Spanish Vermouth: A toast with a taste of home

Talking about vermouth in Spain is much more than just mentioning a drink. It's about evoking a magical hour on the weekend, the sun filtering through the awnings, the first laughs of the day, and that delightful moment when time seems to stand still. When you live outside of Spain, vermouth is a ritual you miss dearly… but also one of the easiest to rediscover wherever you are.

What exactly is vermouth?

Technically, vermouth (or vermú , vermouth …it's all spelled that way) is a wine macerated with herbs, spices, and botanicals, to which a touch of sugar and sometimes a little extra alcohol are added. It's drunk chilled, with ice, and often with a slice of orange, a splash of soda water, or mixed with an extra spirit, such as gin.

But reducing it to its definition falls far short. Vermouth is a tradition with centuries of history. In Spain, it flourished especially in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, when small artisan vermouth bars sprang up in cities like Reus, Tarragona, Zaragoza, and Madrid. And today, in the midst of a vermouth renaissance, vermouth is back in fashion… although for many, it never really went away.

Vermouth time

In Spain, 'vermouth time' isn't just a time of day: it's a way of life. It's usually the prelude to lunch, especially on weekends, when you get together with friends or family on a terrace or at home. It's the quintessential aperitif. You order a vermouth, pair it with something to nibble on (olives, mussels, crisps, pickled skewers…) and let time slip by.

That time between 12:30 and 3:00 pm is almost sacred for many Spaniards. It's the moment to work up an appetite, to pause the rush, and to chat. A simple custom that, nevertheless, perfectly encapsulates what we miss when we're away: life around the table.

Vermouths to savor Spain from abroad

One of the wonderful things about vermouth is its diversity. There are sweet, dry, white, red, rosé, artisanal, industrial, classic, and innovative varieties.

If you live abroad and want to reconnect with the taste of home, creating your own 'vermouth hour' is the perfect ritual. All you need is a good Spanish vermouth, ice, an olive—preferably one stuffed with anchovy—and some crispy potato chips. If you can also share it with other expats or friends who love Spain, even better.

A toast with memories

Enjoying a vermouth isn't just about drinking: it's about toasting to everything we've experienced and everything that awaits us. To those endless after-dinner conversations, to our neighborhood bars, to shared stories, and to flavors that will never be forgotten. So, wherever you are, raise your glass and shout it out loud: Here's to vermouth, to Spain, and to us!

Because sometimes, one sip is enough to get you back home.

*You can buy our Vermouth Box with everything you need to create your own happy hour , including some good pickles, by visiting this link.