Italian Sweet Vermouth Spritz Cocktail

If you’re looking for a refreshing and easy-to-make cocktail, try this Sweet Vermouth Spritz! This Italian Spritz variation is made with sweet vermouth, prosecco, soda water, and lemon. 

If you love wine cocktails like this, make sure to check out my Tinto de Verano, a two ingredient Spanish wine cocktail that is absolutely delicious.

Jump to:

• Why You’ll Love This Recipe
• What is Sweet Vermouth?
• What are Italian Spritz Cocktails?
• Ingredient Notes
• Step-by-Step Instructions
• Expert Tips
• Substitutions and Variations
• FAQ
• Related Recipes
• Sweet Vermouth Spritz Recipe

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

• Refreshing and light: It’s perfect for warm weather or any time you’re in the mood for a delicious bubbly cocktail.

• Unique flavor: The combination of sweet vermouth and prosecco creates a complex, layered flavor profile that’s sure to impress.

• Easy and simple: It’s so easy to make – all you need is a few ingredients and a few minutes to create this Italian spritz. 

What is Sweet Vermouth?

Sweet vermouth is a fortified wine that’s been flavored with various herbs and spices. It has a rich history that dates back to the 18th century in Turin, Italy. 

The exact origins of the beverage are unclear, but it is believed to have been invented by Antonio Benetto Carpano, who mixed a harmonious blend of herbs and spices with a base wine to create a new and unique flavor profile. Sweet vermouth quickly became popular as an aperitif, and its popularity spread throughout Europe and the rest of the world.

In the 19th and 20th century, sweet vermouth began to be used as a key ingredient in classic cocktails, most notably in the Manhattan and the Negroni. Bartenders appreciated the complexity and depth of flavor that sweet vermouth brought to cocktails, and it quickly became a staple of the cocktail world.

What are Italian Spritz Cocktails?

Italian Spritz cocktails are a type of cocktail that originated in northern Italy and typically include a sparkling wine, a liqueur, and soda water. Spritz cocktails are a classic Italian cocktail that is recognized by the International Bartenders Association (IBA). The Spritz dates back to the 1800s when Habsburg Empire soldiers were stationed in the Veneto region of Italy.

The soldiers began to dilute Venetian wine with a spray of water (or “spritzen” in German) due to the higher alcohol content of the wine. This resulted in the creation of this iconic bubbly cocktail. The most recognized spritz is the Aperol Spritz, but there many other variations such as the Limoncello Spritz,  Elderflower Hugo Spritz, and Negroni Sbagliato Spritz. 

Ingredient Notes

• Sweet Vermouth: This ingredient is the star of the show in this cocktail, providing a flavorful base full of herbal and sweet notes that gives the drink its unique taste. It also known as red vermouth.

• Prosecco: A dry (or brut) sparkling wine, prosecco adds a light and bubbly texture to the cocktail that complements the sweetness of the vermouth. 

• Soda Water: The soda water provides a fizzy texture and helps to balance out the sweetness of the vermouth. You can use seltzer water or club soda. Tonic water is another great choice, but be mindful it will sweeten the drink a tiny bit more.

• Lemon Slices: Adding a few slices of lemon to the Vermouth Spritz provides a bright, citrusy flavor that enhances the overall taste of the drink. If you don’t have lemons on hand, try an orange peel for extra flavor.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Step 1: Add the sweet vermouth to a wine glass or spritz glass filled with ice. 

Step 2: Add the dry prosecco to the glass. 

Step 3: Top spritz with soda water. 

Step 4: Garnish with lemon slices or a twist. 

Expert Tips

• To properly store sweet vermouth, keep refrigerated after opening and try to consume it within a few months of opening to ensure that it stays fresh.

• Use a dry or brut prosecco to help balance out the sweetness of the vermouth and create a more refreshing, well-rounded cocktail. You can also substitute a dry cava or Champagne. 

Substitutions and Variations

• Try adding a few dashes of bitters in the cocktail to create a unique twist on the classic recipe. You can try either regular aromatic bitters or orange bitters.

• You can also swap sweet vermouth for dry vermouth (sometimes called white vermouth) if you prefer a less sweet cocktail with a more herbaceous flavor profile. If you use dry vermouth, you may find that you want to either use a sweet prosecco or sparkling wine and/or add a touch of simple syrup for balance. 

• For another vermouth based spritz, check out this Martini Bianco Spritz or Martini Royale, which uses vermouth blanc, a “medium-sweet” vermouth.

FAQ

What kind of alcohol is vermouth?

Vermouth is a type of fortified wine, meaning it’s been mixed with a distilled spirit to increase its alcohol content. The alcohol by volume (ABV) of sweet vermouth typically ranges from 16% to 18%, although it can vary slightly depending on the specific brand and recipe.  I used Carpano Antica, and it clocks in at 16.5% ABV. For reference liquors, like vodka or gin, average around 40% ABV. 

Can you drink sweet vermouth straight?

You can drink sweet vermouth straight, although it’s typically used as a mixer in cocktails rather than consumed on its own. Some people enjoy sipping it as an aperitif, either on its own or mixed with soda water or tonic.

What are a few good brands of sweet vermouth?

Some good brands of sweet vermouth include Carpano Antica Formula (this is what I used), Punt e Mes, Cocchi Vermouth di Torino, and Dolin Rouge. Each of these brands has a unique flavor profile and can be used in a variety of different cocktails.

Related Recipes

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