Vermouth is a key ingredient in many classic cocktails and yet doesn’t seem to get the same recognition as the spirits used in the same cocktails – think of cocktails like the Martini, Manhattan or Negroni.
Renowned bartender and vermouth producer, Giancarlo Mancino, had the vision to change this and founded the world’s first Vermouth Day to celebrate the category.
“On Vermouth Day, we want to celebrate Vermouth in all its forms without barriers – vermouths from every country, colour and flavour, each with its own production method,” said Mancino, also founder and producer of Mancino Vermouth.
“There’s no Martini cocktail without vermouth. There’s no Negroni without vermouth. And of course, there’s no Vermuttino without Vermouth.”
Vermouth Day is a time to celebrate this beverage that has held its own in the last 20 years of the cocktail renaissance and remained one of the key components for all backbars (or rather, fridges).
More recently, the category has surged following the low-ABV drinking trend with consumers, and bartenders experimenting with their no-to-low cocktail offerings.
If you’re looking to create low-ABV cocktails and maintain a high level of flavour, Vermouth is your answer.
What is vermouth?
Vermouth is an aromatised wine. It uses wine grapes as the base ingredient, infused with dried, aromatic botanicals to result in a flavourful drink.
What makes the aromatised wine called Vermouth, though, is wormwood. This key ingredient is the botanical from which vermouth has its name – as wormwood in German, is translated to ‘wermut’.
So, how do we celebrate Vermouth Day this Sunday?
Pop into your local venue celebrating this day with a wonderful vermouth option, such as Sydney haunts like Big Poppa’s, Caffe Bartolo, Sopra and Roosevelt’s. In Melbourne, you can visit Bell St Coffee & Spritz, and in Adelaide, pop into Hains & Co.
Try it in a Reverse-Martini or Reverse-Manhattan – it’s exactly what you think it is: reverse the volumes of vermouth:spirit. Try it in a Highball, or simply, served chilled by itself as an aperitif, followed by a delicious dinner.
As an Italian tradition, Vermouth is a drink and an experience to be shared with family and friends. Vermouth Day, like the drink, is about bringing people together – and this is the perfect way to appreciate it.
“Today, more than ever, there is a need for union, just as the spices are combined into a bottle of Vermouth,” Mancino said.
“Here is the Vermouth Day, a way to celebrate one of the greatest cocktail ingredients of all the time. A whole day in which we can all strengthen our community by raising up a glass of Negroni, a Martini Cocktail or a Highball. Reminding us that a ‘cheers’ is more powerful than anything else.”
