VERMOUTH

Vermouth is the quiet hero of the cocktail cabinet — an aromatized, fortified wine infused with botanicals, roots and bittering agents that turns up in everything from the Negroni and Americano to the Martini and the humble spritz. It's also delicious on its own over ice with a twist, the way it's poured across Italy and Spain during aperitivo hour. Whether you're stocking a serious bar or just want a bottle for Sunday spritzes, this is where to start.

Sweet vermouth for Negronis & Manhattans

For red, sweet vermouth, Carpano Antica Formula ($42.99) is the gold standard — rich, vanilla-edged and built for stirred classics; it's the bottle we reach for in any Negroni or Manhattan. For a Spanish twist, Becquer Vermouth de Garnacha Gran Reserva ($22.09) leans into Garnacha grapes for a deeper, fruit-forward style that's wonderful on the rocks, and Otto's Athens Vermouth ($27.09) brings a Greek, herbal character all its own.

American craft vermouth

The American craft scene has gotten serious about vermouth, too. Rockwell Native Amber Lot #1 ($18.99) is a small-lot, distinctly New-World take — bright, aromatic and a great everyday pour for spritzes and lower-ABV cocktails.

Build the rest of your bar

Vermouth rarely drinks alone. Pair it with the bitter aperitivo liqueurs in our Cordials & Liqueurs collection for Negronis and Americanos, top it with a dry prosecco from our Wine collection for a spritz, and see what fellow shoppers love in Best Sellers. New to the category? Our aperitivo & spritz guide walks through exactly how to put these bottles to work this summer.