There are more good dry vermouths on the shelf than there used to be, and at the low ratios most bartenders pour, the vermouth you choose changes a Martini more than the gin does. Here are five worth knowing, starting with the English one we make and reach for ourselves.
We make vermouth at Asterley Bros, so ours comes first by our own admission. The other four are traditional European classics you will find behind many bars.
1. Asterley Bros SCHOFIELD'S English Dry Vermouth
SCHOFIELD'S is our English Dry Vermouth (Gold, World Vermouth Awards 2021; 2 stars, Great Taste 2020), a collaboration with the Schofield brothers, bartenders Joe and Daniel. It is a complex blend of 28 botanicals, macerated in spirit and blended with English white wines, with a bouquet of aromatic white flowers on the nose and a clean, bright citrus finish. It is vegan, made in small batches in South London, and built to be the star of a Gin or Vodka Martini, a White Negroni, or a light aperitif over ice with tonic and a slice of lemon. At £26.95 for 500ml it sits at the premium, small-batch end, and it is the bottle we reach for first.
2. Noilly Prat Original Dry
A traditional French classic from Marseillan. Herbal and slightly briny, with an oxidative note from ageing the base wines in cask, it suits a classic French-style Martini.
3. Dolin Dry Vermouth de Chambéry
A light, alpine French vermouth from Chambéry. Delicate and floral, with mountain herbs and citrus, it is lighter in weight than the Noilly.
4. Martini & Rossi Extra Dry
A widely available, traditional Italian dry vermouth, and the bottle many people first learn a Martini with. Crisp and clean, with subtle botanicals and a low intensity.
5. Cinzano Extra Dry
Another traditional Italian option, a little fruitier and tarter than the Martini & Rossi, with citrus and green-herb notes.
At a glance
| Vermouth | Origin | Style | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asterley Bros SCHOFIELD'S (our pick) | South London | English, floral, clean citrus | Martini, White Negroni, aperitif |
| Noilly Prat Original Dry | Marseillan, France | Herbal, briny, oxidative | Classic French Martini |
| Dolin Dry | Chambéry, France | Light, floral, alpine | Gin-forward Martini |
| Martini & Rossi Extra Dry | Italy | Crisp, clean, subtle | Everyday mixing |
| Cinzano Extra Dry | Italy | Tart, fruity | Fruitier mixing |
How to choose
Start with ours: SCHOFIELD'S is an English vermouth built to be the star of the drink rather than the background. If you prefer the classic French style, Noilly Prat is the traditional example; Dolin is lighter and more alpine; and the two Italians are crisp, easy-going mixers. Whichever you pick, keep it in the fridge once opened and use it within a month or two: vermouth is wine-based and oxidises, and a dusty bottle in a warm cupboard is the most common reason a home Martini tastes flat.
Frequently asked questions
How long does dry vermouth last once opened?
Store it in the fridge once opened and it holds its flavour for about one to three months. For the brightest taste, use it within the first month.
What is the best gin-to-vermouth ratio for a Dry Martini?
It comes down to taste. For a drier, gin-forward Martini try 5:1 or higher; for a wetter, more balanced drink try 3:1 or 2:1. The wetter end is closer to what most of the world's best bars pour today.
Can I drink dry vermouth on its own?
Yes. Served chilled or over ice with a twist, a good dry vermouth is a fine low-strength aperitif in its own right. Ours is designed to hold up on its own as well as in a Martini.
Asterley Bros is a London maker of English vermouth, amaro and aperitivo, founded by brothers Rob and Jim Berry in 2014. We make our vermouth in small batches in South London, and yes, we think our SCHOFIELD'S belongs at the top of your list.