Category:Majestic Guides

International Vermouth Day: Rediscover Your Love for Vermouth

We’re celebrating International Vermouth Day by discovering all there is to know about the delicious fortified wine. From how it’s made to why it’s such a crucial ingredient in so many of our favourite cocktails - and how to use it in your spring creations.

International Vermouth Day falls annually on the 21 of March. A day to celebrate and rediscover the age-old beverage, which we’ve been enjoying as an apéritif or in our favourite cocktails, such as Martini, Manhattan, and Negroni, for years.

So what is vermouth?

Vermouth is a fortified wine, flavoured with various botanicals, such as fruit, florals, and spices. This can vary from region to region, depending on what’s grown locally; similarly, the main grape used to make the base wine can also vary.

Vermouth’s beginnings can be traced back to the 18th Century (if not before), when the Romans made wormwood-infused wines.

The first commercial Italian version of Vermouth can be traced back to the 18th Century but it’s thought that many had been experimenting with similar spirits in centuries prior to this. Previously, Vermouth was known as ‘Wermut’, the German word for ‘wormwood’, which happens to be a defining ingredient in the infused wine.

Vermouth can be made in a variety of styles, some are sweet and spiced, others are more herbaceous and bitter. It’s the bartenders job to select the perfect vermouth to complement the spirits and other flavours of the cocktails they create.

Welcoming in spring with these classic vermouth cocktails

With spring just around the corner, it’s time to rediscover your love for vermouth. The perfect ingredient in light and refreshing cocktails, thanks to its fruit and floral notes.

Sweet Manhattan

If you prefer your cocktails more on the sweeter side, rather than dry, you can swap out the white vermouth for a sweeter red one, like we do here, with the Australian Regal Rogue Bold Red Vermouth, made from Shiraz, with flavours of orange, cherry and cinnamon. Finish with a maraschino cherry and even a dash of the syrup for extra decadence.

The Boulevardier

The Boulevardier cocktail is a bold twist on the Negroni, created in the 1920s in Paris. To craft this exquisite drink, we combine bourbon, Campari, and Australian Regal Rogue Bold Red Vermouth. The result is a perfectly balanced drink, with rich, smoky whiskey, bittersweet Campari, and sweet vermouth.

Add 50ml of bourbon, 25ml of Campari, and 25ml vermouth in a mixing glass with ice
Stir until well-chilled, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass or over a large ice cube
Garnish with a twist of orange peel

El Presidente

The El Presidente cocktail is a classic Cuban specialty, which became popular during the 1920s. Many say it was created by an American bartender, at the Jockey Club in Havana, and named after President Mario García Menocal. Using spiced rum, Cointreau, and just a touch of sweet vermouth, El Presidente is a zesty and sweet, refreshing cocktail, with a touch of Latin flair.

Combine 50ml of spiced rum, 25ml of Cointreau, and 10ml of sweet vermouth in a mixing glass with ice
Stir until well-chilled, then strain into a chilled cocktail glass
Garnish with a twist of orange peel.

Negroni

There are many iterations of the Negroni, a classic cocktail dating back to the 1900s, combining gin, vermouth, and Campari. In fact, before the Negroni, was the Americano, a vermouth and Campari based drink, topped with soda for a refreshing apéritif that doesn’t pack quite the punch. These days, bartenders like to get creative with the drink, experimenting with different ingredients and vermouths, to bring a unique twist to the humble Negroni.

Add equal measures (25-30ml) of Dry Gin, Campari, and Sweet vermouth into a mixing glass, filled with ice
Stir until well-chilled
Strain into a glass over one large ice cube
Garnish with Orange peel

Some people even like to top a classic Negroni with Prosecco, called a Spagliato.