Vermouth: What It Is & How To Drink It

With more people searching for low-ABV drink options, vermouth is making a comeback in a big way! For many, MARTINI’s vermouth is an ingredient in their favourite sips, from martini cocktails to negronis to manhattans. But vermouth is the original aperitif, often enjoyed on the rocks, neat or with juice and soda for a light sipper that boast big flavours. We chatted with MARTINI brand ambassador, Caledonia Wright, to learn more about this unsung cocktail hero! —Noa Nichol

Hi Caledonia, please tell us a bit about yourself to start.

I am a brand account manager for BACARDI Canada and am based in Toronto. In addition to my role working with brands including MARTINI, I’m a bar consultant, and a mentor to the next generation of bartenders. After more than 18 years as a professional bartender, I started to forge my own style in the food and beverage industry. My culinary reputation is built on a foundation of innovative skills refined from creating bespoke, award-winning cocktails. I have extensive knowledge in the history of craft and classic cocktails, spirits, beer, and wine.

Vermouth: for those who don’t know, what is it and what makes it unique in the world of spirits?

Starting with the basics, Vermouth is 75 per cent wine. It’s fortified with alcohol (usually a neutral grain spirit) to preserve and enhance the wines natural flavours and prevent additional fermentation. MARTINI is currently the No. 1 vermouth brand in the world and each vermouth in the portfolio is made using natural ingredients infused using their unique signature method to extract all the richness of up to 40 hand-selected botanicals. Vermouths can use a diverse array of botanicals, but the one herb that must be found in each Vermouth is wormwood. Vermouth’s versatility allows it to play with any spirit, in any style of cocktail, high or low ABV. It’s rich and complex, but still supports all the other ingredients in the drink, and balanced enough to be sipped on its own, or over a cube of ice.

Why do you think vermouth’s popularity is on the rise?

This could be another positive result of the pandemic. People couldn’t go to bars, so they started learning how to make cocktails at home. MARTINI vermouths are the key ingredient in hundreds of classic cocktails, and for those just starting out it should be staple on the home bar (but kept in the fridge). We’re also seeing more and more people gravitate towards mindful consumption. Vermouth is the original low-ABV aperitif which makes it perfect for light sipping when mixed with tonic or soda water.

What are some of the best ways to enjoy vermouth? Do you have a favourite cocktail recipe you could share?

History provides us countless cocktails with vermouth, tried and true recipes dating back to MARTINI inception 159 years ago. Work your way through classic recipes like the Negroni Spagliato, Manhattan and Americano. If low ABV is your thing, try MARTINI vermouth with soda. As I write this, I am sipping on MARTINI Rosso Vermouth and chilled apple cider: the sweet style of vermouth gives richness and complexity, and since its grape based, the drink is like an elevated fruit punch. Perfect for an autumn afternoon. To make it, mix two parts MARTINI Rosso Vermouth with two parts cold pressed organic apple cider and serve with ice!

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