Review:

As the name promises, this cocktail is all about the vermouth, with the addition of maraschino liqueur and bitters delicately modifying, so their influence is far from obvious. And don't be deceived into thinking the touch of gomme syrup makes this cocktail sweet; it merely contributes mouthfeel to this pleasing aperitivo.

History:

Fittingly, the "Vermuth Cocktail" is the first cocktail with vermouth to appear in a recipe book. Although this 1869 recipe in J. Haney's 1869 Steward and Barkeeper's Manual is not so much a cocktail, but simply vermouth served with ice and a lemon zest twist.

VERMUTH COCKTAIL
One wine glass of vermouth; one very small piece of ice; one small piece of lemon peel. Serve in a thin stemmed wine glass with curved lip.

J. Haney, Steward and Barkeeper's Manual, 1869

By Harry Johnson's 1882 New & Improved Bartender's Manual, the spelling and recipe for the Vermouth Cocktail are in line with those of today.

VERMOUTH COCKTAIL.
(Use a large bar glass.)
Three-quarters glass of shaved ice;
4 or 5 dashes of gum;
1 or 2 dashes of orange bitters;
2 dashes of Maraschino;
1 wine glass Vermouth;
stir up well with a spoon, strain it into a cocktail glass, twist a piece of lemon peel on top, and serve.

Harry Johnson, 1888

He repeats this recipe in the 1888 edition but swaps orange bitters for Boker's bitters.

102. VERMOUTH COCKTAIL.
(Use a large bar glass.)
¾ glass of shaved ice ;
4 or 5 dashes of gum ;
2 or 3 dashes of Bitters (Boker's genuine only) ;
1 wine glass Vermouth ;
2 dashes of Maraschino ;
Stir up well with a spoon ; strain it into a cocktail glass, twist a piece of lemon peel on top, and serve.

Harry Johnson, 1888

It also notably features in Harry Craddock's 1930 The Savoy Cocktail Book but with a much-simplified recipe.

VERMOUTH COCKTAIL.
1 Glass Italian or French Vermouth.
4 Dashes Orange or 1 Dash Angostura Bitters.
Stir well and strain into cocktail glass

Harry Craddock, 1930

Nutrition:

One serving of Classic Vermouth Cocktail contains 104 calories