Vermouth is an aromatized, fortified wine that is flavored with a variety of botanicals such as roots, barks, flowers, seeds, herbs, and spices. It is sometimes colored and typically has an alcohol content around 15-18% due to fortification with additional distilled spirits
. There are two main traditional styles of vermouth:
- Sweet (red/rosso) : Originating in Italy, this style is spiced, herbal, and sweet. It is commonly used in cocktails like the Manhattan and Negroni, as well as served as an aperitif
- Dry (white) : Originating in France, this style is pale, dry, and floral, famously used in martinis. It has less sugar and a more bitter profile
Vermouth is made by starting with a base of neutral grape wine or unfermented grape must, which is then fortified with alcohol and infused with a proprietary blend of botanicals. It is sweetened with cane sugar or caramelized sugar depending on the style
. Historically, vermouth was used for medicinal purposes but evolved into a popular aperitif and cocktail ingredient from the 18th century onward, especially in Turin, Italy, where the first sweet vermouth was created around 1786
. The name "vermouth" comes from the French pronunciation of the German word Wermut , meaning wormwood, a key bitter herb traditionally used in its production
. In addition to being consumed neat or on the rocks, vermouth is widely used in classic cocktails and can also be used as a cooking ingredient as an alternative to white wine
. In summary, vermouth is a fortified, flavored wine with a complex botanical profile, available mainly in sweet and dry styles, and is essential in many classic cocktails and aperitif traditions.
