Vermouth Cocktail
A 19th-century classic showcasing sweet vermouth as the primary spirit.
Base spirit
Vermouth
Style
Aperitif
Glassware
Coupe
Technique
Stir
The Vermouth Cocktail is a relic of the era when vermouth was drunk neat or with minimal modification. It treats sweet vermouth as the base spirit, stirring it with Angostura bitters and a touch of maraschino or curaçao. It brings out the complex botanicals of the fortified wine—vanilla, wormwood, and spices—that are often lost when mixed with whiskey. It is a gentle, aromatic aperitif.
Ingredients
Servings
- • 2.5 oz sweet vermouth (Italian style)
- • 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- • 1 dash Maraschino liqueur (optional)
Did you know?
“This was one of the first 'cocktails' (spirit, sugar, water, bitters) to use a wine base, appearing in manuals as early as 1869.”
Source:Coolidge, 1869; Wondrich, Imbibe!
Bartender's Note
Dilution is key; because vermouth is lower proof than whiskey, be careful not to over-dilute with wet ice.
Missing a bottle? See smart swaps in Learn.
How to make the Vermouth Cocktail
- 1Add sweet vermouth, Angostura bitters, and dash Maraschino liqueur to a mixing glass filled with ice
- 2Stir until well chilled
- 3Strain into a Coupe
- 4Garnish with lemon twist and serve
