Have you ever heard of vermouth? Maybe in the context of a martini? In Spain, vermouth is known as vermut, and it’s so much more than a drink – it’s a way of life!
My introduction to this delicious aperitif came from my good friend Annie, from Annie B’s Spanish Kitchen in Andalucía. We were about to enjoy Sunday lunch when Annie suggested we partake in ‘la hora del vermut’ – the hour before lunch dedicated to sipping vermut (or beer or wine!).
I must confess, my first vermut was one of the best I’ve ever had! It was locally handcrafted from a base of amontillado & Pedro Ximenez sherries, served over ice and garnished with a fresh slice of orange.
I was instantly taken by its rich, herbaceous flavour – it tasted like Christmas in a glass!
Since then, I’ve discovered that there are literally thousands of types of vermut. Almost every bar and restaurant in Spain boasts a ‘vermut casero’ or house-made vermut. Many places, especially in Cataluña, pride themselves on having the best vermut. There are even ‘vermuterías’ that offer several varieties.
So, what is vermut?
Vermut is essentially a fortified wine infused with herbs and botanicals. All vermuts share wormwood as a common ingredient, as it gives it its distinct bitter flavour. From there, the wine and ingredients vary depending on the region. For example, vermut from Andalucía often uses fino or manzanilla sherry as the base, while in Galicia, it’s typically based on local Rias Baixas white wine.
How do you prepare a vermut like a Spaniard?
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Choose Your Vermut: Decide whether you want a red or white vermut. Red tends to be a bit sweeter, while white is usually drier.
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Grab a Tumbler and Ice: Fill your tumbler with large ice blocks.
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Pour the Vermut: Add a generous glug of vermut (a double shot is my go-to).
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Garnish: Add a slice of fresh orange. I like to give it a little squeeze to enhance the flavor. A little bowl of olives on the side is the perfect accompaniment.
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Enjoy: Sip this delicious drink while you solve the world’s problems with friends and family.
Salud! Here’s to embracing the Spanish way of life, glass of vermut in hand!
Oh and if you’d like to grab some great vermut, pop over to our good friends at The Spanish Acquisition – we love this one, this one and this one!
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