Vermouth: What It Is And How To Store It (Part 2)

Knowing the pitfalls of vermouth is half the recipe. None of it needs expensive bottles. Below, we walk through vermouth step by step.

Getting the balance wrong

There are several styles. Dry vermouth is pale, crisp and herbal, and it belongs in martinis. Sweet vermouth, usually red, is richer, with notes of spice, vanilla and dried fruit, and it is essential in Manhattans and negronis. Blanc or bianco vermouth is sweet but light, and rosé and amber versions add variety. Each is worth trying on its own over ice.

The goal is a drink you can repeat easily, not a perfect one-off.

Bad ice

Storage is where many home bars go wrong. Once opened, vermouth oxidizes and slowly loses its aroma and brightness. Keep opened bottles in the refrigerator with a tight cap or stopper, and use them within about one to three months. A small bottle you finish quickly is better than a large one that sits for a year.

Small details like chilling the glass make a visible difference.

Skipping the measure

Worth keeping in mind: you can tell when it has faded. Fresh vermouth smells lively, fragrant and fruity. Old vermouth smells dull, flat or sharp like stale sherry or vinegar, and tastes tired. If your martini suddenly tastes bland or odd, check the vermouth before blaming the gin. Discard it, or use a small amount in cooking while it is still acceptable.

The wrong glass

Buy smaller bottles when you can, and write the opening date on the label with a marker. Taste vermouth neat, on ice with an orange peel, to learn which you enjoy before you mix it. A good vermouth makes classic cocktails taste noticeably better, and it also makes a fine light aperitif with soda.

How to fix it

Worth keeping in mind: vermouth is a wine that has been fortified with a neutral spirit and flavored with botanicals such as herbs, spices, roots and bark. It is not a spirit, which is the key to everything about how it should be handled. It sits on the bar shelf next to whiskey and gin but behaves more like a bottle of wine once it is opened.

Practical tips

In everyday terms, this can look like:

• Use plenty of fresh, hard ice.
• Keep a non-alcoholic option ready for guests.
• Use fresh citrus, squeezed the same day.
• Never drink and drive; plan a ride home.

The bottom line

Keep it simple, taste as you go, and enjoy the process. Take it one drink at a time. Each one teaches you a little more about balance.