Arguably, the original cocktail vermouth, rosso/rouge/sweet vermouths, add botanical complexity and richness to recipes and are key to many classics, from the Manhattan to the Negroni.
At the time of compiling this in late July 2004, there were 1,035 Difford's Guide rosso/sweet vermouth cocktails, and the following are my section of the 40 best cocktails using rosso/sweet vermouth.
A beautifully balanced, spirit-forward, stirred, cognac-based cocktail with Vermouth di Torino and herbal liqueur.
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A boozy brandy-influenced 'wet' and 'sweet' Martini with a hint of orange. The zesty orange notes help the cleansing attributes of this...
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Bittersweet, lightly effervescent, long and refreshing.
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Concentrated lightly herbal apple with subtle zesty citrus. Stupidly simple and quick to make, yet delicious.
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The simplest, one of the best and dryest renditions of the Bamboo cocktail. It may be simple but the combination of vermouth and fino makes for a...
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It is not uncommon to see Bijou recipes with equal parts gin, Chartreuse and rosso vermouth, as called for in Harry Johnson's Bartender's Manual...
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The equal parts Blood and Sand (scotch, cherry brandy, sweet vermouth, and orange juice) formula from the 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book is the...
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This recipe combines elements from the world's most respected writers of vintage recipes – the base formula comes from Harry Craddock's 1930 The...
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This subtly mandarin orange-influenced Sweet Manhattan is made drier and all the more complex, not by dashes of bitters, but by a slug of Italian...
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Despite the generous dose of Italian 'sweet' vermouth, rye whiskey shines in this harmonious Sweet Manhattan-like dry cocktail.
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This Italian-American blend is better and even more gripping than Godfather II.
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This long, refreshing, fruity cocktail mimics the characteristics of a Pimm's Cup but with the punch and fullness flavour, reminiscent of distant...
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The botanical notes of old tom with herbal vermouth, zesty citrus and sweet maraschino. Reminiscent of a Last Word without Chartreuse.
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A bittersweet Manhattan-style lightly sparkling cocktail.
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A bittersweet, herbal old-school drink that's in line for rediscovery.
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Remembering both vermouth and gin are flavoured with similar botanicals, they obviously have an affinity for each other. This drink may be simple...
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When made well, this classic, which is basically a Sweet Martini influenced by the addition of bittersweet and aromatic fernet liqueur, is...
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Old-school, but approachably so. Dry and herbal. A great apéritif.
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A Bronx with equal parts rosso and dry vermouths and with Angostura in place of orange bitters.
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Blended Irish whiskey replaces richer bourbon in this mellow yet dry riff on the classic Boulevardier.
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Deep mahogany in colour and with a flavour that's recognisably part of the Negroni family but with a flat Coke-like ferro china mellowing note that...
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Vermouth-based and bittersweet with anise and fennel, and depending on your scotch, also faint smokiness.
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With thanks to Bob Cook, a Discerning Drinker, who on 27th October 2020 left a comment with the recipe for this delicious high-proof whiskey, equal...
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Gin-forward with a kiss of aromatised wine and maraschino. For a more delicate "Kiss", cut the gin back to 45ml or even 30ml and add one or two...
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A rye-based Sweet Manhattan enriched with herbal liqueur and bittered with Peychaud's and absinthe. Originally made with equal parts rye whiskey...
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I prefer my Manhattans served "Sweet", or "Perfect " at a push. The Manhattan is complex, challenging and moreish. Best of all, it's available in a...
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A cherry brandy influenced Sweet Manhattan with extra complexity courtesy of a dash of absinthe.
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The cocktail that led to both the Negroni and the Americano. Pause and enjoy its simplicity before progressing.
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Glowing red, the Negroni manages to be both sophisticated and simple at the same time and is definitely for a grown-up palate - for many it's...
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As Dale DeGroff, this cocktail's creator, says, it's a Negroni softened by fresh orange juice and a splash of triple sec.
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A Sweet Manhattan with a herbal touch of Bénédictine and cognac. Drier and more complex than our Preakness Cocktail recipe.
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Charles H. Baker says of this twist on a Sazerac, "Treat this one with the respect it deserves, gentleman." As this relation to the Sazerac, I...
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Scotch whisky's answer to the Manhattan. The Rob Roy is classically made with Angostura Bitters, but in his 1948 The Fine Art of Mixing Drinks, as...
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A single malt whisky laced twist on a Boulevardier with Cynar replacing the familiar Italian red bitter liqueur.
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Chartreuse fans will love this Irish whiskey-forward nightcap.
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Simple but very tasty, equal parts old tom gin and sweet vermouth with aromatic bitters. Winter's original 1884 recipe calls for "Peruvian bitters"...
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Mezcal adds a faintly smoky note to this riff on the classic Blood & Sand. The proportion of spirit and orange juice is slightly raised from the...
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A Sweet Manhattan served on-the-rocks with added herbal complexity and an all-important splash and dash or two of New Orleans bitters. Driven by...
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It may go against modern bartending etiquette, but this modern riff on the original equal parts Waldorf is best enjoyed shaken rather than stirred...
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Apple brandy with complex botanical influences from both gin and Chartreuse mellowed by botanically enriched fortified wine. If you like...
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The Strucchi range pays homage to Arnaldo Strucchi, author of one of the most significant and detailed manuals on Vermouth of Turin, which remains...
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The Strucchi range pays homage to Arnaldo Strucchi, author of one of the most significant and detailed manuals on Vermouth of Turin, which remains...
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The Strucchi range pays homage to Arnaldo Strucchi, author of one of the most significant and detailed manuals on Vermouth of Turin, which remains...
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