Vermouth

The gentlemen's drink – vermouth, aka wormwood wine – was undeservedly forgotten some time ago, but was able to restore the status of one of the most original and sophisticated wine drinks in the world. This is good news! But to get real pleasure, one alcoholic drink is not enough. It is also important to know how to drink it correctly and, most importantly, when. We have already revealed all the secrets of wormwood wine. Do you want to know them? Join us! Recipes for the most popular vermouth cocktails are included.

Vermouth – what kind of drink and where does it come from?

It is a fortified wine with a characteristic taste and aroma of various aromatic herbs and spices. The basic component of vermouth is wormwood. It is to her that the drink owes its name 'vermouth' (Wikipedia – translated from German Wermut means 'wormwood'). Wormwood wine has been known to mankind for over 2 thousand years! It was already popular in Ancient Greece and Ancient Rome. In those ancient times, vermouth was considered a medicinal drug and was taken in limited doses. And Hippocrates invented it, adding several medicinal herbs with an exquisite aroma to ordinary wine. He considered vermouth a panacea for depression and digestive problems, as well as an excellent tonic. But it was not quite the drink that is familiar to us today.

The main component of vermouth is wormwood, since ancient times known to mankind as a medicinal plant.

The recipe for modern vermouth was created in the 18th century in Turin. It was Italy that became the country where, in addition to being used for medicinal purposes, the drink received other uses. Italian vermouth, for example, was used as an aperitif. But the story did not end there! Already in the 20th century, vermouth was actively used by bartenders in the preparation of alcoholic cocktails and was a huge success among the regulars. Perhaps for these reasons, traditional wormwood wine is prepared today according to the Italian recipe.

Vermouth composition

In addition to the essential ingredient – wormwood – this drink also contains other medicinal herbs (mint, yarrow). It may also contain black elderberry. Manufacturers do not forget to add aromatic spices that improve the taste of the drink (nutmeg, cinnamon, cardamom). All listed components are typical for high quality vermouths.

Many different varieties of vermouth are produced in the world today.

Of course, different producers reserve the right to make changes to the wormwood wine recipe. So, on the label, you can see the following names: oregano, St. John's wort, chamomile, rosemary, lemon balm, ginger, elecampane and others. But such components only enhance the beneficial properties of a gentleman's drink.

How to drink vermouth

When?

Vermouth is one of those rare alcoholic beverages that can be consumed throughout the day. The aperitif status allows it. But it is not customary to drink it before breakfast – this is due to the strength of the drink.

Separately, it should be said about bitter. Because of its rich, bittersweet taste, it is classified as a digestive. And therefore, it is served to improve digestion only after meals, or it is used as the base component of some of the cocktails.

Glass or glass?

Initially, vermouth was poured into whiskey glasses, but in the 20th century special triangular glasses were created for martinis (the so-called cocktail glasses).

Martini or cocktails based on vermouth are usually poured into triangular glasses

How and with what to mix?

It directly depends on the taste of the drink. If it is delicate and has a mild herbal taste, then you can add only a few drops of water, ice cubes or a slice of lemon to the glass. This will be quite enough to reveal the aroma of vermouth and feel all its charm. Wormwood wine with a rich, spicy taste is best used in multilayer cocktails or diluted with fruit juice.

Cocktails based on vermouth, as well as its combination with juices, lemonades, soda will easily cheer you up and relieve stress

It should also be noted that it is preferable to drink vermouth chilled. The only exception is Rosso. If you didn't have time to put the drink in the refrigerator in advance, and the guests are already on the doorstep, it's okay. The situation will be saved by ordinary ice cubes. As beautiful additives, you can use an olive, a slice of lemon, frozen or fresh fruits, berries with a sweet and sour taste and a bright aroma.

Types of vermouth

Besides Italy, vermouths are also produced in France, USA, Spain, Russia, Moldova, Argentina, Bulgaria and other countries of the world. Despite this, Italian and French brands of wormwood wine are the most respected by fans of the drink. The first of them are known for their softness, while the latter are made on the basis of dry wine, and therefore have a drier and more astringent taste, herbaceous aroma. Classic Italian vermouth varieties are: Bacardi-Martini, Barbero, Campari, Cinzano, Ricadonna, Carpano, Gancia. French Vermouth: Bussot, Lillet, Noilly Prat. There is also Crimean vermouth.

Russian brand of vermouth, produced at the Crimean wine and brandy factory Bakhchisarai

Today producers delight us with a variety of available flavors and colors of the tart but pleasant wormwood wine so beloved by millions of people. Let's try to understand this abundance of proposals.

Sweet vermouth

They are white, golden or red. The intensity of the wine shade will tell you about the taste of the selected drink. There is nothing difficult here!

Sweet Rosso vermouth with pleasant red color

White vermouth has a delicate taste, the bitterness in it is barely perceptible. Red vermouth has a bright wormwood aroma. Its taste is more intense. Oddly enough, sweet vermouth is equally loved by men and women. True, the fair sex still prefers a more delicate wormwood wine of white or golden color.

Dry vermouth

They are exclusively white. They are slightly softer than sweet ones, but there is a distinct bitterness in the taste. This drink is preferred by men.

How many degrees are in vermouth

The strength of sweet (sweet) – 16%. In dry (dry and extra dry) – 18%. In bitter – up to 25%.

Vermouth varieties

Wine professionals distinguish 5 varieties of vermouth:

1. Secco is a dry vermouth with only 4% sugar.
2. Bianco is a white wormwood wine. Sugar in its composition is 10-15%.
3. Rosso is a red, sweet vermouth. The sugar content in it exceeds 15%.
4. Rose – pink vermouth. The amount of sugar in its composition ranges between Bianco and Rosso.
5. Bitter – has a rich, bitter taste. Used in cocktails or as a digestif.

Martini

This drink deserves special attention, as it ranks first in popularity among vermouths in the world. It borrowed its name from the Martini & Rossi winery in Turin.

Different types of martinis

To date, experts distinguish the following types of this drink:

• Rosso is the first martini to be created with a distinctive red color. Known to the world since 1862. Vermouth Rosso has a sweetish taste with a slight bitterness, differs from similar ones in the pronounced aroma of tea. It is used with lemon or juice, as well as ice cubes.
• Bianco is a straw-colored drink with a sophisticated taste. Has a delicate aroma, complemented by a subtle hint of spices and vanilla. The bitterness is almost invisible. Bianco vermouth is used in combination with lemon or ice, as well as soda or lemonade. It is permissible to add a tonic. Manufactured since 1910.
• Rosato – differs in pink color. Both red and white wine is used in its production. The drink has been around since 1980. This vermouth cannot be forgotten, because it has a rather delicate taste, enhanced by the luxurious aroma of cloves and cinnamon.
• D'Oro – This martini successfully combines white wine with fruity flavors of citrus, honey, vanilla and nutmeg. This type of drink appeared relatively recently, in 1998. He is especially loved in the Nordic countries – by the inhabitants of Germany, Denmark, Switzerland.
• Fiero – went on sale in 1998 (it was created in accordance with the preferences of the inhabitants of the Benelux). Has a citrus aroma. The distinctive feature of this drink is the pronounced taste of sweet red oranges, which gives it a unique appeal in the eyes of martini fans.
• Extra Dry has been known since 1900. Compared to Rosso, it has a similar color, but has a brighter aroma. The enticing taste is given by notes of raspberry, iris and lemon. The drink has an unusual combination of sugar and alcohol for vermouths – 2.8 and 18%, respectively. It is drunk in its pure form, but is more often used as a base component in cocktails.
• Gold – its composition includes dry white wine, complemented by various herbs, aromatic fruits and notable spices from around the world (Sicilian citrus peel, ginger from India, Spanish saffron and much more). The original packaging design of this vermouth was created by the legendary clothing designer duo Dolce and Gabbana.

Martini is used as an independent drink, as well as in numerous cocktails based on it. Martini Rosso (red martini) is usually mixed with fruit (lemon, cherry, pineapple) juices in a 2: 1 ratio, respectively. Martini Bianco is often combined with soda, tonic or lemonade in a 1: 1 ratio. It is traditionally served chilled.

Martini is found in many popular alcoholic cocktails.

But Martini Extra Dry is usually used to create various cocktails. Although sometimes other sorts of martini are taken, according to the recipe, the taste of a particular client or the bartender himself.

Vermouth cocktail recipes

'Fifty fifty'

Cocktails based on vermouth 'Fifty-fifty' are classic cocktails. To obtain it, fill a mixing glass with ice cubes, add 1.5 parts of gin and 1.5 parts of dry vermouth there. Stir the ingredients with a spoon and pour into a glass through a special strainer (strainer). Finally, garnish with olive.

'Dirty Martini'

Pour 70 ml of vodka or gin, 10 ml of Extra Dry (or Secco) vermouth and 10 ml of olive brine into a mixing glass. Then add ice cubes to it. Mix everything well for a few minutes with a cocktail spoon. Pour into a glass, garnish with olive.

'Vodkatini'

Remember the James Bond movie? 'Martini with vodka, please. Shake, but don't stir! ' Yes, yes, it was the cocktail with vermouth 'Vodkatini' (called 'Vesper' in the film) that became the favorite cocktail of the legendary agent 007. But this drink is popular not only in the movies.

The famous cocktail from the legendary agent James Bond – martini with vodka – mix, but do not shake

How to make a vodka-vermouth cocktail? Fill a glass with ice cubes to the brim, stir with a spoon and drain the resulting water. Add 20 ml of dry martini and 80 ml of vodka to the container. Stir everything with a cocktail spoon. And then pour into a pre-chilled martini glass through strainers. Don't forget to garnish your vermouth cocktail with a green olive by tossing it straight into the gourmet drink.

'Perfect Martini'

Fill the glass to the top with pieces of ice. Pour 50 ml of gin, 10 ml of Martini Extra Dry and 10 ml of Martini Rosso here. Mix the ingredients in a glass with a cocktail spoon. Pour into a glass through a strainer. A cocktail cherry or orange peel spiral is suitable as decoration.

'Americano'

It is a classic cocktail based on vermouth. It was created especially for men! Mix 30 ml sweet vermouth and 30 ml campari, pour into a Highball. Fill the container to the brim with ice cubes. Mix everything well with a cocktail spoon. Top up with soda. Top with a slice (circle) of orange and squeeze a few drops of lemon zest into the cocktail. The latter can also be used as a decoration.

'Bianco Sunrise' (Bianca cocktail)

Fill a mixing glass to the brim with ice. Add Bianco vermouth in an amount of 50 ml, as well as 75 ml of orange (you can fresh) and cranberry juice. Stir with a spoon. You can add orange slices to cocktails with Bianco vermouth as a decoration.

'Girlfriend of the gangster'

Toss a few ice cubes into a deep glass, then pour 45 ml of dry vermouth, add about 10 ml of orange liqueur, add 25 ml of gin and 120 ml of orange juice. A pleasant feature of the cocktail is its unusual aftertaste.

'Royal cross'

Mix 20 ml of Bianco vermouth, 20 ml of whiskey, 10 ml of lemon juice and 50 ml of peach juice in a shaker and pour into a glass. These cocktails with vermouth differ in strength, but it is successfully masked by a pleasant combination of fruit juices.

Finally

Many famous cocktails are created on the basis of this premium drink. Vermouth is chosen by successful, self-confident men who prefer luxurious surroundings around them. It is known that vermouth was the favorite drink of Franklin Roosevelt, Frank Sinatra, Winston Churchill, Humphrey Bogart. Some of them drank wormwood wine as an independent drink, others drank as part of their favorite cocktails. What you prefer and what to drink with vermouth is a matter of personal choice. But in any case, vermouth will not only brighten up life, give pleasant impressions, but also improve health, and also emphasize the status of a successful man.

Maybe you have more recipes for making an excellent mix with wormwood wine? Share in the comments! Buon appetito!