Vermouth favorites

[MsTwiggy]

I have three bottles of Dolin vermouth that are all almost gone - dry, blanc, and rouge. Prior to restocking a query of the sensibilities here would be good to inform my options. I have been making martini proportion drinks more and more over the years and now they are basically my go to. Alternatively, any good books on the subject? 🍸🔥🔥🐿️

[shify]

Dry vermouth - I’m with you on the Dolin. I stick with the small bottles of Dolin to make sure it stays fresh (and lives in my fridge). I like a fairly dry martini so a small bottle lasts a decent amount of time while still staying fresh.

Sweet vermouth - Carpano Antica is my go to. I generally drink rye Manhattans or Boulevardiers that can stand up to it. Depending what you drink it might be too assertive and vanilla forward.

[MsTwiggy]

Thanks for the recommendation shify 🔥🔥🐿️

[CaptainMike]

I like Cinzano or Carpano (Cinzano almost exclusively) for my very dry, and a bit dirty, Hendrick's Gin Martini. With a lovely pimento stuffed giant Spanish olive or two, elegantly skewered and lying awash in a nicely frosted and oversized Martini glass it makes me feel like I'm Coco Chanel luxuriously lounging in my private booth at either the Waldorf or the cow pasture next door.

[MsTwiggy]

Well one way or another ya got to cut the sauce. You like it dirty and I like ‘em wet. I never feel like a diva for enjoying myself though. 😁🔥🔥🐿️

[SheilaAnn]

“You use your tongue purtier than a $20 wh*re…”

😝😝😝

[CaptainMike]

Hahahaha, I dang near spit a mouthful of bourbon on the computer when I read that SheilaAnn! Blazing Saddles could not be made today. I was also going to say that's not the first time a woman ever said that to me, but I thought that might be a bit too risqué for the forum so I refrained.

[Reds Fan 5]

Agree with the Carpano Antico recommendations for red vermouth. I use it for Manhattans. I asked a bartender once why I couldn’t replicate his Manhattan at home using the same bourbon. He said it had to be the vermouth. He was using Carpano. I was using something much cheaper. Won’t go back.

[Old Glory]

Carpano Antico is my go to as well. I like Negronis.

[Attjack]

I like Cocchi di Torino, Cocchi Americano Bianco, and Cocchi Rosa.

[MsTwiggy]

Yes! Thanks for this recommendation Attjack !! Do you think it’s worth it to get a bottle of Lillet if i like to make vespers or would you use the Bianco? 🔥🔥🐿️

[Attjack]

Yes, absolutely I also keep a bottle of Lillet Blanc on hand as well. I would also recommend a can of Private Reserve Wine Preserver. I spray it into my wines before the go back into the fridge and it keeps them fresh for months.

[JCBBQ]

These are pretty good

[MsTwiggy]

Excellent, thanks JCBBQ lots of folks here really liking the Carpano! It looks like I can get get that in my hood at a Total Wine store. I’ll report back on offerings there. 🔥🔥🐿️

[SheilaAnn]

barelfly what say you?

I’ve really only used Cinzano. Now I’m going to try these recommended brands. I, too, am a very dry martini drinker.

[barelfly]

SheilaAnn

I haven’t added because I just don’t know vermouth. I have two bottles, that after I mention them, will probably get me ran out of here! But I have taken note of what has been mentioned above for future purchases.

dry vermouth - Noilly Pratt - only time this gets used, which is a few times a month, is for when I make my wife an extra dirty martini - shaken, not stirred. I use about .5oz of it, so it lasts me…but I don’t keep it in the fridge. Perhaps I should.

sweet vermouth - haha - Gallo - and who knows how old this bottle is. I don’t know when I bought it, but I use this for Martinez cocktails, which I don’t make often, or Manhattans, which again are not often. And this is also not in the fridge.

But I am thankful for the info above, as I’ve added it to my Total Wine to buy list so I can see if there are smaller, or 375mL bottles rather than the 750s I have now.

Ok. I’ll see myself out now after mentioning bottom shelf spirits.

[ecowper]

My go to’s

Dry - Noilly Prat: expensive, but amazing. Best gin martini I have ever made is with Bombay Sapphire and Noilly Prat.

Rouge - Carpano Antica: I drink almost exclusively manhattans, Negronis and boulevardiers on that front and Carpano is the bomb. Second choice here is Cocchi

[MsTwiggy]

Yes thanks for the recommendation! I am close to your rotation - manhattan, vesper, or vodka martini. If I would buy a bottle of Cynar or Aperol I might drink a little more gin. Mostly its bourbon or vodka. 🔥🔥🐿️

[ecowper]

MsTwiggy I’m a big fan of Bombay Sapphire and Roku for gin. Fantastic for Martinis and Negronis! I do like a vesper when I have all the stuff handy :-)

[ecowper]

barelfly I knew you must be a man after my own heart on the martini front.

[SheilaAnn]

I remember BF bought a gift of Skyy vodka a long time ago. It had a tiny spray bottle that came with. That’s what we put dry vermouth in for the longest time. We just spritzed the inside of the glass.

[MsTwiggy]

There is a saying to “show the glass” 👀🍸 the vermouth. I personally go with a full half jig. One of the things about the Noilly Pratt is they say its ideal for the 50:50 martini which is having a moment. I haven’t tried one yet but am pretty sure its in my future 🔥🔥🐿️

[MsTwiggy]

Went to total wine and ended up getting bottles of Lillet blanc for Vespers, Noilly Pratt extra dry to try a 50:50, Fernet Branca, Aperol, and Campari. Made an Negroni which was pretty enjoyable! Spouse will likely switch to Boulevardiers next time although he liked his. 🔥🔥🐿️

[SheilaAnn]

MsTwiggy more fancy cocktail glasses!

[MsTwiggy]

SheilaAnn I love a fancy glass!! 🔥🔥🐿️

[UFLawdog]

Dry vermouth - I’m with you on the Dolin. I stick with the small bottles of Dolin to make sure it stays fresh (and lives in my fridge). I like a fairly dry martini so a small bottle lasts a decent amount of time while still staying fresh.

Sweet vermouth - Carpano Antica is my go to. I generally drink rye Manhattans or Boulevardiers that can stand up to it. Depending what you drink it might be too assertive and vanilla forward.

Agree with all of this.

I will play with Noily and Cocchi for some variety at times.