Vermouth Spritz
A light, sparkling aperitivo where the herbal bitterness of vermouth meets fruity prosecco and a crisp splash of soda.
Ingredients
- Prosecco, chilled75 ml
- Sweet vermouth50 ml
- Soda water, chilled25 ml
- Orange, to garnish (optional)1 slice
- Thyme, to garnish (optional)1 sprig
Method
- Fill a large wine glass or tumbler with plenty of ice cubes.
- Pour in the cold prosecco first, so it forms the base over the ice.
- Add the sweet vermouth and let it mingle with the bubbles.
- Top with cold soda water.
- Stir gently with a bar spoon, just once or twice, to keep the bubbles.
- Garnish with an orange slice and a sprig of thyme, and serve straight away.
About this drink
The Vermouth Spritz is a simpler, vermouth-led relative of the Venetian Aperol Spritz and of the Italian habit of ice-cold vermouth as an afternoon drink. Modern aperitivo culture has rediscovered its low strength and bitter herbal notes as a sophisticated counterweight to sweeter spritzes. The 3-2-1 ratio of prosecco, vermouth and soda has become a kind of popular standard for balance and drinkability.
Questions and answers
What is a Vermouth Spritz?
A lighter, less bitter spritz in which sweet vermouth replaces Aperol or Campari. The result is a rounder, more vinous drink with the same sparkling, refreshing structure.
Dry or sweet vermouth in a spritz?
Dry vermouth works and gives a drier, less sweet spritz. Go a little easier on the soda, as dry vermouth has less residual sugar to balance.
