National Vermouth Day

National Vermouth Day, observed annually on March 21, celebrates vermouth, a fortified wine flavored with botanicals such as herbs, spices, fruit, and flowers. Vermouth comes in a range of styles, from sweet and spiced to dry, herbaceous, and bitter. It can be enjoyed as an apéritif or used in cocktails including the Martini, Manhattan, and Negroni. Majestic’s guide to International Vermouth Day also describes the day as an opportunity to rediscover the beverage.

Vermouth is made by fortifying a wine with clear alcohol and then adding botanicals; producers may age the blend for several weeks or months. Wormwood has historically been an important ingredient, and the name is connected to Wermut, the German word for wormwood. Sweet red vermouth is commonly associated with Manhattans and Negronis, while dry white vermouth is often used in Martinis and may be served as an apéritif. Hop Culture explains the varieties and production of vermouth.

Accounts of vermouth’s early history reach back centuries. One source traces its beginnings to wormwood-infused wines made by the Romans, while another says vermouth rose in popularity in the fifteenth century. Italian Antonio Benedetto Carpano is credited with making the first sweet vermouth in 1786, and Frenchman Joseph Noilly with making the first dry vermouth in 1813.

How to Observe National Vermouth Day

Celebrate by sampling a sweet red, dry white, or another style of vermouth. Enjoy it on its own as an apéritif, or mix it into a Martini, Manhattan, or Negroni. You can also compare vermouths from different producers and notice how their grapes, herbs, spices, and other botanicals affect the flavor. Save a small pour for cooking or cocktail experimentation, and enjoy responsibly.

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