Vermouth

Vermouth is an aromatized fortified wine flavored with botanicals. It shows herbal, spiced, and gently bitter notes with a wine base, and ranges from dry to sweet styles sold as dry, bianco, or sweet; typical strength is 15–18% ABV. In the kitchen and bar it brings a brisk herbal snap to stirred cocktails, deglazes pans for quick reductions, and perfumes poaching liquids. Some producers use animal-derived fining agents, so suitability varies.

Originating in 18th-century Turin, Italy, vermouth spread through Italian and French traditions and became a fixture of aperitivo culture and classic cocktails worldwide. Production infuses wine with herbs, spices, and citrus peels, then fortifies and sweetens to style.