Vermouth Cocktail
Sweet vermouth with a touch of maraschino and bitters. A Jerry Thomas recipe.
Stirred · Coupe · Medium · about 3 minutes · about 15% ABV
Ingredients
- 75 ml Sweet vermouth
- 5 ml Maraschino liqueur
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Lemon twist (garnish)
Method
- Chill the glass
- Pour 75 ml sweet vermouth into the mixing glass
- Pour 5 ml maraschino liqueur into the mixing glass
- Add 2 dashes of Angostura bitters
- Add ice
- Stir
- Strain
- Garnish
Tip
Use a quality vermouth.
About the Vermouth Cocktail
The vermouth cocktail family. Vermouth reached American bars in the 1860s and 1870s, and bartenders began stirring it with whiskey, gin and brandy. That gave us the Manhattan and the Martinez, the ancestor of the Martini. Drinks in this family are stirred rather than shaken, and they are all about the balance between the spirit and the aromatised wine.
Vermouth Cocktail FAQ
What's in a Vermouth Cocktail?
75 ml sweet vermouth, 5 ml maraschino liqueur, 2 dashes angostura bitters, garnished with lemon twist.
How strong is a Vermouth Cocktail?
About 15% ABV once mixed with ice, which is 1.1 Australian standard drinks per serve. That is about as strong as a glass of wine or lighter.
Should I shake or stir a Vermouth Cocktail?
Stir it. It is made only of spirits and wines, so stirring keeps it clear and silky. Shaking would make it cloudy and frothy.
What glass do you serve a Vermouth Cocktail in?
A coupe, about 180 ml. Chill the glass first and serve without ice. No coupe? Use a martini glass or small wine glass.
