That’s all down to this delicious and versatile cocktail ingredient. Vermouth is a fortified wine, often enjoyed as an aperitif. But, it’s also super common to see it as an ingredient in all the best cocktails. In fact, it’s been making boozy drinks more full-bodied and flavorful since the 1780s! For centuries, it’s been a crucial component to classic vermouth cocktail recipes like the Manhattan and Negroni. So whether you have a sweet red or dry white, you’ll find the perfect drink on this list.
Vermouth Cocktail Recipes You’ll Love
1. Negroni
Let’s kick things off with a cocktail that was created all the way back in the 1920s. Invented by Count Camillo Negroni, this drink is a twist on another classic cocktail – the Americano. Where the Americano has club soda mixed with Campari and sweet vermouth, the Negroni uses gin instead of soda. The result of this little switcheroo is a complex cocktail with a golden hue and refreshing and slightly bitter flavors. It’s not only pretty and tasty, but the recipe is also ridiculously to remember. Just mix equal parts of all three components and you’re good to go.
2. Lime Basil Vermouth Cocktail
If you’re looking for something light and refreshing, go for this lime-basil vermouth cocktail. It has low alcohol content and is high on aromatic and citrusy flavors, making it a perfect drink for brunch with friends or a lazy summer afternoon with your significant other. This is a super basic recipe of vermouth mixed with muddled lime and basil. Unlike other recipes on this list, here, the vermouth is not a supporting character, but the main attraction. To get the best flavor, use Blanco Vermouth, which is a type of dry white that’s smooth, sweet, and bursting with floral notes and vanilla.
3. The Perfect Martini
The Martini is one of the most popular cocktails on the face of the planet, and it’s not complete without vermouth. So if you want the perfect Martini, you’ll have to have a bottle of extra dry on hand. The flavors are wonderfully crisp and cool in this vermouth and gin cocktail. And that blend of spirits creates a terrific balance of botanical, spicy, and bitter flavors.
4. Best Manhattan Cocktail
The Manhattan is another timeless cocktail that goes all the way back to the 1880s. It seems like one of those complicated drinks that only mixologists can perfect, but it’s actually one of the easier recipes on this list. To make the best Manhattan cocktail, simply combine good-quality sweet vermouth, rye, and bitters then garnish it with a maraschino cherry. It may be simple, but its flavors are very complex. One sip gives you combinations of caramel, oak, and vanilla, as well as sweet, spicy, and bitter.
5. Breakfast in Bed
Nothing starts a weekend better than a shot of Breakfast in Bed! This boozy cocktail is a mix of vermouth, Branca Menta, orange marmalade, lemon juice, and simple syrup. The orange and lemon give this cocktail such lively flavors that cut down on the sugar. Still, it’s lightly sweet, making it an ideal brunch cocktail. The vermouth adds subtle botanical flavors, while the Branca Menta gives it a pleasant minty finish. Cheers to a great morning!
6. Italian Gin and Tonic
If you love the classic gin and tonic, I’m sure you’ll go nuts for this yummy Italian cocktail. All you’ll need is a little Campari and vermouth. These two components make the iconic cocktail so much more refreshing and flavorful, in my opinion. If gin and tonic is your go-to libation, I’m pretty sure you’ll love this version, as well. The Campari gives the clear and sparkly cocktail such complex flavors of fruits and spices. Its bittersweet profile really gives the drink that extra oomph. Garnished with a rosemary twig and an orange twist, this cocktail is both tasty and pretty to look at.
7. Boulevardier Cocktail
While the Negroni is an Americano with gin instead of club soda, the Boulevardier is Negroni with whiskey instead of gin. It’s a small change in the ingredients, but it yields a big difference in flavor. The Boulevardier is smooth and rich, bitter and spicy, and warm and soothing, all at the same time. In fact, it’s one of my favorite whiskey cocktails. And it’s not just flavorful, but a beaut, too, thanks to its deep red hue. The classic Boulevardier calls for equal parts of its three ingredients, but feel free to tweak the measurements to suit your palate.
8. Classic Vodka Martini
Since this vodka cocktail is a combination of just two liquors (vodka and vermouth), expect the Vodka Martini to be spirit-forward. With that in mind, it’s maybe not the best for those who prefer something fruity and sweet. This cocktail may be fancy, but it’s very easy to make. Just combine vodka, vermouth, and lemon peel, and voila. Here’s a crucial tip: Contrary to what 007 prefers, the Vodka Martini should be stirred, not shaken. Shaking only applies to cocktails with juice in them, to help meld the flavors. Shaking vermouth and vodka won’t contribute anything to the flavor, and will only make the drink look unpleasantly cloudy.
9. Bitter Giuseppe (Cynar Manhattan)
This next vermouth cocktail is a twist on the Manhattan. It uses Cynar, which is an Italian liqueur that gives the classic tipple notes of caramel, toffee, and bitter herbs. With its wonderfully complex flavors, your party guests will definitely be impressed with your mixology skills. But in reality, this cocktail is a breeze to mix. Just replace whiskey with Cynar and this new, fun version of the Manhattan is done.
10. Americano Cocktail
Last but not least is the Americano, which is another classic libation that uses sweet vermouth. This cocktail is sweet and refreshing, which makes it an ideal summer cocktail. Made with a combination of vermouth, Campari, and club soda, the Americano is a light and bubbly tipple with sweet and bitter flavors. As sophisticated as it may be, though, it’s one easy recipe. Click on a star to rate it!
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