The best vermouth cocktails for the holidays

James Bond prefers it mixed with gin in a dry martini, but vermouth can also be served pure, over ice, or mixed. In addition to a variety of serving options, vermouth offers a multitude of flavors and complex flavors. That’s why it’s so popular with bartenders.

tickle the palate

The basis of vermouth is wine with numerous herbs and spices for flavor and alcohol for fortification. Major manufacturers now also offer non-alcoholic lines.

There is a wide variety of styles and all colors, namely white, pink and red, from bone dry to sour to sugary sweet. The name wormwood comes from the wormwood plant (Artemisia absinthium), which contains many bitter substances and essential oils and is therefore said to have appetizing properties. The best conditions for a finely flavored pre-dinner drink in Advent.

Classics from Belpaese

The origins of Italian vermouth can be traced back to a Turin pharmacy from the late 18th century. It was hard to imagine back then that vermouth would have a global career and become an integral part of the global cocktail culture.

The simplest variant based on red vermouth is Americano. For this you need an ice-filled glass filled with equal parts of bitter liqueur (eg Campari) and vermouth (eg Martini or Cinzano). A glass of carbonated water is added for the necessary freshness. Mix well, a nice slice of blood orange to finish and you can move on to gin.

If you have gin on hand, you can jump on the Negroni trend. You enrich the above-mentioned ingredients with some of the spirit and the drink of the hour is ready. You can easily turn the gin into Negroni Sbagliato by replacing it with the same amount of Prosecco or another sparkling wine.

french evergreen

Vermouth, or rather vermouth, is also popular with our western neighbors, but it is preferable to be drier than in Italy. A bottle of Noilly Prat is a must in any French bistro.

Vermouth tonic is fresh and radiant. To do this, pour four parts of white vermouth with ice cubes into a large wine glass and add 1-2 parts of tonic water of your choice. To finish, add a large chunk of organic lemon and rosemary zest. Alternatively, thyme also tastes good. It is important to gently rub the herbs between your hands so that they can develop their full etheric potential.

A touch of Christmas magic

Vermouth looks even more festive by adding a few ingredients. Thanks to its star anise shape, it provides the desired effect and enriches the taste of mixed drinks with red vermouth. The same goes for a more fruity squirt of cranberry juice. A light vermouth is garnished with a star fruit or a piece of tangerine for Advent.

You create a winter mood with ice crystals that you imitate with a candy frame on the glass. For this, first wet the top of the glass with lemon juice and then smear it with white sugar. Tap the underside to remove excess.

One more small cup for decoration instead of a cocktail umbrella and the drinking fun can begin.