2018Q1SpiritedVirginia - 9

FEATURED SPIRIT

Versatile Vermouth
This neglected spirit is the perfect character actor.

W

e've all heard of vermouth,
and we've probably used it in
a cocktail, but most of us don't really
know much about it.
Vermouth is a fortified wine-like
port, marsala or sherry-that's been
sweetened and spiked with brandy.
It's also infused with aromatic herbs
and spices, such as wormwood, cloves,
cinnamon, lemon peel, chamomile,
juniper and ginger. There are two
main varieties-sweet and dry. Sweet
vermouth comes from Italy and dry
from France. Dry vermouth is lighter in
color and has a lower sugar content.
Sweet, or Italian, vermouth is flavored
with caramel, which gives the drink a
reddish-brown tone and a much sweeter
taste.
Like many drinks, vermouth was
originally used as a medicine. By the
mid-1600s it had become popular in
England and the name vermouth-from
the German for wormwood-became
standardized. Vermouth moved out of
the doctor's office to become a popular
aperitif. Today, the wine is more of a
character actor than a star-it's used in
cocktails to brighten up other spirits.
Vermouth is still enjoyed as an aperitif
in Europe, where it's served over ice or
with a twist of lemon.
Some of the world's most popular,
iconic cocktails rely on vermouth to
balance out the other flavors. Martinis
need dry vermouth just as much as
Manhattans need sweet vermouth. The
Rob Roy, Gibson, Negroni, Marciano,
Adonis and Brooklyn classic cocktails
wouldn't be the same without vermouth,
the ultimate team player. You don't
need a lot-just a dash of vermouth will
have a significant impact on your drink.

A dash of vermouth
spices up many drinks.

Should you keep vermouth
refrigerated? Yes, by all means. It's not
something you'll necessarily use very
often, so consider buying a small bottle.
If it starts to turn vermouth can be used
for cooking, though it's a bit stronger
than sherry and other fortified wines, so
use it sparingly.
And remember, Europeans know
a thing or two about wine. Don't be
afraid to buy a premium bottle, such as
Carpano Antica or Noilly Prat Extra Dry,
and sip it over ice.

-Andrew Madigan

SPIRITED VIRGINIA | JANUARY | FEBRUARY | MARCH 2018 9



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2018Q1SpiritedVirginia

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of 2018Q1SpiritedVirginia

2018Q1SpiritedVirginia - Cover1
2018Q1SpiritedVirginia - Cover2
2018Q1SpiritedVirginia - 1
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2018Q1SpiritedVirginia - Cover3
2018Q1SpiritedVirginia - Cover4
https://www.nxtbook.com/leisuremedia360/leisure/spirited-virginia-q1-2022
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/SPVAQ42021
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/SPVAQ32021
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/SPVAQ22021
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/SPVAQ12021
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/SPVAQ42020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/SPVAQ32020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/SpiritedVA-Q2-2020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/SPVAQ12020
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/SPVAQ42019
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/VTCRecipeBook
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/2019Q3SpiritedVA
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/2019Q2SpiritedVA
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/2019Q1SpiritedVA
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/2018Q4SpiritedVA
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/2018Q3SpiritedVA
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/2018Q2SpiritedVA
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/2018Q1SpiritedVirginia
https://www.nxtbook.com/nxtbooks/leisure/Spirited_Virginia_Q4_2017
https://www.nxtbookmedia.com