Indulge in this simple Vermouth Cassis recipe! Crafted with vermouth, crème de cassis, soda water and a twist of lemon, this refreshing cocktail is an absolute delight for spring.
Prep time:
1 minute
Mixing time:
1 minute
Servings:
1
Calories:
131
Ingredients
- 2 oz Dry Vermouth
- ½ oz Crème de Cassis
- 5 oz Soda water - to top up, adjusting to taste
- Ice cubes
- Lemon zest twist - for garnish, optional
Equipment
- Highball Glass
- Measuring Jigger
- Stirrer or Bar Spoon
Instructions
- Prep Glass: Fill your highball glass with ice cubes.
- Add Vermouth: Pour 2 oz Dry Vermouth over the ice.
- Add Crème de Cassis: Measure and pour ½ oz Crème de Cassis into the glass. Stir to combine.
- Top Up with Soda: Fill the rest of the glass with approx. 5 oz Soda water, but adjust to taste and to the size of the glass.
- Stir Gently: Use a bar spoon to stir the ingredients gently.
- Garnish: Place a lemon twist into the glass for garnish (express the lemon zest on top of the glass and place it on the rim of the glass or drop it into the drink).
Notes
Substitutes:
- Dry Vermouth: Extra dry vermouth will work as well for this recipe. You can also use white vermouth (“blanc”/”bianco”), but keep in mind that this will make a sweeter drink; you may have to adjust the quantities. Last but not least, you can also use Lillet Blanc for an interesting twist on this drink.
- Crème de Cassis: If you can't find crème de cassis, blackcurrant syrup or blackcurrant liqueur can be used as a substitute. If using syrup, start with a smaller quantity (⅓ oz) and adjust to taste.
Making a Pitcher of Vermouth Cassis:
- Scale: To make a pitcher that serves 8, multiply all the ingredients by 8. That would be 16 oz of dry vermouth and 4 oz of crème de cassis.
- Mix: In a large pitcher, combine the dry vermouth and crème de cassis. Stir well.
- Serve: Pour the mixture into ice-filled highball glasses (approx. ⅓ of the glass), top up with soda water, garnish with a lemon twist, and serve immediately.
Making it Non-Alcoholic:
- Dry Vermouth Substitute: Opt for a non-alcoholic vermouth (Martini Floreale for instance). These are usually widely available in liquor stores. Non-alcoholic dry white wine or unsweetened white grape juice can also be used as substitutes.
- Crème de Cassis Substitute: Opt for a blackcurrant syrup instead of crème de Cassis.
- Proceed As Usual: Use these non-alcoholic substitutes instead of the regular ingredients, follow the original steps, and enjoy a non-alcoholic version. You may have to adjust the quantities depending on the substitutes you choose; start with a small quantity for each ingredient, give it a taste and go from there!
Making it Vegan:
- Check Your Ingredients: Most versions of this cocktail are already vegan. However, some brands of crème de Cassis may use animal products in their production process. Check the label or contact the manufacturer to ensure your crème de cassis is vegan-friendly.
- Proceed As Usual: Once you've confirmed your vegan ingredients, follow the original steps to make your vegan Vermouth Cassis.
What is a Vermouth Cassis?
A Vermouth Cassis is a fortified wine-based cocktail made of dry vermouth, creme de cassis, and soda water. This drink is relatively easy to make, requiring only three ingredients and simple mixing techniques. The exciting aspect of the Vermouth Cassis lies in its balance between the sweetness from the creme de cassis and slight bitterness from the dry vermouth, which creates an intriguing taste experience that appeals to those who appreciate complex flavor profiles in their cocktails.
What is a Vermouth Cassis made of – The ingredients
Here’s what you’ll need on hand to make your own Vermouth Cassis:
- Dry Vermouth: This is the cocktail’s base, providing a complex, herbaceous flavor that balances the sweetness of the other ingredients.
- Crème de Cassis: A sweet, dark red liqueur made from blackcurrants. It adds a fruity depth and rich color to the drink.
- Soda Water: Added last, soda water gives the cocktail a refreshing fizziness and dilutes the intense flavors just enough to make it a light, enjoyable drink.
- Lemon Twist: Used as garnish. It makes the drink visually appealing and adds a subtle citrus aroma that complements the other ingredients.
