In our March/April 2024 issue, we explore all things vermouth, from its history to its different styles to which cocktails to make with it. But for those wondering where to go to enjoy vermouth, we put together this list of places around the world worth seeking out the next time La Hora del Vermut rolls around.
Amor y Amargo (New York City)
“Vermouth is squarely in our wheelhouse,” says beverage director Sother Teague. Amor built its reputation on stirred, bitter-oriented drinks, and this cocktail destination has 20 or more bottles of aperitif wines open at any one time. “Vermouth’s what we reach for when we’re looking for a juicy quality in a stirred cocktail,” he says. Bonus: It has a utility beyond cocktails. “Vermouth’s made to be drunk—drink it on its own, pour it over some ice, it’s delicious.”
Bar Electricitat (Barcelona)
For an authentic Barcelona experience, pull up a seat on the terrace of this 116-year-old Barceloneta bodega, one of the oldest bars in the city and a beloved local hang. With traditional tapas, such as potato omelettes, lacón, and bombas, there’s plenty to nosh on along sips of the house vermouth. For those who like what they taste, there’s the option to take a bottle to go.
Caffè Mulassano (Turin)
In Turin, the home of vermouth, a must-visit is this historic art nouveau café, which creates its own sweet vermouth and invented Italian finger sandwiches, tramezzini. “Small and cosy, Mulassano is the place where I go whenever I want to be understand how the vermouth hour felt in the late 19th century in the very city where the tradition was born,” says François Monti, vermouth expert and author of El Gran Libro del Vermut.
El Lopo (San Francisco)
Spanish restaurants are a natural fit for vermouth programs, and this Polk Street spot aims to bring that vibe home with its selection of Spanish and American expressions. “Vermouth isn’t for sipping on the couch during a game, or for pairing with a white-tablecloth dinner, or for getting turnt at 1 a.m.,” says owner Daniel Azarkman. “The best occasion for drinking vermouth is not having any plans, and just wanting to see where the evening goes.”
La Fuerza (Buenos Aires)
Argentina is a vermouth-drinking culture, and Buenos Aires offers plenty of places to experience this. This relative newcomer (which debuted in 2018) has the added benefit that its owners make several styles of vermouth of the same name. Vermouths are served with soda or tonic, or in a small assortment of spritzes and cocktails. In 2020 La Fuerza also opened Roma del Abasto, a historic Buenos Aires bar serving pizza and empanadas, and last year opened an extension of their eponymous bar in Mendoza.
La Hora del Vermut (Madrid)
There is no shortage of excellent vermuterias in Madrid, whether one wants an authentic experience sipping vermouth in one of the oldest vermouth bars in the city or finding a table at one of the more modern spots. But La Hora del Vermut, located in the famed Mercado de San Miguel, is a must for lovers of the fortified wine. Come for the much-lauded vermouth on tap or peruse the selection of over 80 bottles from Spain, France, and Italy. Those unable to find a seat at the bar can take their glass of vermouth along with them to peruse the market for tapas.
Los Galgos (Buenos Aires)
Restaurateur Julián Diaz rescued this “bar notable,” which had served as a meeting place for locals for 90 years, from closing its doors forever in 2015. After an extensive refurbishment and update, this historic bar has gone on to lead the vermouth revival in the city. At “hora vermu,” it comes alive with locals stopping in to enjoy vermouth with soda water from a soda siphon before dinner. Bring your own bottle to fill with vermouth or take one to go.
Museu del Vermut (Reus)
Reus has been a central focus of Spain’s vermouth culture for more than a century, with many producers and traditional bars calling the Catalonian city and the surrounding region home. Among the standouts is this museum, restaurant, and bar dedicated to the aperitif, with an extensive collection of vermouth-related advertising ephemera, and a wide selection of local vermouths joined by an international selection of the aperitif.
Quattro Teste (Lisbon)
“Vermouth Kills,” proclaims the tongue-in-cheek poster hanging in this cozy Alfama bar. With owners hailing from Spain and Italy, it’s no surprise that vermouth takes center stage here, with more than 30 expressions on the menu, and vermouth-boosted cocktails such as the Bio-Mi-To (a spin on the Milano-Torino) and the Aperitivo al Caffe (with tequila, Cocchi Americano, sherry, coffee bitters, and an orange wine–based vermouth).
Rosevale Cocktail Room (New York City)
“I got fascinated by vermouth, and this renaissance in the U.S.,” says Francesco Lafranconi, who along with beverage director Alec Kass created the vermouth program for this Midtown Manhattan bar that opened last September. “To me, it’s a cocktail on its own.” This dedication is evident in the roughly 200 vermouths the barkeeps on hand, available by the pour or by themed flights (as well as in cocktails), and listed in a menu that delves into vermouth’s history and detailed notes on each expression.
The post Where to Enjoy Vermouth Around the World appeared first on Imbibe Magazine.
