Drinks Wine 16 Vermouth Cocktails Everyone Should Know How to Make If you have a bottle of vermouth, the possibilities are (almost) endless. By Oset Babür-Winter Oset Babür-Winter Title: Senior Drinks Editor, Food & WineLocation: New York CityExperience: Oset Babür-Winter has completed the Wine and Spirits Education Trust's (WSET) Level 3 Award in wines and was previously the magazine's associate culture editor, where she edited Obsessions. Food & Wine's Editorial Guidelines Published on March 5, 2024 Close Photo: Chelsea Kyle / Food Styling by Drew Aichele No home bar is complete without a bottle or two of vermouth. This aromatized, fortified wine can be sipped on its own as a refreshing aperitif, but is also key to making a classic Martini (or, if you really feel like leaning into the world of vermouth, try your hand a 50-50 Martini). Vermouth is made all over the world, from Spain to Italy to France and beyond, and comes in dry, sweet, and semi-sweet styles. Versatile and complex, it works well in everything from a simple, two-ingredient spritz topped with club soda, to iconic cocktails like the Negroni, Vieux Carré, or Boulevardier. No matter where your vermouth journey takes you, be sure to store opened bottles in the refrigerator to maximize the fortified wine's shelf life. Read on to learn how to make some of our favorite vermouth cocktails. 01 of 16 Soft Arms Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon / Glasses from Mamo Dry Riesling and dry vermouth make this low-alcohol cocktail the perfect light way to start off a meal. Get the Recipe 02 of 16 Chrysanthemum Cocktail Matt Taylor-Gross The Chrysanthemum cocktail calls for a bittersweet blanc vermouth to help lengthen the drink and accentuate the herbal notes from the absinthe. A bit of Benedictine adds some body. Get the Recipe 03 of 16 Martini Matt Taylor-Gross Whether you're using gin or vodka to make a Martini, don't skip the dry vermouth. The ingredient is key to adding body and depth to this classic cocktail, while allowing the base spirit's more subtle aromas and flavors to shine through. Get the Recipe 04 of 16 Yuzu Amaro Spritz Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon This citrus-forward, herbaceous amaro spritz comes together in minutes, and calls for just a splash of dry vermouth. Get the Recipe 05 of 16 Be Cool Photo by Victor Protasio / Food Styling by Rishon Hanners / Prop Styling by Audrey Davis Hibiscus-infused sweet vermouth and Campari give this slushy cocktail its bright pink hue. Get the Recipe 06 of 16 Caprese Martini Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon At Jac's on Bond in New York City, the caprese salad-inspired Martini (balsamic vinegar, tomatoes, and all) calls for Lustau Blanco, a bitter and nutty vermouth from Jerez, Spain. Get the Recipe 07 of 16 Negroni Guillermo Riveros / Food Styling by Oset Babür-Winter One of the most iconic sweet vermouth cocktails, the boozy Negroni has inspired several riffs, including the viral Negroni Sbagliato. Get the Recipe 08 of 16 Rob Roy Chelsea Kyle / Food Styling by Drew Aichele The harmony of Scotch whiskey and sweet vermouth make this classic cocktail perfect for cold-weather sipping. Get the Recipe 09 of 16 Aperol Fizz Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon A perfect marriage of an egg cream and Aperol Spritz, this frothy cocktail from Jupiter in New York City calls for dry vermouth. Get the Recipe 10 of 16 Mother's Ruin Punch Chelsea Kyle / Food Styling by Drew Aichele If you think vermouth doesn't belong in punch, think again. The Mother's Ruin punch calls for gin, sparkling wine, and sweet vermouth for added complexity. Get the Recipe 11 of 16 Campari and Bourbon Cocktail Chelsea Kyle / Food Styling by Drew Aichele This cocktail calls for blanc vermouth, which is sweeter than dry vermouth, but not quite as sweet as red vermouth. White vermouth typically has a floral, rich flavor. Get the Recipe 12 of 16 Nocino Manhattan Chelsea Kyle / Food Styling by Drew Aichele Fans of the classic Manhattan will love this herbaceous upgrade that calls for nocino, an Italian walnut liqueur. Get the Recipe 13 of 16 Mr. J Frederick Hardy II / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Christine Keely Port-finished Scotch blends with coffee, sweet vermouth, and chocolate in this fireside-ready cocktail. Get the Recipe 14 of 16 Vieux Carré Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Lucy Simon Channel the decadence and debauchery of Prohibition-era New Orleans with a classic Vieux Carré. We like to use Cinzano Rosso to make our recipe, but you can use any other sweet vermouth as well. Get the Recipe 15 of 16 Rocky Mountain Wizard Jennifer Causey / Food Styling by Margaret Monroe Dickey / Prop Styling by Claire Spollen Potato vodka, yellow Chartreuse, and Italian white vermouth make this a must-try balanced, lightly herbaceous Martini for vodka fans. Get the Recipe 16 of 16 Boulevardier Matt Taylor-Gross / Food Styling by Oset Babür-Winter The whiskey lover's Negroni calls for equal parts of bourbon, Campari, and sweet vermouth. Get the Recipe Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit