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Vermouth is a wine-based drink fortified with spirit and flavoured with species of wormwood; bitters are aperitifs or cocktail flavourings made from bitter herbs and peels. We send our range, including Martini, Campari, Aperol and Angostura, to your door in North Cyprus for your cocktails, from the Negroni to the spritz.
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What is vermouth?
Vermouth is the best-known member of the aromatised wine family. Under the European Union's regulation 251/2014, aromatised wines are at least 75% wine and grape products by volume, with an actual strength between 14.5% and 22% ABV; to be called vermouth, it must also be fortified with spirit and its characteristic taste must come from Artemisia (wormwood) species. The name comes from Wermut, the German word for wormwood. Modern sweet vermouth appeared in Turin at the end of the 18th century.
Vermouth styles
- Rosso (red): a sweet, spicy Italian style; the base of the Negroni and Manhattan.
- Bianco: pale but sweet; good neat over ice or with tonic.
- Extra Dry / Dry: dry and light; pairs with gin in the classic Martini cocktail.
- Rosato and aperitivo styles: fruity, usually drunk with ice and tonic or soda.
Bitters and aperitifs
The bitters shelf holds two different groups of products. The first are Italian aperitifs that take the lead role in the glass: Campari, created in Novara in 1860, is the main ingredient of the Negroni and Americano with its pronounced bitterness. Aperol, created in Padua in 1919, is sweeter and low in alcohol at 11%; it's famous for the spritz made with prosecco and soda. The second group are concentrated aromatic bitters, added to cocktails by just a few dashes. At 44.7% ABV, Angostura is the best known of these and is used in Old Fashioned and Manhattan recipes.
How to serve and store them
As vermouth is wine-based, it oxidises once opened; keep the bottle in the fridge and finish it within a few months. To drink it neat, a glass with plenty of ice and a twist of orange or lemon peel is all you need. For a classic Negroni, stir equal parts gin, Campari and red vermouth over ice. For something lighter, an Americano is made by topping up Campari and red vermouth with soda; for spritz-style drinks, have a look at our sparkling wine shelf too.
Highlights from our shelves
- The classic sweet red vermouth: Martini Rosso.
- For a Martini cocktail: Martini Extra Dry.
- The Negroni's bitter component: Campari.
- The orange star of the spritz: Aperol.
- Cocktail flavour by the dash: Angostura Aromatic Bitters.
For orange liqueurs and other cocktail liqueurs, see our Liqueurs shelf; the whole range is in the Raki, Brandy & Liqueurs category.
Frequently asked questions
How long does vermouth last once opened?
As vermouth is wine-based, once opened it oxidises through contact with air and its aroma fades over time. Keep the opened bottle tightly closed in the fridge and finish it, generally, within one to three months.
What's the difference between Aperol and Campari?
Both are Italian bitter aperitifs from the Campari Group. Campari is deep red, with pronounced bitterness and a higher strength; it's used in the Negroni and Americano. Aperol is orange, sweeter and around 11% ABV; it's best known for the spritz made with prosecco and soda.
How do you make a Negroni?
A classic Negroni is equal parts gin, Campari and red (rosso) vermouth. Stir the ingredients in a mixing glass full of ice, strain into a short glass over a large ice cube and garnish with orange peel. The variation made with American whiskey instead of gin is known as the Boulevardier.
How is Angostura bitters used?
Angostura isn't made to be drunk on its own but to add flavour to cocktails. Just a few dashes go into recipes such as the Old Fashioned, Manhattan and pink gin. As it's concentrated, a small bottle lasts a long time.
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