The Rise of Vermouth: Why It’s Making a Comeback

Vermouth- an aromatic fortified wine that resides on bar shelves, usually far from the cocktail action, is back with vigor. It has opened the eyes of bartenders, home mixologists, and wine drinkers to its multidimensional flavor and exceptional blendability. Vermouth has moved on from only being a martini ingredient; it is attractive in its own right, whether enjoyed as an elegant sipping drink or in a wild cocktail creation.

In this article, we will explore the intriguing past and unexpected present of vermouth and explain why The Epicurean Trader's curated vermouth collection is the perfect way to experience the versatile fortified wine. You cannot go wrong with it- whether mixed in with cocktails, straight, or given to a friend as a one-of-a-kind gift.

Understanding Vermouth: What Exactly is This Fortified Wine?

Vermouth is a fortified wine. It is fortified by adding grape spirit to a neutral white wine and then infused with a specific blend of herbs, spices, flowers, and fruits. These special ingredients give vermouth its unique and distinct aromatic profile.

The Fortification Process

The actual fortification of the wine is part preservation, as it helps stabilize the wine's shelf life. It is also the last opportunity to affect flavor by balancing out the sweetness, bitterness, and aromatic intensity of the tea's botanicals.

Possible botanicals include wormwood (from which the name vermouth is derived), chamomile, coriander, cinnamon, cloves, juniper, orange peel, and gentian root. The exact infusion will vary by producer and style; no two are identical. The result is countless flavor combinations.

Types of Vermouth

Sweet Vermouth (Rosso) : Generally from Italy, it is a deep ruby vermouth. It is complex, rich, and bittersweet, with caramel, vanilla, and warming spices. Some sweet vermouths are Carpano Antica Formula, Punt e Mes, etc.

Dry Vermouth: It is primarily French, pale, crisp, bitter, herbal, and citric. It is a classic Martini partner. For example, it is a Noilly Prat or a Dolin Dry.

Bianco (White) Vermouth : It is sweeter than dry Vermouth, but less sweet than the Rosso. It is lighter and more floral and is often enjoyed before, during, or after eating- on the rocks or in lighter cocktails.

Regional Variations and Traditions

Generally, Italian vermouths are sweeter, richer in body, and more complex and best suited to bolder cocktails such as the Negroni and the Manhattan. French vermouths are brighter with a lighter herbal bite, perfect for bright apéritifs and crisp Martinis. All styles and traditions bring value and options to the cocktail world, offering more styles for everyone.

Historical Journey: From Apéritif Staple to Near Obscurity and Back

In Europe in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Vermouth was an apéritif used both medicinally and socially. In a social capacity, it offered the drink a complexity of flavors that made it ideal as an ingredient in cocktails and paved the way for celebrated cocktails such as the Martini, the Manhattan, and the Negroni- famous representations of refinement and high culture. 

Challenges and Decline

In the time that followed the Second World War, primarily through the 1970s and '80s, consumers shifted tastes toward simple, ‘spirit-dominated’ cocktails. There was a powerful ramp-up of vodka popularity, and whisky drinkers jumped on pre-packaged sugar-riddled bandwagons. Wistful memories of gin martinis punched in the nose and seemed to send Vermouth behind the curtain.

Vermouth's natural qualities, such as its ability to be served cold, created challenges as it needed to be finished quickly. 

Current Revival

The craft cocktail renaissance has heralded a new dawn for Vermouth. Today's bartenders and consumers demand authentic, robust, complex flavors that Vermouth offers. Vermouth is gaining recognition as an elevated sipping drink and an exciting component of modern mixed drinks.

Vermouth’s Versatility: More Than Just a Martini Ingredient

Vermouth is more than just a historical martini component. Its versatility is remarkable for both drinkers and cooks.

Neat and On the Rocks

Drinking Vermouth while chilled neat, or over just a couple of rocks, allows your nose to appreciate the evolving aromas in the flavors while you sip. Add a garnish of a lemon twist, orange peel, or an olive, as most cocktail drinkers do, and you have significantly improved the taste experience. Drinking Vermouth this way allows you to experience the nuances you would have never noticed if it were mixed into your favorite cocktail.

Creative Cocktail Applications

Although cocktail classics remain tried-and-true staples for cocktail drinkers, Vermouth is inspiring multiple new cocktails and mixed drinks:

• Spritz-style drinks : Mix Vermouth and sparkling water and add a citrus garnish for a refreshing low-ABV drink.
• Vermouth Swaps : Although some classic cocktails have predetermined recipe components, many allow ingredient swaps to create new cocktails. For example, try the Bianco Vermouth for a lighter Negroni or try a sweet Vermouth for a smoky mezcal.
• Mocktails and Low ABV Drinks: Vermouth's complex flavors lend themselves to replacing spirits in sophisticated non-alcoholic cocktails.

Cooking with Vermouth

You've probably noticed Vermouth's herbal and floral notes, which makes it a great ingredient in cooking. It can brighten up sauces or reductions, contribute to the complexity of marinated meats, and enhance seafood. Before you cook, consider adding Vermouth to the pan sauce for a chicken, fish, or pork dish. You can also incorporate it into a dessert for a complex, subtle bitterness.

Crafting Creative Cocktails with Vermouth at Home

If you want to mix some vermouth cocktails, here is how to approach it:

Balancing sweetness and bitterness

Being aware of your vermouth profile is essential in balancing your cocktail. A sweet vermouth will complement darker spirits like whiskey or rum, but ensuring you have bitters involved will deepen your cocktail. Dry Vermouth will offer more with gin and citrus, and will be lighter and fresher if you want to get creative.

Simple Vermouth Cocktail Recipes

Let’s explore some new Vermouth cocktails:

Know the profile of your vermouth so you can balance your cocktail. Sweet vermouth works best with darker spirits. On the other hand, dry vermouth works with gin and citrus in lighter drinks. Here are a few simple recipes you can try:  

• Vermouth Spritz : Two ounces of vermouth, soda water to taste, garnished with an orange slice or herbs. 
• Vermouth Manhattan : Two ounces rye whiskey, one ounce sweet vermouth, two dashes Angostura bitters; stir and strain, garnish with a cherry.

Elevating Classics

Focus on styles you like and can see yourself making cocktails from. 

Once opened, store the vermouth in the fridge for optimal freshness, and use it within 2-3 weeks. A cocktail kit can include sweet vermouth, dry vermouth, bitters, spirits, fresh citrus, mixers, and garnishes to inspire mixing, drinking, and having fun.

Building Your Vermouth Collection: What to Look For in a Quality Cocktail Kit

We are thrilled to undertake the challenge of creating a comprehensive and versatile home collection and cocktail kit for dedicated vermouth aficionados.

Choosing the Right Vermouth

Pick vermouth styles that suit the cocktails you like the most and flavor profiles you enjoy. If you want sweeter, more Vermouth-forward cocktails, a sweet Rosso will likely suit you best. Opt for a dry or Bianco style in the crisp, dry camp. Many small producers create handcrafted recipes that have an outstanding, curated quality.

Storage Tips

Since Vermouth is a wine product, its freshness matters for all vermouths. Once opened, they are best kept in the refrigerator and should be used in 2-3 weeks so that the flavors and quality do not deteriorate. If your vermouth remains fresh, each sip and cocktail will be bright and delicious.

Complementary Ingredients

A versatile vermouth cocktail kit includes sweet and dry vermouth, aromatic bitters, complementary spirits, fresh citrus, simple mixers, and garnish- all of which can be used to create imaginative mixtures at any skill level. 

Discover The Epicurean Trader’s Curated Vermouth Collection and Cocktail Kits

The Epicurean Trader has curated a special collection of Vermouth that embodies craft, tradition, and experience. 

Curated quality and variety

We have sourced everything- from beautifully elegant French dry fernet-style Vermouth to complex Italian Rosso Vermouth to Vermouth made from unique ingredients. Each gram and bottle is chosen for its incredible botanical expression and artisan ethos. These vermouths cultivate an understanding of cocktail culture and offer endless possibilities for classic cocktails and new, diverse drinks!

Complete Cocktail kits

The Epicurean Trader has also thoughtfully curated cocktail kits, pairing premium spirits, craft vermouth, bitters, and mixers- essentially everything you need to host sophisticated social events or enjoy professional-caliber quiet nights at home.

Gifting Ideas

With premium vermouths and cocktail kits offered at The Epicurean Trader, you can explore the great flavor potential of Vermouth and your possibilities for mixing it with this delicious fortified wine.

Celebrate the Vermouth Comeback with Every Sip

Vermouth is showcasing its beauty and versatility, from its apéritif status to its current craft cocktail reputation- the magic is at your disposal. You can have it neat or in creative cocktails, and you'll find that adding vermouth will dramatically change your home bar.

Come to The Epicurean Trader, and explore amidst the excellent vermouth options, premium built cocktail kits that will elevate your drink.

Discover the rich flavors of vermouth and unlock endless cocktail possibilities. Visit The Epicurean Trader to find premium vermouth and expertly crafted cocktail kits that bring sophistication and creativity to your glass.