From the bartender

Vermouth and cocktails go hand in hand. They have done for years and will do for years to come.

The main reason is that vermouth is so full of flavour; it has sweet, sour, bitter and even salty notes depending on the brand. This flavour spectrum makes it incredibly versatile, and helps emphasise different characteristics in the products it is mixed with.

For many years vermouth had fallen out of favour – working at Melbourne’s Gin Palace, I would often hear people say “Vermouth? That’s what my grandmother drank when she was young!” – but due to the recent trend towards lower-alcohol drinks, vermouth has come into its own. There’s been an explosion of brands in response to this popularity, and with bartenders showcasing it in cocktails, winemakers promoting it as a drink to be served neat, and people writing books on the subject, the world of vermouth has never been so exciting. I encourage you to grab a bottle. Cheers!

Shaun Byrne