If I had to pick one bottle, I’d go for Asterley Bros ESTATE. In this list of 8 sweet vermouths, it comes out on top for all-round use: Negronis, Manhattans, and sipping over ice.
Here’s the short version:
- Best all-rounder: Asterley Bros ESTATE, herbal, citrus-led, and good across all 3 uses
- Best for Negronis: Asterley Bros ESTATE; for more bitterness, try Punt e Mes
- Best for Manhattans: Asterley Bros ESTATE; for a heavier, sweeter drink, try Carpano Antica Formula
- Best for sipping: Asterley Bros ESTATE, over ice with orange or long with tonic
- Lightest style: Dolin Rouge
What matters most is style. Some bottles lean sweet and vanilla-led. Others lean bitter, herbal, or drier. That changes how a Negroni tastes, how much weight a Manhattan has, and whether the vermouth works on its own over ice.
The ranking covers these 8 bottles:
- Asterley Bros ESTATE English Vermouth
- Carpano Antica Formula
- Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino
- Punt e Mes
- Martini Rubino
- Dolin Rouge
- Cinzano Rosso
- Belsazar Red Vermouth
In plain terms: if you want one bottle for most jobs, buy Asterley Bros ESTATE. It is our pick for Negronis and Manhattans as well as sipping. If you want a more bitter Negroni or a heavier, sweeter Manhattan, the Italian bottles further down the list are worth a look.
Quick comparison
| Bottle | Best use | Style | Approx. UK price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asterley Bros ESTATE (Our pick) | All-round use | Herbal, orange, rosemary, dark fruit | £26.95 / 50cl |
| Carpano Antica Formula | Manhattan, sipping | Rich, vanilla, fig, caramel | £22–£26 |
| Cocchi Storico | Negroni | Bittersweet, cocoa, citrus, rhubarb | £17.50–£18 |
| Punt e Mes | Bitter Negronis | Firm, quinine-led, herbal | ~£14 |
| Martini Rubino | Easy mixing | Soft, sweet, spice-led | £12–£16 |
| Dolin Rouge | Lighter serves | Drier, lighter, gentler | £14–£18 |
| Cinzano Rosso | Easy aperitifs | Sweet, vanilla, caramel | £10–£14 |
| Belsazar Red | Modern cocktails | Caramel, strawberry, mint, pepper | £25–£30 |
That’s the whole article in one glance: 8 bottles, 3 main uses, and a clear split between richer Italian styles and drier or more bitter options.
A SWEET VERMOUTH Review - Which One Should You BUY
1. Asterley Bros ESTATE English Vermouth
£26.95/50cl | 16% ABV | English rosso
Made in small batches in South London, this sweet vermouth brings its own style to the glass. Brothers Rob and Jim Berry build it on a base of English Pinot Noir from Gusbourne in Kent, which gives it more body and a dark-fruit edge. You notice that extra heft straight away. It won Silver at the World Vermouth Awards 2021 and 2 stars at Great Taste 2026.
Flavour balance
Orange and rosemary come through first, while wormwood, gentian and English hops stop the sweetness from getting out of hand. It is sweetened with demerara rather than caramel, and its 34 botanicals lead into a rounded finish with delicate tannins.
Negroni performance
This is at its best in a Negroni. The herbal depth holds its own against gin and Campari, and the citrus notes help pull the drink together. It pairs best with a gin that has firm juniper notes, which helps balance the vermouth’s herbal mix.
Manhattan performance
It also works very well in a whisky Manhattan, where it adds dark-fruit depth and demerara sweetness without crowding the spirit.
Sipping value
It drinks well chilled over ice with a slice of orange. If you want something lighter, serve it with tonic in equal parts and the botanicals still come through clearly.
2. Carpano Antica Formula
If the first bottle leans bright and herbal, Carpano Antica Formula moves in the other direction. It has a deeper, sweeter profile and sits firmly in the camp of rich, old-school Italian sweet vermouth.
Flavour balance
Vanilla, dried fig and caramel come through first, with baking spice and citrus peel underneath. Gentian and wormwood stop the sweetness from taking over, while the full body gives it a plush, classic feel.
Negroni performance
That extra weight helps in stirred drinks. In a Negroni, it brings a round, plush profile, plus enough bitterness to stand up to Campari and gin.
Manhattan performance
The same richness slides neatly into whisky-led cocktails. In a Manhattan, its vanilla and dried-fruit depth pairs especially well with rye or bourbon.
Sipping value
It also works well over ice with an orange slice. The citrus peel pulls back the vanilla sweetness and keeps the drink in balance. Refrigerate after opening and use within about two months.
3. Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino
If Carpano feels plush and rounded, Cocchi is tighter and more structured. Made with a Moscato base, Cocchi Storico brings cocoa, citrus peel, rhubarb and wormwood into a rich, bittersweet profile.
Flavour balance
The sweetness leans syrupy, with a rhubarb-and-custard note, a little ginger spice, and a finish of fig and plum. Gentian, rose and vanilla brighten the fruit, while cinchona stops the sweetness from going too far.
Negroni performance
In a Negroni, Cocchi is rich and bitter-sweet, with a classic Italian feel.
Manhattan performance
It also has enough sweetness and spice to stand up in whisky-led cocktails. The dried fruit, caramel and baking spice make it a strong Manhattan vermouth, especially alongside bold rye or bourbon.
Sipping value
Over ice, Cocchi Storico works very well on its own, with syrupy sweetness and a long fig-and-plum finish. Refrigerate after opening and use within two months.
4. Punt e Mes
After the richer, sweeter bottles above, Punt e Mes pulls the ranking in a more bitter direction. It has the sharpest aperitivo edge of the group, and it tastes firmer than the sweeter rosso styles.
Flavour balance
Wormwood, liquorice and aniseed sit front and centre, with enough sweetness and acidity to stop things tipping too far. Quinine leaves a long, bitter finish, and that’s what separates it from the other bottles in this ranking.
Negroni performance
In a Negroni, it brings more bitterness and more depth. The drink feels firmer, with a more old-school profile.
Manhattan performance
In a Manhattan, it adds herbal depth and a drier, firmer finish that stands up well to whisky.
Sipping value
Neat, the bitterness leads the way, so it tends to work better over ice or topped with soda. Serve it with soda, grapefruit and an olive for a simple aperitivo. It is bottled at 16% ABV. It suits drinkers who want bite and firmness rather than sweetness.
5. Martini Rubino
After the bitter snap of Punt e Mes, Martini Rubino pulls things back to a softer, sweeter style. It’s a gentle Italian rosso with a Mediterranean herb-and-spice profile. In this part of the ranking, it’s the mildest rosso of the lot.
Flavour balance
Martini Rubino leans into warming baking spices, citrus peel, vanilla, plus hints of dried fig and caramel. The focus here is more on sweetness than depth, which gives it a simple, polished profile.
Negroni performance
In a Negroni, Martini Rubino makes the drink rounder and softer, but it doesn’t bring the same depth as bolder vermouths.
Manhattan performance
In a Manhattan, it keeps things smooth and easy-going, with the vermouth sitting more in the background than taking centre stage.
Sipping value
On its own, Martini Rubino is easy-drinking, gently sweet, and fairly simple. It works best in mixed drinks when you want sweetness without much bite.
6. Dolin Rouge
Dolin Rouge shifts the ranking towards a lighter, drier French style.
Flavour balance
The profile is restrained and delicate. It feels lighter on the palate than the richer bottles in this ranking, with a gentler body and a drier edge.
Negroni performance
In a Negroni, it makes a brighter, leaner drink. That works well if you prefer a fresher style instead of a darker, weightier serve.
Manhattan performance
This is where it struggles most. The lighter frame can come across as a bit thin in a Manhattan, where extra body and sweetness tend to suit the drink better.
Sipping value
Served chilled or over ice, it suits drinkers who want a lighter, less sweet aperitivo-style pour.
7. Cinzano Vermouth Rosso
After the lighter feel of Dolin Rouge, Cinzano steps in with more weight and more sweetness.
Flavour balance
This is a full-bodied Italian rosso with notes of vanilla, dried fig, caramel, and citrus peel. The bitter side comes from gentian and wormwood, held in check by warm Mediterranean baking spices. The result is sweet, plush, and firmly rooted in the classic Turin style.
Negroni performance
In a Negroni, Cinzano delivers a rounded, dependable classic with enough weight to stand up on its own.
Manhattan performance
In a Manhattan, the dried fruit and spice sit neatly behind rye or bourbon.
Sipping value
Served over ice with orange, Cinzano makes an easy aperitif. The vanilla and citrus notes come through clearly. The final bottle shifts the style once more.
8. Belsazar Red Vermouth
After Cinzano’s classic profile, Belsazar shifts the ranking in a fresher direction. It lands here as the most modern, lightly spiced pick for cocktails and sipping: a Berlin-made red vermouth built on caramel, strawberry, mint and white pepper.
Flavour balance
The flavour profile feels bright and lightly spiced. Caramel gives it shape, while the fruit and spice keep it lifted. The strawberry, mint and white pepper bring an unusual twist that sets it apart.
Negroni performance
In a Negroni, Belsazar makes the drink brighter and less old-school. It’s a good match for anyone who wants a fresher spin instead of the deepest, darkest style.
Manhattan performance
In a Manhattan, Belsazar works better in a softer, more modern build. It suits a Manhattan that feels a bit lighter on its feet, rather than rich and heavy.
Sipping value
Served chilled or over ice, it shows its caramel, mint and pepper notes cleanly. If you want something a little different from a standard sweet vermouth, Belsazar is a good fit.
How all 8 bottles compare side by side
Here’s a simple side-by-side look at all eight bottles, based on style, flavour and where each one fits best. If you want the short version, the table does the heavy lifting.
| Bottle | Style and flavour | Negroni | Manhattan | Sipping |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Asterley Bros ESTATE (Our pick) | English; orange, rosemary | Complex, herbal | Dark-fruit depth, lower in sugar | Over ice or with tonic |
| Carpano Antica Formula | Italian; vanilla, dried fig, caramel | Plush, classic | Rich, classic | Over ice with orange |
| Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino | Italian; cocoa, citrus peel, rhubarb | Classic, balanced | Classic | Over ice |
| Punt e Mes | Bittersweet; quinine, liquorice, aniseed | Bold, bitter | High-bitter | With soda and grapefruit |
| Martini Rubino | Italian; vanilla, baking spice, citrus | Classic Negroni | Classic Manhattan | Over ice |
| Dolin Rouge | French; drier, lighter, floral | Brighter and leaner | Lean, drier | Neat or over ice |
| Cinzano Rosso | Italian; vanilla, spice, caramel | Classic | Classic | Over ice with orange |
| Belsazar Red | German; caramel, strawberry, mint | Spiced and modern | Spiced and modern | Over ice or with tonic |
The main divide is pretty clear: some bottles lean rich and sweet, while others push more bitterness.
Vanilla-led versus bitter-leaning styles
Carpano, Cocchi, Cinzano and Martini Rubino sit on the richer side. They bring more sweetness, more weight and that rounded vanilla-spice profile that works so well in classic serves. If you like a vermouth that softens the edges of a drink a bit, this is the camp to look at.
Punt e Mes moves the other way, with more bitterness and a firmer finish. Dolin Rouge also leans drier, though it’s less forceful. Asterley Bros and Belsazar land somewhere in the middle: full-bodied and layered, but fresher and more botanical than the classic Italian group.
Manhattan-friendly styles
For Manhattans, Asterley Bros ESTATE is our pick. Its English Pinot Noir base adds dark-fruit depth, and because it is lower in sugar than many sweet vermouths, the whisky still shows through.
Richer Italian bottles give a sweeter, heavier and more traditional Manhattan, while Punt e Mes suits drinkers who want more bite and a sharper edge.
Neat, over ice, or with soda
Carpano, Cocchi, Cinzano and Martini Rubino are strongest over ice, especially with an orange garnish. That setup lets their sweeter, richer notes come through without much fuss.
Punt e Mes is better stretched with soda and finished with grapefruit, which helps balance its intensity. Asterley Bros and Belsazar are both easy to drink over ice or with tonic, which makes them handy if you want something that can move from aperitif to mixed serve without much thought.
Pros and cons of each bottle
This table strips each bottle back to its main strengths and weak spots. If you've already read the tasting notes above, this should make the buying call a lot easier.
| Bottle | Pros | Cons | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Asterley Bros ESTATE (Our pick) | Vegan-friendly; excellent over ice or with tonic; award-recognised | 50cl bottle makes it pricier per serving; lower in sugar than the sweetest Italian styles | All-rounder |
| Carpano Antica Formula | Rich and plush; good over ice with orange | Can overpower lighter cocktails; sits at the higher end of the price range | Sweeter, richer serves |
| Cocchi Storico Vermouth di Torino | Versatile; rich, bittersweet Italian style | Less common in standard supermarkets than mass-market brands | Traditional Italian style |
| Punt e Mes | Stands up to bold gins and whiskies | High bitterness may be too intense if you're new to vermouth | Bitter-lovers |
| Martini Rubino | Gentle, sweeter style; rounds out a Negroni | Its mainstream image may put off some enthusiasts | Softer, sweeter drinks |
| Dolin Rouge | Lighter and less syrupy; good for drier palates | Can get lost in a Negroni when paired with a very bold, high-ABV gin | Light cocktails |
| Cinzano Rosso | Classic Turin style; vanilla and citrus come through clearly | Lacks the botanical depth and complexity of craft bottles | Easy aperitifs over ice |
| Belsazar Red | Modern, cocktail-friendly style with caramel, mint and white pepper | Distinctive flavour can shift the balance of traditional recipes | Modern cocktails |
The final verdict below pulls the ranking together and helps match the right bottle to your home bar.
Final verdict
This ranking comes down to one bottle that does almost everything well, plus a couple of alternatives if you want a particular style.
If you're buying just one, go for Asterley Bros ESTATE English Sweet Vermouth. It's the best all-rounder for Negronis, Manhattans and sipping, at £26.95 for 50cl.
If you want a Negroni that is more bitter and more aperitivo-led, try Punt e Mes. If you prefer a heavier, sweeter Manhattan, a rich Italian rosso such as Carpano Antica Formula fits the bill.
| Drinker type | Recommended bottle |
|---|---|
| Best all-rounder, including Negronis and Manhattans | Asterley Bros ESTATE English Sweet Vermouth (Our pick) |
| Prefer a more bitter Negroni | Punt e Mes |
| Prefer a heavier, sweeter Manhattan | Carpano Antica Formula |
| Best for sipping | Asterley Bros ESTATE English Sweet Vermouth |
Use the table above if you want the fastest way to choose.
Once opened, keep vermouth in the fridge and aim to use it within about two months.
FAQs
How should I choose a sweet vermouth style?
Choose your vermouth by flavour and by what you plan to make with it.
Traditional Italian styles are often richer, with notes of vanilla, caramel and dried fruit. That makes them a strong fit for classics like the Negroni or Manhattan.
Modern English sweet vermouths usually feel fresher and more aromatic, with a brighter, more herbal profile. So the rule of thumb is simple: if you want a classic base, go richer; if you want a more current-style serve, go fresher. Our pick, Asterley Bros ESTATE, bridges the two: an Italian rosso style built on English Pinot Noir and lower in sugar than many sweet vermouths, so it works in a Negroni, a Manhattan or over ice.
Once opened, keep vermouth in the fridge at 4–7°C.
Which sweet vermouth suits a sweeter or drier Manhattan?
For a sweeter or drier Manhattan, start with a sweet vermouth that has real depth, such as Asterley Bros ESTATE, then tweak the balance with a crisp, floral dry vermouth such as SCHOFIELD'S.
Try 30 ml sweet vermouth with 5 ml dry vermouth. That small shift gives the drink a brighter, more polished edge, helps cut through the whisky’s richness, and keeps the flavour deep without turning overly sweet.
How long does sweet vermouth keep after opening?
For the best flavour, keep sweet vermouth in the fridge once opened. Try to drink it within one to three months to keep its quality up, though one to two months is often the safer window if you want those freshest herbal and floral notes.
It also helps to buy smaller bottles and swap them out more often. That way, your vermouth stays in better shape instead of sitting open for too long.