What does dry vermouth taste like?
Dry vermouth tastes like a crisp, dry white wine with herbs and flowers: citrus peel, chamomile, a little salinity and bitterness, and barely any sweetness.
Dry vermouth
crisp, dry and herby
Dry vermouth is white wine fortified with a bit of spirit and flavored with herbs, flowers and roots, but only lightly sweetened. The French made the style famous, which is why it's sometimes called French vermouth. It tastes crisp, herbal and slightly bitter, with citrus peel, chamomile and a faint saltiness. In a martini it softens the gin and adds a savory, herbal depth; the more vermouth, the 'wetter' the martini. It's about 15 to 18% alcohol and should live in the fridge once opened.
Where you’ll see it
In martinis (dry, wet or 50/50), the Gibson and the Bamboo (with sherry), and as a light aperitif on ice with lemon peel or a splash of soda.
Order it if you like dry white wine and martinis and want something lighter, herbal and low-proof.
Quick questions
- What does dry vermouth do in a martini?
- It adds herbal, slightly salty, floral depth and softens the gin or vodka. A 'dry' martini has little vermouth; a 'wet' one has more.
- Is dry vermouth the same as white vermouth?
- Not quite. Dry vermouth is crisp and barely sweet. Blanc (bianco) vermouth is also clear but noticeably sweeter, with more vanilla.