March 21st - World Vermouth Day!

Spring is here, meaning flowers are blooming, warmer weather is approaching, and vermouth bottles are pouring. While the last item may surprise you, World Vermouth Day is actually celebrated across the globe today and every year on March 21st.

What is Vermouth, exactly?

Vermouth is a fortified wine (meaning a distilled spirit has been added to it) that has been infused with botanicals, herbs, and spices. Vermouth was first invented in Milan, Italy during the 18th century and was initially used for medicinal purposes, though it quickly grew in popularity as an alcoholic beverage. Now it is served across the globe year-round, but especially in the Spring time.

Vermouth typically has a pungent taste, depending on the type of flavoring incorporated. The fortified wine is broken down into two types which we will compare below.

Dry Vermouth vs. Sweet Vermouth

Both types of vermouth are well worth a taste and are often incorporated into a myriad of craft and classic cocktail recipes.

Dry vermouths are typically infused with botanicals. They offer a lighter, herbal, and slightly savory flavor that pairs exceptionally well with citrus fruits like lemons or oranges. Thanks to its bitter taste, it is also a key ingredient to make martinis.

On the other hand, sweeter vermouth varieties boast a richer flavor, highlighting notes of caramel and vanilla. You can sip it on its own over rocks with a lemon peel as garnish. It also makes a terrific addition to cocktails due to its natural sweetness.

Best Cocktails Featuring Vermouth

The intriguing wine makes a stellar addition to your bar collection since you may use it to craft delicious boozy beverages. Below are a couple of tasty cocktail recipes featuring vermouth that you will want to make at home:

The "Martini"

You can never go wrong drinking a good ol’ classic martini, which has pleased the tastebuds of millions since it was first crafted in the late 1880s.

Ingredients:

• 2 ½ oz Gin (or Vodka if you prefer)

• ¾ oz Dolin Dry Vermouth

• 1 dash orange bitters

Instructions:

Stir all the ingredients over ice, then strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a lemon twist.

The "Negroni"

This iconic Italian cocktail is one of our team favorites, especially during Negroni week.

Ingredients:

• 1 oz Gin (mezcal also works)

• 1 oz Campari

• 1 oz Sweet Vermouth

Instructions:

Stir all the ingredients over ice, then strain into a double rocks glass over fresh ice. Garnish with an orange twist.