The 8 Absolute Best Vermouths to Drink

Everyone loves the underdog, the unspoken hero, the humble foundation onto which more expressive characters flaunt their worth. Present in popular culture and in our day-to-day lives, the humble hero is always admired — though often underappreciated because of their diligence and dedication to getting the job done, even if the work goes unrecognized.

Welcome to a day in the life of our friend Vermouth. The often thankless element in our most prized cocktails — the Martini, Negroni, and Manhattan just to name a quick few. In fact, vermouth could very well be one of the most misunderstood spirits around, namely because the majority of us mistakenly categorize the drink as a mixer as opposed to the aperitif it is. Nevertheless, it’s an integral part of the cocktail experience and therefore should no longer go unrecognized or unappreciated on the bar cart (which in and of itself is incorrect since vermouth is actually supposed to be kept in the fridge). Let’s help clear the air with the best vermouth bottles to steer you in the right direction.

What Is Vermouth?

Vermouth is a fortified wine (any type of wine combined with another distilled spirit like brandy) that’s been aromatized, or flavored, with any variety of herbs, spices, and/or other botanicals, the recipes of which are typically proprietary to a specific brand.

Can You Drink Vermouth Neat?

Absolutely! While certain vermouths are made specifically for sipping, others can be enjoyed both neat or in cocktails. Even before it was first mixed into martinis and other drinks in the 19th century, vermouth, as we know it today, was used in Italy either medicinally or as an apéritif to be sipped before meals.

Dry Vermouth: Getting its name from the inclusion of “dry” ingredients such as spices and herbs, dry vermouth is made from white wine and usually has no more than 4% sugar content. These are commonly used in martinis and other gin and vodka drinks.

Sweet Vermouth: Unlike dry vermouth, sweet vermouth has much more sugar in part due to the preponderance of fruit ingredients added to the mix. Historically made with red wine, sweet vermouth is often made with white wine today and isn’t as commonly consumed straight as dry vermouth. It’s used to make whiskey drinks like Manhattans and Rob Roys, but is a key ingredient in Negroni cocktails as well.

Bianco Vermouth: Also known as “blanc” vermouth in France, bianco is the most notable “other” style of vermouth (aside from dry and sweet) simply for its versatility in application. Most commonly sipped straight, they’re also popular in Vesper martinis and can be used to change up staid recipes for classic drinks as well.

Dolin De Chambery Dry Vermouth

Most Versatile: For those who aren’t aware, the Chambery region of France is historic in its production of white and dry vermouths. If you were to have just one vermouth behind the bar, this is it. Versatile, affordable, and great in gin martinis, the Dolin De Chambery is a fine start. Each batch is made with fine wines and botanicals found in the region’s Alpine meadows that, when combined, offer elegant yet refreshing notes and a complex palate for the taking. You certainly can’t go wrong here.

Alessio Vermouth Bianco

Best Bianco: Placed as a “Finalist” in the 2017 Ultimate Spirits Challenge, Alessio Vermouth Bianco is a fine variation of Italian sweet vermouth. The iteration piggybacks on the traditional Blanc that first appeared in France back in the 1880s. This Bianco then strives to capture the original palate from an Italian sweet but with warm spices, mild bitterness, and a crisp citrus finish. It’s dry but not too dry and works fantastically either on its own or in a gin martini.

Dubonnet Red

Best Sweet Vermouth: Formerly known as a “Vino di Torino” or “luxury wine” back in the late 19th century, sweet red vermouth has only continued to gain strength in popularity in recent years with the resurgence of cocktail culture once again. Made in both France and recently co-produced in Kentucky, Dubonnet Red starts with a red wine base and is a fantastic sipping vermouth, especially considering its sweetness. However, the accessibility comes from the proprietary blend, which includes cinchona tree bark, black currants, tea, and cane sugar.

La Quintinye Royal Extra Dry Vermouth

Best Dry Vermouth: With all the dry brute interest these days, enjoying some extra dry vermouth on its own isn’t out of the question. Hell, we even recommend it. Especially if your glass is graced with this variation from La Quintinye. Each batch takes inspiration from a botanical-heavy approach combined with Pineau de Charentes, white wine, and herbs to yield a deliciously complex aperitif to enjoy over ice. On the nose, enjoy very herby notes of fresh rosemary, sage, and lavender, a palate that’s lightly soured to start complemented by tannic grape skin, and a finish fused with sage, wormwood, and peppery spice.

Cocchi Vermouth Di Torino

Best for a Manhattan: For more than 100 years, Cocci’s Vermouth Di Torino has been made to a secret family recipe. And rightfully so, considering how versatile this variant is both on its own or supporting a Vieux Carre. That’s all because it’s remarkably complex as an aperitif wine — full flavored with a bitter earthy taste that pairs almost perfectly well against the sweeter notes of licorice, orange zest, and sugar. Combine those tasting notes with a bitter yet notably sweet finish and you have yourself a winner here.

Carpano Antica

Best for a Negroni: With a storied history dating back to Turin (now in modern-day Northern Italy) in 1786, Carpano Antica stands out among the crowd for its unique nose and iconic vanilla notes. Each batch remains in line with the traditional recipe — utilizing white wines from selected Italian grape varieties and then aromatized via hot infusion and cold extraction. The process yields an unmistakable bouquet of vanilla and dried fruit on the nose and palate combined with bitter orange, dates, cocoa beans, and saffron for an ideal finish.

Lillet Blanc

Best for a Martini: Purists, beware: Lillet Blanc is not a dry vermouth. However, it’s also the best vermouth for a martini due to its superb flavor profile (besides, there are a couple of dry options on this list if you’re not satisfied). Essentially within the blanc category, Lillet’s most iconic bottle is produced by the French company using Sémillon and Sauvignon Blanc wines with a proprietary blend that yields heavy orange blossom notes, along with honey and pine. The unique profile blends exceptionally well with today’s modern gin market. And since many believe that the dry version of Lillet (no longer produced) is what Ian Fleming referred to when he invented the recipe for the Vesper martini, Lillet Blanc is the de facto ingredient.

Cocchi Barolo Chinato

Best for Sipping Neat: Made famous during the Belle Epoque and Italian Futurist period of the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Apertivo Americano and vermouths were enjoyed by the influential minds of their day. Decades later, this aromatized wine works both by itself and in lieu of standard sweet vermouth in a Manhattan. Unlike traditional vermouths, which often use cheaper wines as their base, Barolo Chinato uses the highest quality Italian wine. Each Cocchi Barolo Chinato is infused with quinine bark, rhubarb, ginger, cardamom, cocoa, and other notable spices resulting in a deep back palate for an enjoyable digestif. It offers a richness that works quite well with complex whiskeys.

The Best Classic Cocktails Every Man Should Know

What good are cocktail vermouths if you don’t have any recipes? Check out our ultimate guide to the most essential cocktails you should know how to make.