Italian origin, German name and worldwide fame, vermouth has become synonymous with aperitif in many countries. What if we combine a drink with so much history with one of the trendiest Cuban mini cigars? Here’s why they work so well together.
No matter which country you are reading this from: for some years now, vermouth has been gaining followers and is already one of the favourite drinks in bars and restaurants, especially when the good weather makes its appearance and terraces are on the rise.
Vermouth is a wine-based drink macerated in botanicals and with a unique aroma. In fact, its name comes from the German wermut, which means wormwood, its basic ingredient. Its Italian origin is attributed to the mixture created by Antonio Benedetto Carpano at the end of the 18th century: sweet muscatel wine, sugar, caramel, alcohol, various spices, herbs and aromas. Only a few years later it became known as a regional product of Turin.
It arrived in Spain almost a century later from the north. To the strong tradition of vermouth in Catalonia, especially in Reus, is added the popularity it has in Madrid, where hanging the sign “vermouth on tap” is a plus for any tavern. In the Iberian country its consumption became so common, particularly before meals, that it turned to be synonymous with that moment, the aperitif time (vermouth time, meeting for a vermouth).
And faced with the ever-increasing variety of vermouths that can be found, which one to choose? The answer, like almost everything else when the palate comes into play, is that it depends on the tastes of the aficionado: rosso (red) vermouth is the most common in Spain and it highlights the aromatic nuances of herbs; bianco (white), more common in France, has nuances of flowers such as chamomile and roots such as licorice; rosé (pink), which mixes varieties of red and white wine in its base, is gaining ground thanks to its smoothness and sweetness; and dry, with less sugar, more alcohol and more bitterness, is preferred for cocktails.
How do you drink vermouth? In a glass with ice, with a slice of orange or lemon and an olive. Optionally, if a lighter option is desired, add a splash of soda siphon. Its versatility and moment of consumption make it an ideal option to combine with Cuban mini cigars, and among them we have chosen Montecristo Short. A trendy cigarillo, easy to smoke at any time, with a balanced flavour and rich in nuances, whose spicy and woody notes combine well with the sweetness and herbs of the vermouth. A fantastic duo to enjoy your next aperitif.
