vermouth

A Manhattan calls for whiskey, sweet vermouth, and bitters, but the choice of whiskey and vermouth makes a big difference in the character of the drink.

Also please God pour out that old vermouth, get a new one and put it in your fridge.

You'll notice Lillet is much more meek than a sweet vermouth, even a relaxed Dolin.

The gin and the vermouth choice make a difference, as does the way they are mixed and how they are garnished.

For example, one program named all the variables after types of alcohol and had lines like: compute martini equals gin plus vermouth.

In the Netherlands it's 16 for beer and wine and 18 for hard liquor (>15% ABV, except wine, port, vermouth and sherry).

There's no units, it doesn't specify the ratio of gin to vermouth.

The best bang for your buck is Carpano Antica, a sweet vermouth with real complexity to it; the worst value is high end vodka.

Mixed drinks became very popular because now your Manhattan had quite a bit of alcohol in it -- a full mini bottle each of whiskey and vermouth.

> Also please God pour out that old vermouth, get a new one and put it in your fridge.

I'll drink straight vermouth (if it's good) as an aperitif.

Experimenting with variations on the original brand-name elements is doubtless a big part of the fun - Campari is a very sweet bitters, and Rosso Antico is a competent but not spectacular vermouth.

More like the historic flavor of "sweet" vermouth which was actually more bitter.

"Martinis, too, demand minimal dilution, so bartenders will stir gin and vermouth with dense cubes for several minutes to get them to the right temperature." That's nonsense.

For instance, a Dark Ages bar you'll be paying $15+ for a bird bathed style "martini" which is simply chilled vodka (martinis are not vodka, and they should have a measurable amount of vermouth) or you're paying the same for a proper 3-4 oz sized craft cocktail.

Vermouth, like wine, has a short shelf life once opened and really should be chilled to keep it's flavors.

Vermouth also has artemisia (though requirements vary regionally - I think in the USA it's not essential, whereas in EU the law requires some form of wormwood).