Are you a wine lover looking to expand into liquors? Have you recently been given a bottle of vermouth, or picked one up on a whim? 

Vermouth is a multifaceted beverage with many uses, from cooking to apéritifs. Here, we explore exactly what vermouth is, and how best to use it — complete with a list of 15 incredible drinks that highlight vermouth. 

What is Vermouth?

Vermouth is a fortified wine that is commonly infused with herbs and other botanicals. The drink originated in Turin, Italy, in the 18th century; since then, it has been consumed as an apéritif, in cocktails, and as a white wine alternative in many recipes. 

The process of making vermouth begins with a base grape wine. Vermouth producers will then add alcohol along with the herbs, roots, barks, or florals. This mixture may then be redistilled and sweetened. The end product is usually bottled at around 16% to 18% ABV. 

How does Vermouth Taste?

There are two main varieties of vermouth: dry and sweet. Dry vermouth is generally crisper, and more sour, similar to white wine. Sweet vermouth on the other hand has a subtle sweetness and more of an herbal spice. Alternatives to these two main varieties include amber, rosé, sweet white, and more. 

Depending on what kind of vermouth you like or you have, you can make dozens of different cocktails. Below are 18 of the best drinks you can make with this fortified wine.

The Best Drinks You Can Make With Vermouth

Classic Martini

One of the most elegant drinks out there, the martini is fairly simple to make. The invention of the martini is usually attributed to a bartender at the Knickerbocker Hotel in New York City in the 1910s. It is traditionally made with dry vermouth, along with gin. 

For this recipe, you will need 2 ½ oz dry gin, ½ oz dry vermouth, and olives or a lemon for garnishing. A general rule of thumb for the martini is that it should have a 5:1 gin to vermouth ratio. 

1. Fill a mixing glass with crushed ice.
2. Pour in the dry gin and dry vermouth.
3. Stir until well-chilled, or for about 30 seconds.
4. Strain into a martini glass or coupe.
5. Garnish with a twist of lemon or a couple olives.

Manhattan

Another classic, booze-forward cocktail, the Manhattan dates back to at least 1882, though rumor has it that it was first created for Jennie Churchill, Winston Churchill’s American mother. This cocktail is one that calls for sweet vermouth.

To make a Manhattan, gather ice, 2 oz of rye whiskey, 1 oz of sweet vermouth, 2 dashes of Angostura bitters, and a maraschino cherry to garnish.

1. Chill a coupe for serving.
2. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
3. Add the rye whiskey, sweet vermouth, and Angostura bitters, and stir. 
4. Strain into the chilled coupe and garnish with the cherry.

Negroni

A classic Negroni has equal parts of gin, vermouth, and Campari, though modern takes on this cocktail have altered the ratios slightly. But this drink is all about balance, so here we have the recipe to the original Negroni — Bon Appétit has a good variation on the recipe, though, if the 1:1:1 ratio isn’t to your liking. 

You will need 1 oz of gin, 1 oz of sweet vermouth, and 1 oz of Campari to make a Negroni, along with ice and a slice of orange. 

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice. 
2. Pour in the gin, vermouth, and Campari. 
3. Stir until well-chilled, or for about 30 seconds.
4. Strain into a tumbler with fresh ice, and garnish with an orange slice.

Negroni Sbagliato

Maybe you remember when the internet was freaking out over House of the Dragon star Emma D’Arcy’s favorite cocktail: the Negroni Sbagliato (with Prosecco in it), a sexy take on the classic Negroni.

This recipe, which literally means a ‘mistaken’ Negroni, requires 1 oz of sweet vermouth, 1 oz of Campari, and 1 oz of Prosecco or another sparkling wine. Our version is served in a champagne flute, though this also tastes delicious on the rocks. 

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
2. Pour in the vermouth and Campari. 
3. Stir until well-chilled, or for about 30 seconds.
4. Strain into a champagne flute, and top with Prosecco or another sparkling wine.

Adonis

Delicate and aromatic, the Adonis is easy to make and easy to drink. Like many other classic cocktails, this drink hails from the Waldorf-Astoria hotel in New York City, in honor of the (at the time) longest-running Broadway musical of the same name. 

For the Adonis, you will need just 1 ½ oz of fino sherry, 1 ½ oz of sweet vermouth, and an orange peel for garnish.

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice. 
2. Add the fino sherry and sweet vermouth.
3. Stir until well-chilled, or for about 30 seconds.
4. Strain into a coupe, and garnish with the orange peel. 

Vieux Carré

French for ‘old square,’ the Vieux Carré is named after New Orleans’ French quarter. It is a mix of French, Italian, and American influences, a perfect amalgamation of the city’s history. Warning: this drink is pretty strong.

To make it, you’ll need ¾ oz of rye whiskey, ¾ oz cognac, ¾ oz sweet vermouth, 2 teaspoons of Benedictine liqueur, 4 dashes of of pimento aromatic bitters, and a maraschino cherry or lemon twist.

1. Fill a mixing glass with ice. 
2. Add the rye whiskey, cognac, vermouth, Benedictine liqueur, and aromatic bitters.
3. Stir until well-chilled, or for about 30 seconds.
4. Strain into a tumbler or rocks glass.
5. Garnish with the lemon twist or cherry or both. 

Django Reinhardt

A bright daytime cocktail named for a Belgian jazz guitarist, the Django Reinhardt is a versatile drink with a low proof. Forget the mimosa — this should be your new go-to brunch drink. 

This lively cocktail calls for 3 oz dry vermouth, ¾ oz freshly-squeezed lemon juice, ¾ oz simple syrup, and 3 orange slices.

Pour the vermouth, lemon juice, and simple syrup into a cocktail shaker.

Place 2 orange slices into the shaker and muddle.

Fill the shaker with ice and shake until well-chilled (when the outside is cold to the touch).

Double-strain into a rocks glass or tumbler already filled with ice.

Garnish with the last orange slice.

Boulevardier

A rich cocktail perfect for fans of the Negroni and whiskey, the Boulevardier is simple yet classic. Named after a literary magazine named The Boulevardier, it is unclear whether this drink was inspired by the Negroni or if it was imagined independently.

To enjoy a Boulevardier, you will need 1 ½ oz bourbon, ¾ oz sweet vermouth, ¾ oz Campari, and an orange peel for garnish.

1. Chill a cocktail glass. 
2. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
3. Pour the bourbon, vermouth, and Campari into the glass. 
4. Stir until well-chilled, or for about 30 seconds.
5. Strain into the cocktail glass, and garnish with an orange twist. 

Rob Roy

The Rob Roy is another cocktail that originated at the Waldorf-Astoria. It’s basically a Manhattan, but with Scotch whiskey instead of rye whiskey. However, this seductive beverage is still a must-try.

The Rob Roy requires 1 ½ oz Scotch whiskey, ¾ oz sweet vermouth, and 2 dashes of bitters. You will also need a maraschino cherry for garnish. 

1. Chill a cocktail glass.
2. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
3. Pour in the whiskey, vermouth, and bitters.
4. Stir until well-chilled, or for about 30 seconds.
5. Strain into the chilled glass and garnish. 

Hanky Panky

A swanky, balanced cocktail, the Hanky Panky was a favorite of Americans who fled to Europe during Prohibition. 

The recipe for the Hanky Panky calls for 1 ½ oz gin, 1 ½ oz sweet vermouth, and 2 dashes of Fernet-Branca (Italian bitters), along with an orange twist.

1. Chill a cocktail glass.
2. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
3. Pour in the gin, vermouth, and Fernet-Branca.
4. Stir until well-chilled, or for about 30 seconds.
5. Strain into the chilled cocktail glass and garnish with the twist.

Bijou

French for ‘jewel,’ the Bijou cocktail is a gem to the senses. Yet another sweet vermouth recipe, this drink differs in its use of green Chartreuse, an herbal liqueur first made by Carthusian monks. 

To make a Bijou, you will need 1 ½ oz gin, 1 oz sweet vermouth, ¾ oz green Chartreuse, and 2 dashes orange bitters. You can also garnish with a maraschino cherry if you so choose.

1. Chill a Nick & Nora glass or coupe.
2. Fill a mixing glass with ice.
3. Pour in the gin, vermouth, Chartreuse, and orange bitters.
4. Stir until well-chilled, or for about 30 seconds.
5. Strain into the Nick & Nora or coupe, and garnish with a cherry (optional). 

Blood and Sand

The 1922 silent bullfighter film Blood and Sand was the inspiration for this blood-orange drink. Made from a fairly confounding mix of ingredients, the Blood and Sand nevertheless works extremely well, though it has the color of blood seeping into sand. 

The Blood and Sand calls for ¾ oz scotch, ¾ oz sweet vermouth, ¾ oz cherry liqueur, ¾ oz freshly-squeezed orange juice, and an orange peel twist. 

1. Chill a coupe or cocktail glass.
2. Fill a shaker with ice, then pour in the scotch, vermouth, cherry liqueur, and orange juice.
3. Shake until well-chilled.
4. Strain into the chilled coupe or cocktail glass.
5. Garnish with the orange twist.

The Bronx

First Manhattan, now the Bronx — New York City’s boroughs are truly popular in the world of cocktail names. The Bronx cocktail is sour, sweet, and boozy, and was rumored to have been named after the Bronx Zoo. Regardless of its origins, it is a fruity take on the martini.

To make a Bronx, gather 2 oz gin, ¼ oz dry vermouth, ¼ oz sweet vermouth, 1 oz freshly-squeezed orange juice, and 1 dash of orange bitters.

1. Chill a cocktail glass. 
2. Fill a shaker with ice, and pour in the gin, vermouth, orange juice, and bitters.
3. Shake until well-chilled.
4. Double-strain into the cocktail glass.

Americano

Famously the first drink that James Bond orders in Ian Fleming’s Casino Royale novel, the Americano is an Italian cocktail known for its popularity with Americans. Some even consider it the predecessor of the Negroni. 

For the Americano, you will need 1 ½ oz Campari, 1 ½ oz sweet vermouth, chilled soda water, and an orange twist for garnish. 

1. Fill a highball glass with ice.
2. Pour in the Campari and vermouth.
3. Top with chilled soda water and stir to combine.
4. Garnish with the orange twist.

Garden Gin & Tonic

This recipe from renowned bartender Jamie Gordon is a summery take on the classic gin & tonic, perfect for g&t lovers who want to spread their wings. 

To make Gordon’s Garden Gin & Tonic, you will need 1 ½ oz gin, ½ oz sweet vermouth, 2 dashes orange bitters, tonic water, and slices of cucumber, grapefruit, lemon, and strawberry, along with lavender, to garnish. 

1. Pour the gin, vermouth, and orange bitters into a goblet or wine glass. 
2. Add ice, then top with tonic water.
3. Garnish with cucumber slices, a wheel of grapefruit and lemon, strawberry, and a sprig of lavender.

Loved learning about vermouth? Visit Distillery Nearby for more information on all kinds of liquor and distilleries near you.