10 Best Sweet Vermouth Options for a Negroni Cocktail (2023)
Last Updated on August 22, 2023 by Lydia Martin
Ah, the Negroni – a timeless and sophisticated cocktail beloved by mixology enthusiasts and casual drinkers, including us. With its perfect harmony of gin, Campari, and sweet vermouth, the Negroni has stood the test of time as a classic aperitif.
The key to creating perfect Negronis lies in the ingredients, particularly vermouth. So today, we’ll share with you the best sweet vermouth for Negroni that will take your experience to new heights of flavor and complexity.
Top 10 Sweet Vermouths For Negroni Cocktail
10. La Quintinye Vermouth Royal Rouge
Average Price: around $21/750ml
Alcohol Content: 16.5% ABV
Why We Like It: La Quintinye Vermouth Royal Rouge is a regal addition to any cocktail, particularly Negronis. Its rich and complex flavors, infused with botanicals, can elevate any mixology game.
“Savor the symphony: Handpicked Vermouth for the ultimate Negroni bliss.” – Liquor Laboratory
This gives a royal vibe that adds sophistication to your cocktails. One sip can provide a sophisticated character, and what more if you mix it when crafting Negronis? Such a wonderful treat, right?
Read: Recommended Gins For A Negroni
9. Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino
Average Price: around $20/750ml
Alcohol Content: 16% ABV
Why We Like It: A bottle of Cocchi Vermouth di Torino stands out with its intense vanilla scent, enhancing the flavors of a Negroni. It complements the bitter Campari notes while allowing the juniper notes of gin to shine.
With refreshing fruit, vanilla, baking spice, and a satisfying bitter orange finish, it’s a versatile and enjoyable choice in cocktails and neat sipping.
8. Vermouth Routin Original Rouge
Average Price: around $21/750ml
Alcohol Content: 16.9% ABV
Why We Like It: A bottle of France’s Distillerie des Alpes has genuinely captured the essence of Alpine vermouth production with Vermouth Routin Original Rouge.
This exquisite vermouth blends seamlessly with a refreshing Negroni, enhancing the beverage with a delightful range of aromas and flavors.
The rich notes of vanilla and spices can enrich mixed drinks, making it a standout choice for your cocktail adventures.
7. Vermouth Volume Primo
Average Price: around $40/750ml
Alcohol Content: 18% ABV
Why We Like It: Vermouth Volume Primo hails from California, delivering a delightful symphony of flavors.
We like the hints of dried fruits, spices, and a touch of sweetness, making this vermouth an intriguing twist to your Negronis. But what is gin and juice?
6. La Pivón Vermouth Rojo
Average Price: around $29/750ml
Alcohol Content: 16% ABV
Why We Like It: La Pivón Vermouth Rojo is a Spanish vermouth with a balanced sweetness, herbal notes, and complex flavors.
Crafted with various botanicals, it brings a delightful twist to the classic Negroni cocktail, appealing to those seeking an adventurous and refreshing cocktail.
Read: Sweet & Dry Vermouth Comparison
5. Cinzano 1757 Vermouth di Torino Rosso
Average Price: around $24/1L
Alcohol Content: 16% ABV
Why We Like It: The 1757 Vermouth di Torino Rosso stands out with its rich, full-bodied flavor. Its bold herbal flavor perfectly complements a classic Negroni and shines in other vermouth-based cocktails.
Also, Cinzano Rosso boasts the fruity notes of cherry, which complements the bitterness of Campari, and the botanical notes of gin for a perfect Negroni.
4. Vya Vermouth Aperitif Sweet
Average Price: around $25/750ml
Alcohol Content: 16% ABV
Why We Like It: This bottle of Vya Vermouth is a standout choice for cocktail enthusiasts seeking bold vermouth for a flavorful Negroni.
This great vermouth brings rich flavor, combining herbal and spicy notes with a touch of sweetness. Since it blends dry Muscat and port, it imparts notes of Moscato wine, adding to its own signature flavor.
3. Lustau Vermut Rojo
Average Price: around $20/750ml
Alcohol Content: 15% ABV
Why We Like It: This Spanish gem, Lustau Vermut Rojo, showcases a beautiful balance of sweet and bitter notes (which is far better than Carpano’s Punt e Mes!).
The citrus bitterness and herbal undertones add complexity, making it a must-try for anyone seeking an authentic taste of Spain.
With its distinctive nutty character and hints of raisin and plum, it harmonizes perfectly with the other components of Negroni cocktails, creating a velvety and memorable drinking experience.
Read: Recommended Gins For A French 75 Cocktail
2. Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth
Average Price: around $33/750ml
Alcohol Content: 16.5% ABV
Why We Like It: Among Italian ones, like Punt e Mes, we like Carpano Antica Formula for its velvety texture and exceptional depth of flavor (vanilla and cocoa beans), which works well with gin and Campari.
We prefer this Antica Formula over Carpano’s Punt e Mes for its slightly heavier flavors, enriching the taste of any vermouth-based cocktail recipe. It’s one of the best sweet vermouths for Negroni.
1. Dolin Rouge Vermouth
Average Price: around $18/750ml
Alcohol Content: 16% ABV
Why We Like It: Dolin Vermouth Rouge boasts a delightful combination of fruity and citrus notes with a touch of alpine elegance. This is a budget-friendly option better than Martini Rosso.
Its light body and balanced sweetness make it one of the easiest drinks and an excellent choice for creating Negroni or another classic drink.
Things To Consider When Choosing Sweet Vermouths
Origin
When selecting the best vermouths for your Negroni, consider its origin. Different regions have their unique red vermouth styles, offering diverse flavor profiles that can significantly impact your cocktail’s taste.
Italian vermouth, for example, often brings a rich and full-bodied character, while French varieties emphasize delicate and floral notes.
Use
Consider how you plan to use the best vermouths in your Negroni recipe. If you prefer a more traditional and balanced cocktail [1], choose the best vermouths with a well-rounded sweet taste and bitter notes.
“Negroni tells a bartender that you are a serious drinker with an evolved palate — and grabs his attention.” – Pankaj Balachandran, Indian Mixologist
For those seeking a more adventurous taste, most bartenders explore the best vermouth with unique botanical blends or higher alcohol content to add a distinct twist to the best Negroni drinks.
Flavors
To choose the best vermouth, examine the flavor profile, and look for notes that harmonize with the other ingredients in your Negroni, like London dry gin [2] and Campari.
Subtle hints of black cherry, vanilla, dried fruits, spices, and herbs can add layers of taste complexity to your drink, creating an exceptional drinking experience.
FAQs
Does a Negroni have sweet vermouth?
Yes, a Negroni recipe has sweet vermouth, alongside gin and Campari, mixed in equal parts and traditionally garnished with an orange peel for a perfect drink. It’s a classic and iconic cocktail with a perfect balance of flavors.
What’s sweet vermouth for Negroni?
Sweet vermouth in a Negroni is a fortified wine infused with herbs, spices, and botanicals, contributing a balanced sweetness to the cocktail and harmonizing with the bitterness of Campari and the strength of gin.
It’s like the base wine [3] in a Negroni drink, usually served with a large ice cube.
How do you use sweet vermouth in a Negroni?
To use sweet vermouth in a Negroni, add ice, then equal parts of sweet vermouth, gin, and Campari, in a mixing glass. Stir well, strain into a rocks glass with ice cubes, and garnish with an orange peel.
If desired, you can also top it with soda water to enhance the refreshing vibe of the drink.
How long does sweet vermouth last?
The best vermouths can last for about 1-2 months after opening. Store the bottle upright, tightly sealed in the fridge to maintain its freshness to minimize oxidation.
What does sweet vermouth do to Negroni?
Sweet vermouth in a Negroni adds a balanced sweetness and depth of flavor. It complements the bitterness of Campari and the botanicals of gin [4], creating a harmonious and well-rounded drink.
On A Final Note
At the end of our taste tests, we unanimously conclude that Dolin Rouge Vermouth is the best choice for Negroni.
Despite its affordability, like the Martini Rosso, it delivers bitter yet floral elegance and versatility, perfect not just as a Negroni ingredient but on its own and on the rocks.
But for other standout choices, we also suggest trying the Carpano Antica Formula Vermouth and the Lustau Vermut Rojo for their rich and agile profile.
References:
- https://recipes.howstuffworks.com/5-things-you-didnt-know-cocktails-bartending.htm
- https://theculturetrip.com/europe/united-kingdom/england/london/articles/why-is-london-dry-gin-called-that-and-how-is-it-made/
- https://www.newsweek.com/amplify/30-fascinating-facts-about-wine-that-you-never-knew
- https://www.britannica.com/topic/gin-liquor
