Sweet Vermouth Drink Ideas

 

 

We are so excited to introduce our NEW Le Coqtail Sweet Vermouth and wanted to share some of our favorite ideas for how to enjoy it.  There are no rules, though, so we'd love to hear and share your ideas as well.

 

By Its Lovely Lonesome - enjoy your Le Coqtail vermouth like the Europeans and Argentinians do – in a lowball by itself over a king cube with a citrus twist—orange twists tend to complement the darker vermouths like Le Coqtail better while a lemon twist nicely complements the lighter vermouths.

 

Another fun and elegant twist is to serve your Vermouth neat in a chilled glass over frozen grapes.

 

Alongside the vermouth, a sophisticated accompaniment is a sifón, or bottle of carbonated water, which you may choose to top up your vermouth with.  You can use a bottled mineral water - Perrier, Pellegrino, Top Chico, etc. – or make your own carbonated water with a soda de sifón bottle you can find online.  Vintage glass sifón bottles are beautiful, though not necessarily functional any longer, since they were typically made to be refilled by a service.

 

Choosing your bitters – bitters are an essential component of the flavor experience and interplay in sweet vermouth cocktails.  You can play with bitters options to suit your style and preference.  Angostura bitters are deeper and more savory with clove and cinnamon notes while Peychaud’s is brighter, lighter, fruitier and sweeter in flavor, with notes of candied cherry, clove, orange, and anise.  Orange bitters have more citrus character with strong notes of orange peel and carmelized sugar with carraway, cardamom, and coriander spice.

 

Sweet Vermouth Cocktail Recipes

 

Manhattan – Rye or Bourbon - a timeless and elegant classic

• 2 oz. Rye whiskey (traditional) or Bourbon (for a sweeter, more luxurious and complex drink)
• 1 oz. PIWC Le Coqtail Sweet Vermouth
• 3 dashes Angostura, Peychaud’s, or orange bitters
• Luxardo cocktail cherry for the top garnish

Stir liquid ingredients in a cocktail mixing glass with handful of ice for about 30 seconds, strain into a cocktail glass and top with cocktail cherry garnish.  For an even sweeter twist, add about 5 ml of syrup from the cocktail cherry jar to the liquid ingredients.

 

Brandy Manhattan – a sweeter, more sophisticated take on the Manhattan

• 2 oz. Brandy or Cognac
• 1 oz. PIWC Le Coqtail sweet Vermouth
• 3 dashes Angostura, Peychaud’s, or orange bitters
• Luxardo cocktail cherry for the top garnish

Stir liquid ingredients in a cocktail mixing glass with handful of ice for about 30 seconds, strain into a cocktail glass and top with cocktail cherry garnish.  Brandy provides a sweeter, more sophisticated version than a traditional Manhattan.  For an even sweeter twist, add about 5 ml of syrup from the  cocktail cherry jar to the liquid ingredients.

 

Rob Roy – a rich and savory option with smoky hints

• 2 oz. Scotch whiskey (blended, typically, or single-malt as you please)
• 1 oz. PIWC Le Coqtail sweet Vermouth
• 3 dashes Peychaud’s or Angostura bitters
• Luxardo cocktail cherry for the top garnish

Stir liquid ingredients in a cocktail mixing glass with handful of ice for about 30 seconds, strain into a cocktail glass and top with cocktail cherry garnish.

 

Martinez – an aromatic, gin based Manhattan cousin

• 2 oz. Gin
• 1 oz. PIWC Le Coqtail sweet Vermouth
• ½ oz. Maraschino liqueur
• 3 dashes Angostura or orange bitters
• Orange peel for the top garnish

Stir liquid ingredients in a cocktail mixing glass with handful of ice for about 30 seconds, strain into a cocktail glass and top with zested orange peel garnish.

 

Boulevardier – a richer, warmer Negroni cousin

• 1 ½ oz. Bourbon
• 1 oz. PIWC Le Coqtail sweet Vermouth
• 1 oz. Campari
• Ice, for serving

• Orange peel for the top garnish

Stir liquid ingredients in a cocktail mixing glass with handful of ice for about 30 seconds, strain into a lowball glass on ice.  Use a knife to remove a 1″ wide strip of orange peel. Squeeze the orange peel into the drink to release the oils. Gently run the peel around the edge of the glass, then place it in the glass and serve.

 

Negroni – another classic, bright, herbal and fruity

• 1  oz. Gin
• 1 oz. PIWC Le Coqtail sweet Vermouth
• 1 oz. Campari
• Ice, for serving

• Orange peel for the top garnish

Stir liquid ingredients in a cocktail mixing glass with handful of ice for about 30 seconds, strain into a lowball glass on ice.  Use a knife to remove a 1″ wide strip of orange peel. Squeeze the orange peel into the drink to release the oils. Gently run the peel around the edge of the glass, then place it in the glass and serve.

 

Mezcal Negroni – an exotic smoky take on the Negroni

• 1  oz. Mezcal
• 1 oz. PIWC Le Coqtail sweet Vermouth
• 1 oz. Campari
• Ice, for serving

• Orange peel for the top garnish

Stir liquid ingredients in a cocktail mixing glass with handful of ice for about 30 seconds, strain into a lowball glass on ice.  Use a knife to remove a 1″ wide strip of orange peel. Squeeze the orange peel into the drink to release the oils. Gently run the peel around the edge of the glass, then place it in the glass and serve.

 

Americano – a refreshing summer drink

• 1 oz. PIWC Le Coqtail sweet Vermouth
• 1 oz. Campari
• 4 oz. soda water
• Ice, for serving

• Orange or Lemon wedge for the top garnish

Stir vermouth and Campari in a highball glass.  Add ice and top with soda water.   Stir lightly, then garnish with an orange or lemon wedge.