Can you swap sweet and dry vermouth?

Not in the same drink. Sweet vermouth makes a martini amber and sweet; dry makes a Manhattan thin and sharp. A Perfect Manhattan uses half of each.

Does vermouth go bad?

It fades. It's wine, so once opened it goes flat and stale over a few weeks, faster at room temperature. Keep it in the fridge.

Sweet vs dry vermouth: what's the difference?

Sweet vermouth is red, rich and spiced with a bitter edge and goes in Manhattans and Negronis; dry vermouth is pale, crisp and herbal and goes in martinis.

Sweet vermouth

Easy

Boozy

Tart

Sweet

Not bitter

Bracing

Dark, round and spiced, with a bittersweet herbal edge.

What does Sweet vermouth taste like?

Dry vermouth

Easy

Boozy

Tart

Sweet

Not bitter

Bracing

Pale, crisp and herbal, like a white wine that went foraging.

What does Dry vermouth taste like?

The real difference

Both are wine fortified and flavored with herbs, roots and barks. Sweet vermouth, also called rosso, gets more sugar and color, so it's dark, round and spiced. Dry vermouth is pale, low in sugar and crisp, with flowers and herbs. Both are wine, so opened bottles belong in the fridge.

Side by side

Sweet vermouthDry vermouth

ColorRed to brownPale straw

TastesSweet, spiced, bittersweetDry, floral, herbal

Goes inManhattan, Negroni, Boulevardier, AmericanoMartini, Gibson, El Presidente

Which to order

Order sweet vermouth on ice with a twist if you want a gentle, bittersweet aperitivo.
Order dry vermouth with soda if you want something light, crisp and herbal.

Quick questions

Can you swap sweet and dry vermouth?: Not in the same drink. Sweet vermouth makes a martini amber and sweet; dry makes a Manhattan thin and sharp. A Perfect Manhattan uses half of each.
Does vermouth go bad?: It fades. It's wine, so once opened it goes flat and stale over a few weeks, faster at room temperature. Keep it in the fridge.