Vermouth
Vermouth is a fortified wine used to make cocktails. It is flavored with various botanicals, including herbs, spices and sometimes fruits. Vermouth comes in two main styles – Sweet Vermouth and Dry Vermouth – and one extra – Blanc Vermouth.
Sweet Vermouth (also known as Red or Italian) is characterized by its rich and sweet flavor profile. Sweet vermouth is often reddish-brown in color and has a fuller body. it is used in The Manhattan, Negroni, Martinez and many other cocktails.
Dry Vermouth (sometimes referred to as White or French) has a lighter and less sweet taste. Dry vermouth is pale in color and has a crisp and herbal character. It can be found in many classic cocktails such as The Martini, Gibson and Scofflaw.
Bianco Vermouth (sometimes called Blanc) is less common and lies somewhere in the middle – sweeter than dry vermouth but not quite as sweet as red. It can be – and is – substituted for sweet or dry in many cocktails.
Quick Trick – Most Vermouth bottles are colored Red for Sweet and Green for Dry, or have the words Red and Green on the label. To remember one from the other, simply remember “Valentine’s Day” – the color of Valentine’s Day is Red and the day is for you Sweetheart. Yeah, it’s silly — But, trust me, you won’t forget it. (You are on your own for Bianco. Sorry.)
♦♦♦
