Sweet Vermouth, also known as red or Italian Vermouth, is a fortified wine that is flavored with a variety of botanicals and sweetened with sugar. Like Dry Vermouth, it is a key ingredient in many classic cocktails.
Sweet Vermouth originated in Italy in the mid-19th century and was originally used as a medicinal tonic before it became a popular ingredient in cocktails. It is made by infusing a red wine base with a variety of botanicals, including wormwood, herbs, and spices. Other common ingredients include vanilla, cinnamon, and orange peel. Sweeteners like sugar or caramel may also be added.
Sweet Vermouth has a sweet, slightly bitter flavor with notes of spice and fruit. It typically has a lower alcohol content than dry vermouth, with an alcohol by volume (ABV) of around 15-18%. It is often served over ice as an aperitif or mixed with other ingredients to create classic cocktails like the Manhattan or the Negroni.
Some popular brands of Sweet Vermouth include Martini & Rossi, Carpano Antica, and Cinzano. Sweet Vermouth is also produced in other countries, including France, Spain, and the United States, and can vary in flavor depending on the specific recipe and brand.
Sweet Vermouth Cocktail Recipes
5 Classic Sweet Vermouth Cocktails
- Manhattan: The Manhattan is a classic cocktail that combines Sweet Vermouth, bourbon or rye whiskey, and bitters. To make a Manhattan, fill a mixing glass with ice, add 2 ounces of bourbon or rye whiskey, 1 ounce of Sweet Vermouth, and a dash of bitters. Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry.
- Negroni: The Negroni is a simple yet sophisticated cocktail that combines Sweet Vermouth, gin, and Campari. To make a Negroni, fill a mixing glass with ice, add 1 ounce of Sweet Vermouth, 1 ounce of gin, and 1 ounce of Campari. Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange peel.
- Rob Roy: The Rob Roy is a classic cocktail that is similar to the Manhattan but uses Scotch whisky instead of bourbon or rye. To make a Rob Roy, fill a mixing glass with ice, add 2 ounces of Scotch whisky, 1 ounce of Sweet Vermouth, and a dash of bitters. Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry.
- Boulevardier: The Boulevardier is a classic cocktail that is similar to the Negroni but uses bourbon instead of gin. To make a Boulevardier, fill a mixing glass with ice, add 1 ounce of Sweet Vermouth, 1 ounce of bourbon, and 1 ounce of Campari. Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange peel.
- Americano: The Americano is a classic cocktail that combines Sweet Vermouth, Campari, and soda water. To make an Americano, fill a tall glass with ice, add 1 ounce of Sweet Vermouth, 1 ounce of Campari, and top with soda water. Stir well and garnish with an orange slice.
These classic cocktails are just a few examples of the many ways that Sweet Vermouth can be used in drinks. Its sweet, complex flavor makes it a versatile ingredient in cocktails and a must-have for any home bar.
5 Modern Sweet Vermouth Cocktails
- Black Manhattan: The Black Manhattan is a modern twist on the classic Manhattan that uses Averna, a Sicilian bitter liqueur, and black walnut bitters in addition to Sweet Vermouth and bourbon. To make a Black Manhattan, fill a mixing glass with ice, add 2 ounces of bourbon, 1 ounce of Sweet Vermouth, 1/4 ounce of Averna, and 2 dashes of black walnut bitters. Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry.
- The Final Ward: The Final Ward is a modern cocktail that uses Sweet Vermouth, maraschino liqueur, lemon juice, and rye whiskey. To make a Final Ward, fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add 3/4 ounce of Sweet Vermouth, 3/4 ounce of maraschino liqueur, 3/4 ounce of lemon juice, and 3/4 ounce of rye whiskey. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
- The Boulevardier Nouveau: The Boulevardier Nouveau is a modern twist on the classic Boulevardier that uses Aperol instead of Campari and adds grapefruit juice for a bright, citrusy flavor. To make a Boulevardier Nouveau, fill a mixing glass with ice, add 1 1/2 ounces of Sweet Vermouth, 1 1/2 ounces of Aperol, 1 ounce of grapefruit juice, and 1 ounce of bourbon. Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a grapefruit twist.
- The Bijou: The Bijou is a classic cocktail that has been updated for modern tastes. It uses gin, Sweet Vermouth, and Green Chartreuse for a complex and herbaceous flavor. To make a Bijou, fill a mixing glass with ice, add 1 ounce of gin, 1 ounce of Sweet Vermouth, and 1 ounce of Green Chartreuse. Stir well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.
- The El Presidente: The El Presidente is a classic Cuban cocktail that has been updated with Sweet Vermouth, orange curaçao, and honey syrup. To make an El Presidente, fill a cocktail shaker with ice, add 2 ounces of white rum, 3/4 ounce of Sweet Vermouth, 1/2 ounce of orange curaçao, and 1/4 ounce of honey syrup. Shake well and strain into a chilled cocktail glass. Garnish with an orange twist.
These modern cocktails demonstrate the versatility of Sweet Vermouth as an ingredient and show how it can be used to create unique and flavorful drinks.
About Sweet Vermouth
Origin: The exact origin of Sweet Vermouth is unclear, but it is believed to have originated in Italy in the late 18th or early 19th century. The first commercially produced Sweet Vermouth was created by Antonio Benedetto Carpano in Turin, Italy, in 1786.
Ingredients: The base of Sweet Vermouth is a white wine, typically a blend of several varieties, to which a neutral grape spirit is added. The wine is then infused with a variety of botanicals, including herbs, spices, roots, and barks. Some common botanicals used in Sweet Vermouth include wormwood, gentian, cinchona, angelica, coriander, and orange peel.
Flavor: Sweet Vermouth is characterized by its sweet, herbaceous, and slightly bitter flavor profile. The sweetness comes from the added sugar and the botanicals used in the infusion process, while the bitterness comes from the use of wormwood and other bitter botanicals. Sweet Vermouth also has a complex and aromatic flavor that is enhanced by the addition of other botanicals.
Proof: The alcohol content of Sweet Vermouth typically ranges from 16% to 18% ABV (alcohol by volume).
Usage: Sweet Vermouth is used as a key ingredient in many classic and modern cocktails, including the Manhattan, Negroni, and Boulevardier. It can also be enjoyed on its own, either chilled or at room temperature, as an aperitif or digestif.
Serving: Sweet Vermouth is typically served chilled or over ice. It can be enjoyed on its own, or used as a key ingredient in cocktails.
Production: Sweet Vermouth is produced through a process of infusion, maceration, and aging. The wine is first infused with the botanicals, then macerated for a period of time to extract the flavors and aromas. Finally, the infused wine is aged in oak barrels for several months to several years to allow the flavors to meld together and develop.
Manufacturer: Sweet Vermouth is produced by a variety of manufacturers around the world. Some of the most well-known brands include Carpano Antica Formula, Martini & Rossi, Cinzano, Noilly Prat, Dolin.
Variations: There are many variations of Sweet Vermouth, including Bianco Vermouth (which is white in color and typically less sweet), Rosso Vermouth (which is red in color and typically more sweet), and Extra Dry Vermouth (which is less sweet and has a more pronounced herbal character). There are also regional variations, with different producers using different botanicals and production methods.
Sweet Vermouth is a versatile ingredient that can be used in a variety of cocktails as well as in cooking. Here are some examples of what Sweet Vermouth can be mixed with:
- Whiskey or bourbon: Sweet Vermouth is a key ingredient in classic whiskey-based cocktails such as the Manhattan and the Boulevardier.
- Campari: Sweet Vermouth is also a key ingredient in the popular Italian cocktail, the Negroni, which is made with equal parts gin, sweet vermouth, and Campari.
- Amaretto: Sweet Vermouth can be mixed with amaretto and soda water to create a refreshing and slightly sweet highball.
- Fruit juices: Sweet Vermouth can be mixed with various fruit juices, such as orange or cranberry, to create a fruity and flavorful cocktail.
- Bitters: Sweet Vermouth can be mixed with various bitters, such as Angostura or orange bitters, to add depth and complexity to a cocktail.
- Champagne: Sweet Vermouth can be added to champagne or sparkling wine to create a sweet and bubbly cocktail, such as the classic cocktail, the Champagne Cocktail.
- Coffee: Sweet Vermouth can be added to coffee, along with some orange zest and a cinnamon stick, to create a warming and flavorful after-dinner drink.