top of page

Vermouth 101: The Renaissance of a Classic—Plus How to Store It & Make the Perfect Negroni

  • Writer: kathmilano
    kathmilano
  • Nov 6
  • 3 min read

negroni

Vermouth is back in a big way. From aperitif hour to serious cocktail programs, this aromatized wine is finding a new audience drawn to balanced drinks and mindful drinking. As Savour Hospitality venues across Cleveland, Ohio update their cocktail lists, our team explains why vermouth belongs in your glass—neat, on ice, or in timeless classics.


“People are becoming more judicious about how they imbibe… A proper cocktail should be balanced and not knock you out.” —Brian Woehrman, General Manager, LockKeepers.


What Is Vermouth?


Vermouth is an aromatized, fortified wine—a base wine infused with botanicals (herbs, roots, spices) and fortified with neutral spirit. Its modern form originated in Italy; Antonio Benedetto Carpano popularized the style in 1786 by infusing white wine with herbs to craft more than 30 expressions.


A defining rule: to be called vermouth, it must contain wormwood (Artemisia absinthium), the bittering botanical that even lends the drink its name from the German “Wermut.” 


Need-to-know: Italian standards specify at least 75% wine, fortified and flavored with an alcoholic infusion of herbs and spices (including wormwood).


Styles & Flavor Profiles


Traditionally, you’ll encounter two main styles—sweet and dry—but today’s shelves include extra-dry white, amber, and rosé expressions. Expect flavors that can be bitter, sweet, caramelly, woodsy, or herbal depending on the recipe.


olives\

Food pairing tip: Vermouth is a natural with cheese and antipasto (think tapas, olives, sardines). Try it chilled as an aperitif before dinner at LockKeepers or Il Venetian.


Why the Comeback?


Classic-cocktail culture, TV, competitions, and a tilt toward moderation are fueling vermouth’s rise. Equal-parts recipes for the Martini and Manhattan (yes, earlier versions used far more vermouth) feel fresh again, without overwhelming alcohol.


Cleveland even has a hometown link: Eric Seed (Shaker Heights) helped reintroduce traditional producers to U.S. bartenders and enthusiasts through Haus Alpenz, accelerating the renaissance.


How to Store Vermouth (So It Stays Delicious)


Vermouth is wine first—treat it like one. It’s delicate once opened.

  • Refrigerate after opening.

  • Use quickly: flavor is best within about a week.


These habits preserve the nuance of botanicals and prevent oxidation that flattens flavor.


Regions & Regulations (At a Glance)


  • Italy: benchmark producer; legal standards require ≥75% wine plus botanicals including wormwood.

  • France, Spain & U.S.: excellent examples with distinct regional signatures.

  • Cleveland, Ohio: enjoy curated lists and cocktails at Marble Room, Il Venetian, and LockKeepers.


bottle of vermouth

Classic Cocktail: LockKeepers’ Negroni (House Favorite)


  • ¾ oz Campari

  • ¾ oz Aviation Gin

  • ¾ oz Nonis Februariis Vermouth

    Stir all ingredients with ice (~30 seconds). Strain over fresh ice in a rocks glass. Express an orange twist over the top and drop it in.


The Negroni—“the ultimate Italian cocktail”—is a year-round staple on our menus.


Quick Guide: Sweet vs. Dry Vermouth

Style

Typical Notes

Classic Uses

Pro Tip

Dry Vermouth

Herbal, citrus peel, briny

Martinis, spritzes

Keep ultra-cold; top with soda & lemon for an aperitif.

Sweet (Rosso)

Caramel, baking spice, bitter orange

Manhattans, Negronis

Try a 50/50 Manhattan to showcase the vermouth.

Amber/Rosé/Extra-Dry

Floral to honeyed; nuanced bitterness

Low-ABV spritzes, on ice

Explore regional bottles—Italy, France, Spain, U.S.

FAQs


What exactly makes vermouth different from wine?

It’s aromatized and fortified—base wine infused with botanicals (including wormwood) and lightly fortified for stability and structure.


How long does vermouth last after opening?

Plan to enjoy it within about a week; always refrigerate to preserve freshness.


Is vermouth low-alcohol?

Relative to base spirits, yes. That’s why classic equal-parts cocktails feel balanced and sessionable.


Where can I taste a great vermouth cocktail in Cleveland?

Visit Marble Room Steaks & Raw Bar, Il Venetian, and LockKeepers; ask about seasonal rotations and aperitivo-friendly pours.


Make It a Savour Day


Start with aperitivo at Il Venetian, savor a Negroni at LockKeepers, then linger over dinner at Marble Room. For wellness before or after, book Ascend Fitness & Spa, or plan an elevated celebration at St. Clair Ballroom.


Explore more seasonal stories in Savour the Season Magazine.


 
 
bottom of page