Cocktails

Plain Vermouth Cocktail

Plain Vermouth Cocktail is an alcoholic cocktail built on Dry Vermouth. It leans citrus, herbal and bitter. Served in a Cocktail Glass. Expect about 16.3% ABV and roughly 85 kcal (estimated per recipe).

Reviewed by the WhatDrink Editorial TeamHow we calculate nutritionSuggest a correction

Cocktailalcoholic16.3% ABV3 ingredients

At a Glance

85 kcalCalories

16.3%ABV

4.1gSugar

5.9gCarbs

0.55Std Drinks

Estimated from parsed ingredients and typical ingredient nutrition.

On this page

How hard is it to make?

Easy

Why: 3 ingredients

Estimated from the ingredient count and technique.

Ingredients

1.0 ozDry VermouthFortified Wine
1.0 ozSweet VermouthFortified Wine
1 dashOrange BittersBitters

How to Make It

See Vermouth Cocktail on page 189.

How to Serve

Glass: Cocktail Glass

Taste profile

Primary flavours

Citrus Herbal Bitter

Supporting notes

Botanical Dry Red Fruit Spice

Flavor tags are derived from ingredient-level flavor mappings.

Estimated sensory profile

StrengthLight – Strong

BodyLight – Full

SweetnessDry – Sweet

AcidityFlat – Crisp

FruitinessEarthy – Fruity

BoldnessDelicate – Bold

Bold and complex

What do these dimensions mean?

When to serve

AperitifSuggested from its bitter and dry notes.
Happy HourSuggested from its bitter and dry notes, pairing with charcuterie and olives.

Occasion tags are inferred from drink style, serving format, flavour profile, food-pairing theme, recipe metadata, and strict multi-signal supplemental rule matches.

Food pairings

Charcuterie OlivesSalty Snacks

Food pairings are derived from the drink flavour signature, mapped to one dominant pairing theme, then limited to coherent public suggestions.

Diet & lifestyle

Compatible, based on the listed ingredients

Gluten-Free Vegan Vegetarian

May be limited

KetoLow-CarbLow-Sugar

Diet tags are ingredient-level and nutrition-estimate based. Product brands, preparation methods, quantities, and substitutions may change compatibility.

Alternatives to try

Choose an ingredient to see reviewed substitutions, or filter for a different preference.

Reviewed ingredient substitutions

Dry Vermouth1.0 oz

Dry SherryWorks, with a noticeable change

How much to use: Use the same amount, then taste; the result will be less herbal and more savoury.
What changes: Dry sherry can replace dry vermouth when a drier, more saline and less herbal variation is acceptable.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Lillet BlancKnown variation

How much to use: Start with the recipe amount and taste; reduce it if the drink becomes too soft or sweet.
What changes: Lillet Blanc can stand in for dry vermouth in a Martini-style drink, but it produces a softer and slightly sweeter variation.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Sweet VermouthNot a neutral swap

How much to use: Use only if a sweeter vermouth profile is acceptable.
What changes: Sweet vermouth is not a neutral substitute for dry vermouth; it makes the drink sweeter and rounder.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Sweet Vermouth1.0 oz

Rosso VermouthGood swap

How much to use: Use the same amount; adjust only for the specific bottle’s sweetness and bitterness.
What changes: Rosso vermouth is a sweet red vermouth and is usually a close replacement for a generic sweet vermouth.

Dry VermouthNot a neutral swap

How much to use: You may need a small sweetener adjustment if the drink loses balance.
What changes: Dry vermouth is not a neutral substitute for sweet vermouth; it makes the drink much drier.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Orange Bitters1 dash

Angostura BittersNot a neutral swap

How much to use: Start with the recipe’s dash count and taste; the result will be less citrus-led.
What changes: Angostura can replace orange bitters only when a warmer, more spice-led result is acceptable.

Vegan-compatibleVegetarian-compatibleGluten-free-compatible

Reviewed component substitutions are not guarantees that the replacement was tested in this exact recipe. Follow the reviewed adjustment note and taste before serving.

Preference filters use current ingredient, nutrition and diet evidence. They are not medical advice, and this database contract does not store user selections.

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Last updated June 18, 2026

Ingredients, measures and method are taken from the source recipe; roles and serving details are mapped from reviewed evidence.

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Related searches

Try alcohol-freeBrowse mocktails and zero-ABV alternatives.Make it lighterTry a longer serve style, more ice, soda, tonic or a lower-ABV alternative.Match it with foodFind food pairings that complement the flavors in this drink.

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Frequently asked questions

What is a Plain Vermouth Cocktail?: The Plain Vermouth Cocktail is a cocktail made with 3 ingredients, traditionally served in a Cocktail Glass. It has an ABV of approximately 16.3%. A standard serving contains approximately 85 calories.
What does a Plain Vermouth Cocktail taste like?: Plain Vermouth Cocktail has a flavour profile featuring Citrus, Herbal, Bitter, Botanical. The exact taste varies depending on the brands and measures used.
What food goes well with a Plain Vermouth Cocktail?: Plain Vermouth Cocktail pairs well with Charcuterie, Olives, Salty Snacks. The pairing is based on complementary flavour profiles from the recipe's ingredients.
How strong is a Plain Vermouth Cocktail?: The Plain Vermouth Cocktail has an ABV of approximately 16.3%. That's approximately 0.55 US standard drinks. This recipe is estimated to contain 85 kcal, 4.1g sugar, 5.9g carbs. Strength varies depending on the exact measures and ingredients used.
When is a Plain Vermouth Cocktail typically served?: Plain Vermouth Cocktail is often suggested for Aperitif, Happy Hour, based on its flavour profile and typical serve.
What drinks are similar to a Plain Vermouth Cocktail?: If you enjoy Plain Vermouth Cocktail, the "similar flavour profile" suggestions on this page point to cocktails that share its flavour character. Drinks with a matching spirit base and comparable body and acidity feel closest.
Can I make a Plain Vermouth Cocktail at home?: Yes. The Plain Vermouth Cocktail uses 3 ingredients, making it easy to prepare at home. You will need a Cocktail Glass. Use quality spirits and fresh ingredients for the best result.
What do the sensory profile dimensions mean?: Sensory profile dimensions describe key flavour characteristics: Body (light to full), Dryness (sweet to bone dry), Acidity (flat to crisp), Fruitiness (subtle to prominent) and Boldness (delicate to bold). Each scale helps you compare cocktails at a glance and find ones with similar character.
How do I use sensory profiles to find cocktails I like?: Compare the Body, Acidity and Fruitiness of Plain Vermouth Cocktail with other cocktails. If you enjoy this drink, look for others with a similar profile. Adjust one dimension at a time to discover new favourites while staying in your flavour comfort zone.