before altering the alcohol content.
They then sweeten this mixture so it becomes sweeter than wine but not as overbearing as a liqueur would be. Its basically a fortified wine.
Theres a lot of debate about what makes vermouth what it is but the basic idea is its a mix of wine, spices, and herbs, plus alcohol.
You can find dry vermouth or sweet vermouth which gives you two different tastes to work with when creating your own drinks.
Vermouth is typically kept in a cold location like your refrigerator so that it can stay good and wont ferment too much.