Sweet vermouth is a type of vermouth (a kind of fortified wine) which is a pretty important component in several cocktails like the Manhattan. But most Indian household bars don’t really get how essential vermouth, dry or sweet, is so we’re here to change your mind about that.
Manhattan
There’s no way we’d have a listicle about sweet vermouth without mentioning the iconic Manhattan. What originated in New York in the 1870s is now available at every bar even in India so why should you be far behind when at home?
What you’ll need:
- 74 ml rye
- 30 ml sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Cherry as garnish
Instructions:
- Pour all ingredients into a drinks mixer alongwith ice
- Stir well and strain into chilled glass
- Garnish with cherry and serve
Chet Baker
In this wonderful recipe by the bar at Hinoki & The Bird based in Los Angeles, rum and sweet vermouth come together to create a new version of the old-fashioned. Every time you take a sip of this concoction of bold and sweet flavours, you’ll be dying for more.
What you’ll need:
- 60 ml aged rum
- 1 barspoon honey syrup (3:1 water ratio)
- 15 ml sweet vermouth
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a tumbler
- Add ice
- Stir 7 times and serve
Boulevardier
The Boulevardier is not only rich and extremely exciting, it’s also a great winter substitute for the refreshing Negroni. Bringing Campari, sweet vermouth and bourbon together for some sweet assault on your tastebuds, this cocktail is all of your dreams come true and more.
What you’ll need:
- 30 ml bourbon
- 30 ml Campari
- 30 ml sweet vermouth
- Orange twist as garnish
Instructions:
- Combine all ingredients in a mixing glass
- Fill with ice
- Stir for 20 seconds
- Strain into chilled glass
- Garnish with orange twist and serve
Rob Roy
This smoky cocktail has an interesting story. It was first created for the 1894 premier of the operetta Rob Roy by Waldorf Astoria. The story was based on a Scot hero Rob Roy MacGregor and his story has be definitely been immortalised by this flavourful drink.
What you’ll need:
- 60 ml blended scotch
- 30 ml sweet vermouth
- 2 dashes Angostura bitters
- Brandied cherry as garnish
Instructions:
- Add scotch, vermouth and bitters in mixing glass
- Fill 1/3rd of the glass with ice
- Stir cocktail then strain into a chilled glass
- Garnish with the cherry and serve
Hanky Panky
The Hanky Panky is just as fun as it sounds and it’s guaranteed to taste like a party in your mouth. The cocktail, invented by bartender Ada Coleman, got its name from stage actor Sir Charles Hawtrey’s response calling the drink “the real hanky-panky”. If it’s good enough for legendary bartenders and actors, it’s good enough for us.
What you’ll need:
- 30 ml gin
- 30 ml sweet vermouth
- 1 barspoon Fernet Branca
- Orange peel as garnish
Instructions:
- Combine ingredients in a mixing glass
- Add ice and stir
- Strain into glass
- Add garnish and serve