Dry vermouth is an aromatized fortified white wine, made with a blend of herbal infusions and sometimes a small amount of caramel or sugar. It is flavored with botanicals, including juniper, sage, rosemary, bay leaf, chamomile, coriander and cardamom.
While the flavor of dry vermouth varies from producer to producer, it typically has a light herbal and botanical taste, as well as a hint of sweetness and aromatics. Depending on the producer, other spices, like nutmeg, chilies, cinnamon and pepper, can be added to give dry vermouth its unique flavor profile.
Dry vermouth can be used to create classic cocktails like the martini and Manhattan as a savory ingredient or as a balancing component in a variety of drinks.
What’s the difference between dry vermouth and sweet vermouth?
Dry vermouth and sweet vermouth are both types of aperitif wines that are fortified and aromatized, but they differ in their flavor profiles. Dry vermouth is usually pale in color and has a subtle herbal flavor.
It is generally crisp and light-bodied with some bitterness. Sweet vermouth is darker in color and has a more concentrated herbal and spicy flavor. It is typically syrupy and full-bodied with a sweet finish.
The two types of vermouth are often used in different cocktails as they lend different flavor profiles to the drink. For example, dry vermouth is often used in martinis and manhattans, while sweet vermouth is often used in Negronis and Rob Roys.
Is dry vermouth still sweet?
Yes, dry vermouth is still sweet, but it is not as sweet as sweet vermouth. Dry vermouth is usually made with a light and fruity white wine, flavored with aromatic herbs and spices, with a small addition of sweetness to balance the flavor.
As opposed to sweet vermouth, which is generally made with a sweeter red wine and a greater addition of sugar, resulting in a sweet and syrupy flavor. So while dry vermouth is still somewhat sweet, it’s not nearly as sweet as sweet vermouth, and should be used in drinks that call for a dryer vermouth flavor.
Should dry vermouth be refrigerated?
Yes, it is generally recommended to refrigerate dry vermouth after opening. This is because vermouth, like all wines, is sensitive to oxidation and exposure to light, heat, and air. Keeping it cool helps to significantly reduce the rate of oxidation and preserve the aromatic complexity of vermouth for a longer period of time.
It is also important to store the bottle in a cool, dark place and to always seal the cap tightly after opening to keep air from entering the bottle. If you plan to use the opened vermouth within 1-2 weeks it should stay safe at room temperature.
Ultimately, whether to refrigerate your vermouth or not should be up to your personal preferences, as the flavor may slightly change when exposed to very low temperatures.
Can I drink dry vermouth straight?
No, dry vermouth is usually consumed as an aperitif, meaning it is meant to be drunk before meals in order to stimulate the appetite. Therefore, it is usually mixed with other liquids to make it more palatable.
Vermouth is typically mixed with tonic water, soda water, orange juice, or other ingredients to create a cocktail or mixed drink. You can, however, sip it neat or on the rocks if you want to enjoy its unique flavor without all the sugar and other extra ingredients.
Either way, it is not recommended to drink it in large amounts or on an empty stomach.
Does a Manhattan have sweet or dry vermouth?
A Manhattan typically includes both sweet and dry vermouth. It is a classic cocktail made with rye whiskey (or bourbon), sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters. The standard ratio of the ingredients is 2 parts whiskey to 1 part each of vermouth and bitters.
The dry vermouth helps to balance out the sweetness of the sweet vermouth, resulting in a complex and often strongly flavored drink. Many people also add a cherry or an orange twist as a garnish. The exact ratio and ingredients of a Manhattan can vary from person to person and bar to bar, so make sure to ask your bartender what recipe they use.
Do you use dry or sweet vermouth in a martini?
The type of vermouth used in a martini depends on personal preference. Dry vermouth typically has a light, subtle flavor with a more herbal aroma. If a martini is made with dry vermouth, it will generally be light and dry.
Sweet vermouth has a sweet, sometimes fruity taste, and has a deep red color. When sweet vermouth is used, it will generally produce a sweeter martini with a much more intense flavor. Ultimately, the type of vermouth used when making a martini is up to the individual and their own tastes.
What does white vermouth taste like?
White vermouth is a type of fortified wine made from a blend of white wines, herbs, and spices. It has a complex flavor profile that can be both sweet and herbal. Depending on the specific blend of ingredients used, it can have fruity or citrus tones as well.
The most common flavors found in white vermouth are sweet orange, juniper, coriander, cardamom, and cinnamon. It also has slight overtones of honey, almonds, and cloves. Generally, it has a slightly dry, earthy taste with sweet, floral notes.
Is vermouth sweet or bitter?
Vermouth is both sweet and bitter. Depending on which type of vermouth you get, the taste can vary. Sweet Vermouth is usually made from a combination of European herbs, spices, and dry wine that is then sweetened with a syrup or sugar.
This is then fortified with a spirit, usually brandy. The sweet vermouth flavor tends to be slightly sweet and herbal. Bitter Vermouth, on the other hand, is made with a harsher blend of herbs and aromatics, fortified with a spirit and then sweetened with a sweetener like sugar or glycerin.
This tends to give the vermouth a more savory, intense flavor with a hint of sweetness. Some of the most well-known types of bitter Vermouths are Punt E Mes, Campari, Cocchi Americano, and Martini & Rossi.
Does vermouth taste like licorice?
No, vermouth does not necessarily taste like licorice. As a fortified wine-based aromatized beverage, vermouth is usually flavored with various herbs, spices, and botanicals, such as cardamom, cinnamon, chamomile, orange peel, coriander, elderflower, lavender, and licorice, among others.
Most vermouth has a sweet and slightly bitter taste, and its taste profile can naturally vary depending on the types and proportions of botanicals used in its production. While licorice is one of the common ingredients used in vermouth-making, not all varieties include it, and the presence of licorice will of course affect the flavor profile.
Thus, it is not necessarily the case that all vermouth tastes the same or even like licorice.
How do you drink French vermouth?
French vermouth is typically served in a chilled glass filled with ice. For a traditional French vermouth drink, pour 1 ounce of French vermouth into an ice-filled glass, along with a few drops of Angostura aromatic bitters.
Depending on the type of French vermouth you are using, you can choose to add in a few splashes of either soda water, tonic water, or white wine. Stir the mixture until the ingredients are well combined and garnish with an orange twist.
Other popular variations of French vermouth drinks include the Negroni, Martini, or Manhattan. To make a Negroni, fill a shaker with ice and pour 1 ounce French vermouth, 1 ounce Campari, and 1 ounce of gin.
Shake the ingredients to combine and strain into a chilled glass. Add an orange twist as a garnish. A Martini is also a popular vermouth drink that can be easily made by pouring 2 ounces of French vermouth, 1 ounce of dry vermouth, and a few drops of orange bitters into a shaker filled with ice.
Shake the ingredients and strain into a chilled martini glass and garnish with a lemon twist or an olive. For a Manhattan, stir 2 ounces of French vermouth and 1 ounce sweet vermouth in a shaker filled with ice.
Strain into a chilled glass and add 2 or 3 dashes of Angostura bitters and a splash of orange liqueur. Serve with a cherry or orange twist garnish.
Is there a French vermouth?
Yes, there is a French vermouth. It is a fortified wine that is flavored with different botanicals, such as orange peel, juniper berries, wormwood, and other herbs. French vermouth is dryer and more herbal than other types of vermouth from Italy or Spain.
It has a light, yellow color, with a subtle taste and mild bitterness. French vermouth is made from grape wine and other ingredients, then fortified with brandy or other alcohol. It is most often used to make classic cocktails such as the Negroni and Martinis.
Some popular brands of French Vermouth include Dolin, Noilly Prat and Lillet.
What can I use instead of dry vermouth?
While they may not offer identical flavors, they can still provide the desired result in terms of flavor, texture, and color.
If a dry vermouth flavor is desired, you can use dry white wine, dry sherry, or fino sherry. A white wine, such as a Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay, is a great choice and can provide an extra fruity, acidic flavor to the drink.
Both dry sherry and fino sherry offer a nuttiness that adds complexity to the recipe, as well as a slight sweetness.
If you’re looking for something with a lower alcohol content, you may want to use apple cider or apple juice as a substitute. These offer a sweeter flavor, and can also add a bit of sweetness and acidity to the drink.
Other alternatives commonly used as substitutes for dry vermouth include Noilly Prat (also a type of dry vermouth), Lillet Blanc (a French aperitif), and Campari (an Italian aperitif). Each of these will offer unique flavors to the drink.
Whichever option you choose, it’s important to adjust the recipe as needed to ensure that you aren’t using too much or too little of the substitutes. Also, make sure to taste the drink as you mix it, as well as throughout the process, to ensure a flavor balance that works for your desired outcome.
