Vermouth is a fortified wine flavoured with an infusion of herbs and spices, for which wormwood is an essential ingredient (hence its German name Wermut). The category offers Spanish vermouth in white, rosé and red variants from producers such as Yzaguirre, Mascaro, Padró & Co., Oller del Más and Javier San Pedro Ortega. Alongside the basic ranges, premium Reserva and Gran Reserva vermouths with a longer ageing period and a more complex flavour are also available. Bottles are most often sold in 0.75 l and 1 l volumes. Vermouth is served chilled, usually with ice and lemon, on its own as an aperitif or as part of cocktails.
How to find your way around this category
Vermouths are divided primarily by colour and sweetness. White vermouth (Blanco) is sweeter and herbally fresh, dry variants (Dry / Extra Dry) are less sweet and are used mainly in cocktails, red vermouth (Rojo/Rosso) is caramel-like and bittersweet, and rosé (Rosado) combines fruitiness with the gentle bitterness of herbs.
The basic ranges suit cocktails and everyday drinking with ice, while Reserva and Gran Reserva variants have a longer ageing period and are better suited to tasting on their own.
Types of vermouth - how to choose by flavour
| Type |
Flavour profile |
Example in the range |
Recommended use |
| White vermouth (Blanco) |
Sweeter, herbally fresh |
Yzaguirre Blanco Reserva, Mascaro Siset blanco |
Aperitif with ice and lemon |
| Dry vermouth (Dry) |
Less sweet, more pronounced bitterness |
Yzaguirre Reserva Dry |
Base for cocktails (Martini) |
| Red vermouth (Rojo) |
Caramel, bittersweet |
Yzaguirre Rojo Reserva, Todo el Rato Clasico Rojo |
Aperitif, cocktails (Negroni) |
| Rosé vermouth (Rosado) |
Fruity with gentle bitterness |
Yzaguirre Rosado |
Summer aperitif with ice |
Premium ranges such as Yzaguirre selección 1884 or vermouths labelled Gran Reserva have a longer ageing period and a more complex flavour than the basic ranges of the same brand.
How vermouth is made
The basis of vermouth is a light wine, which is sweetened and blended with an alcoholic infusion of herbs and spices. The essential ingredient is wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), which also gave the drink its name. It is further flavoured with cinnamon, cloves, hyssop, common hop, fennel, cardamom or garden angelica - the exact recipe differs from one producer to another and is usually a company secret.
Vermouth is a fortified wine with a higher alcohol content than ordinary wine; you will always find the exact figure on the label of the particular bottle.
How to serve and store vermouth
Vermouth is served chilled, classically with ice cubes and a slice of lemon or orange, or as the basis for cocktails (Negroni, Martini, Americano). Once opened, the bottle belongs in the fridge - thanks to its lower alcohol content than spirits, vermouth keeps for a shorter time after opening than hard alcohol and should be consumed within a matter of weeks to a month.
Frequently asked questions
What is vermouth and what is it made from?
Vermouth is a fortified wine flavoured with herbs and spices, whose essential ingredient is wormwood. The basis is a light wine that is sweetened and blended with an alcoholic herbal infusion.
What is the difference between white and red vermouth?
White vermouth is sweeter and herbally fresh, while red has a more caramel-like and bittersweet flavour thanks to added caramel or darker sugar. There is also a dry and a rosé (rosado) variant.
How is vermouth drunk?
Most often chilled with ice and a slice of lemon or orange as an aperitif on its own, or as part of cocktails - typically the Negroni, Martini or Americano.
How long does an opened bottle of vermouth keep?
After opening, the bottle should be stored in the fridge and consumed within a matter of weeks to a month - thanks to its lower alcohol content, vermouth keeps for a shorter time than hard alcohol.
What does Reserva mean on a vermouth?
The designation Reserva or Gran Reserva means a longer ageing period and usually a more complex, deeper flavour compared with the basic range of the same brand.
Is vermouth the same as wine?
Vermouth is based on wine, but it is fortified (enriched with alcohol) and flavoured with herbs and spices, so it has a more pronounced flavour and a higher alcohol content than classic table wine.
Related products
Wines
Red, white, rosé and sparkling wines
Sherry
Another fortified wine from D.O. Jerez
Spirits
Gin, rum and vodka for cocktails
Sangría
A ready-made drink for direct consumption
Good to know
What matters in practice
Colour and sweetness (white, dry, red, rosé) and the degree of ageing (basic range vs. Reserva).
Also: premium ranges have a more complex and deeper flavour.
What we base this on
The traditional vermouth recipe based on wormwood and information from the producers Yzaguirre, Mascaro and Padró & Co.
Also: the exact blend of herbs is a company secret for each brand.
Where the limits are
The alcohol content and the exact composition differ from product to product.
Also: you will always find the specific figures on the label or in the product detail.
What this category does not cover
Table wines or spirits.
Also: you will find those in the Wines and Spirits categories.
