Got a bottle of vermouth to use up? Here are all the best vermouth cocktails worth making, using both the sweet red and dry white varieties.

Vermouth cocktails

Got a bottle of vermouth to use up? We’ve got answers. This fortified wine is extraordinarily popular in mixed drinks: but it always plays second fiddle. Why? It’s there to add body and complexity to cocktails, which it does in spades. It’s perhaps the best supporting actor of the cocktail world. Here’s more about this famous liquor, and all the best vermouth cocktails worth trying!

What is vermouth?

Vermouth is a fortified wine, or wine with liquor added to stabilize it. It was invented in the 1780’s in Turin, Italy. Today it’s drunk straight as an aperitif, or mixed in cocktails like the Negroni and Manhattan. There are two main types of vermouth: sweet (usually red) and dry (usually white). The dry variety is also used in cooking as you would a white wine.

Vermouth needs to stay cold for storage, so make sure to refrigerate it! It stays good in the refrigerator for up to 3 months.

What does vermouth taste like?

The flavor of vermouth depends on the type. Here’s what you can expect from the most common varieties:

  • Sweet vermouth is subtly sweet and spicy, with a hint of bitter on the finish. The most popular sweet vermouth cocktails are the NegroniAmericano, and Manhattan.
  • Dry vermouth has a crisp tart flavor, essentially like a dry white wine. It’s used in martinis, like the Classic Martini and Dirty Martini.

Sweet white and dry red are the most common varieties, but you can also find a gamut of other types: extra dry, sweet white (also called blanc or bianco), amber, and rosé.

How much alcohol is in vermouth? It is 18% ABV (alcohol by volume) depending on the brand, so it has a low alcohol content. Compare it to 40% ABV for spirits like whiskeyrumvodka and gin.

How much does it cost?

Compared to other liquors, vermouth is affordable. You can buy a mid-priced 750 ml bottle for $10 to $15. It’s easy to find at your liquor store or online. Some good brands of vermouth? We like Martini & Rossi for sweet red, and Dolin for dry white.

And now…the best dry and sweet vermouth cocktails!

Vermouth is part of some of the most famous classic cocktails around, from the Manhattan to the Martini. Here we cover all the classics plus some lesser known vermouth drinks. The list below includes sweet vermouth cocktails with the red variety, and dry with the white variety. Ready to get mixing?

Print
clock clock iconcutlery cutlery iconflag flag iconfolder folder iconinstagram instagram iconpinterest pinterest iconfacebook facebook iconprint print iconsquares squares iconheart heart iconheart solid heart solid icon
Manhattan

Top Vermouth Cocktails: Manhattan & More!


  • Author: Sonja Overhiser
  • Prep Time: 5 minutes
  • Cook Time: 0 minutes
  • Total Time: 5 minutes
  • Yield: 1 drink 1x

Description

Here are the secrets to the best Manhattan cocktail! Add style to your evening with this easy classic vermouth cocktail made with just three ingredients.


Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 ounces (4 tablespoons) bourbon or rye whiskey (we prefer bourbon)
  • 1 ounce (2 tablespoons) sweet red vermouth
  • 3 dashes Angostura or orange bitters
  • Garnish: Luxardo cherry or other cocktail cherry

Instructions

  1. Combine the whiskey, vermouth and bitters in a cocktail mixing glass (or any other type of glass). Fill the mixing glass with 1 handful ice and stir continuously for 30 seconds.
  2. Strain into a coupe or cocktail glass. Garnish with a cherry and serve.
  • Category: Drink
  • Method: Stirred
  • Cuisine: Cocktails
  • Diet: Vegan

Keywords: Vermouth Cocktails, Manhattan

About the authors

Sonja & Alex

Meet Sonja and Alex Overhiser: Husband and wife. Expert home cooks. Authors of recipes you'll want to make again and again.

Leave a Comment

Recipe rating

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

2 Comments