Vermouth is typically used in mixed drinks to add a hint of dryness and bitter flavor. It is good for both cocktails and cooking. If you are stuck in between your cooking process and you found yourself running out of vermouth, you can use its substitute to get the same texture as well as flavor in your recipe. Before going ahead to know about the vermouth substitute, you have to know what is vermouth actually?
Table of Contents
What is Vermouth?
Vermouth is basically a type of fortified wine. It is flavored with spices and herbs such as cinnamon, cardamom, chamomile, marjoram, cloves, citrus peel, and ginger. There are two main varieties of vermouth dry vermouth and sweet vermouth. Most commonly, vermouth is used in cocktails and desserts. Some popular brands are Noilly Prat, Martini & Rossi, and Cocchi.
Nutrient Profile of Vermouth:
- Calories: 45
- Fat: 0g
- Sodium: 2.7mg
- Carbohydrates: 3.4g
- Fiber: 0g
- Sugars: 0.3g
- Protein: 0g
- Calcium: 209mg
Health Benefits of Vermouth:
- Vermouth may boost your immune system.
- It may lower the risk of Metabolic Syndrome.
- It may have a positive impact on mental health.
What Can I Substitute for Vermouth?
If you are cooking a recipe that requires vermouth and you run out of it, you should use its substitute instead. Using a substitute in a recipe doesn’t ruin your food, but it gives the almost same flavor as well as texture to the food. Here, we have a huge list of the best substitute for vermouth that you can choose accordingly to what you have in your kitchen/pantry right now.
1. White Wine:
White wine is produced by fermenting process using a non-colored grape pulp. You can use white wine in sauces, risotto, stews, and seafood recipes/dishes. It helps to tenderize the meat due to its acid content. When it comes to replacing vermouth, white wine stands ahead in the queue. You can use white wine to replace both dry vermouths as well as sweet vermouth. When cooking with white wine, you should heat it for quite a while.
2. Dry White Wine:
Dry white wine is a good option for savory dishes. You can easily find dry white wine wherever you are in the world. The flavor of dry white wine is less intense when compared to vermouth. Still, it works best as a vermouth alternative in cooking. It’s a perfect 1:1 replacement for vermouth in stews, soups, seafood dishes, risotto, cocktails, and martinis.
3. Wine Vinegar:
Wine vinegar is also acidic in nature just like balsamic vinegar and lemon juice. It resembles acidity similar to vermouth in cooking. The flavor of wine vinegar is similar to dry vermouth. Therefore, you can use it in any recipe that calls for vermouth. You can use red wine vinegar to substitute vermouth or dry vermouth. Make sure you don’t mind the color of your recipe after using red wine vinegar.
4. Balsamic Vinegar:
Balsamic Vinegar is a must-have ingredient in the kitchen. It has a sweet-acidic taste as well as a unique umami flavor with a thick and dark-colored texture. It is a very expensive ingredient, in case you don’t have any issue with its price we recommend using it in a recipe that calls for vermouth. You can use this substitute for vermouth in vegetable dishes, risotto, pasta, sauces, steaks, salad dressing, and marinades. For a cup of vermouth, you should take 1/3 cup of balsamic vinegar and 2/3 cup of water to distill the balsamic vinegar.
5. Grape Juice:
Grape juice can be a great vermouth replacement. It doesn’t matter which grape juice you are using either white or purple. It’s a very handy replacement that you can use in a recipe. Grape juice adds both color and flavor to your recipe. Start with a smaller amount and adjust accordingly.
6. Lemon Juice:
Lemon juice and vermouth both have similar acidic flavors. Lemon juice is more acidic than vermouth so it’s better to use a small amount of lemon juice in a recipe that calls for vermouth. When the recipe requires 1/2 cup of vermouth, you should use 1/4 cup of lemon juice instead. You can increase or decrease the amount of lemon juice.
Don’t get confused between lemon juice and lime juice. Avoid using lime juice in place of lemon juice because the recipe that requires vermouth can’t handle the acidity of lime juice.
7. Sake:
Sake belongs to Japan. It’s a Japanese cocktail that is made from fermented polished rice. The starch is first converted into sugar then sugar is fermented to form sake. Sake can also have flavors of spices, herbs, fruits, and flowers. You can use it in marinades, sauces, soups, and desserts. If your recipe requires vermouth, sake can be a good option to use in the recipe.
8. Sherry:
Sherry is a fortified wine which is originated in Spain. It is produced from green grapes and then fortified with grape brandy. The nutty and briny flavor of sherry makes it one of Spain’s greatest wines. There are two types of sherry is available in the market cooked sherry and drinking sherry. Cooking sherry is strictly meant for cooking and is used as a food additive.
9. Apple Juice:
If you are looking for a liquor-free substitute, apple juice will do the work. You can use a similar amount of apple juice to the vermouth in a recipe. As you know that apple juice doesn’t contain any alcohol, so make sure when using it in your flaring treats, it won’t flame without the liquor.
10. Chicken Broth:
Chicken broth is one of the best vermouth replacements in cooking due to the heat and a hint of spice that many people like. It is an easily available substitute and very affordable as well. This substitute is versatile and used in various savory dishes including sauces and stews.
11. Marsala Wine:
Marsala wine is another fortified product. It contains a bit of acid and has a much sweeter taste as compared to sherry and vermouth. This adds a nice contrast to the dish. It works well with meat, pasta, and sauces. Its rich flavor contrast goes well with sweet dishes.
12. Red Wine:
Red Wine is made from dark-colored grapes. The color can vary from violet to brown. If you are making a sauce for meat dishes or a dessert, red wine works really well. Red wine is ideal for dishes with lamb, beef, and duck meat, stews, sauces, and marinades, however, it’s also a good substitute for sweet dishes such as cakes, cookies, and pies.
13. Lillet Blanc:
If you are making a martini with vermouth, then Lillet Blanc is the best substitute. It’s not like dry vermouth in terms of flavor and color but is also quite sweet. Lillet Blanc has citrus and herbaceous notes that you can’t get from the vermouth.
14. Olive Brine:
Olive Brine may seem like an option out of the left field, but it makes a “slapdash” type of dry Martini ingredient. As for drinking this alternative on its own, we’ll leave that choice up to you.
FAQ:
Can You Make Negroni without Vermouth?
Yes, you can make negroni without vermouth. Negroni can also be mixed without adding dry vermouth to it. You can replace it with Lillet Blanc which is a very popular French wine with herbs and citrus flavor. If you don't have this popular French wine, you can replace it with a similar amount of dry sherry.
Can I use Sweet Vermouth instead of Dry Vermouth?
No, you can't use sweet vermouth instead of dry vermouth. The sweet vermouth offers a sweeter flavor than the dry one. The tartness in dry vermouth makes it unique from its sweet version.
Now, you know the best Vermouth Substitute. You can choose according to what you have in the kitchen or you can also purchase from the market. Please! comment down below your questions, and let us know how much informative is this article for you. 🙂
