21 vermouth recipes

Vermouth cream of mushroom soup builds layers of flavor with two pounds of mushrooms, dry vermouth, beef stock, and a finishing splash of aromatic bitters for a grown-up bowl that buries any canned version.

From across Northern Italy there are many variations. A rich broth, juicy Italian tomatoes and rich herb simmered for a long time. I used a mixture of sliced mushrooms from my local supermarket and dried lobster, oyster and shitake mushrooms. Then used the mushroom juice in place of chicken broth. Outstanding reduction of rich comfort flavors.

Pasta tossed with green peas, scallions, and fresh basil in a butter-vermouth sauce. A light, spring-inspired dish that comes together in 30 minutes.

Classic French onion soup slow-caramelizes pounds of sliced onions in butter, then simmers them with beef stock, Cognac, and dry vermouth. Top with toasted bread and Swiss for the gratiné finish.

Veal and mushroom ragout with leeks, bacon, artichoke hearts, and dry vermouth braised in a casserole. A hearty French-inspired stew served over rice.

Soupe a l'oignon is the classic French onion soup with deeply caramelized onions, beef stock, vermouth, and cognac, topped with garlic-rubbed bread and broiled Swiss cheese. The bistro standard, done the long way.

Kale soup simmers smoky linguiça sausage with chopped kale, kidney beans, potatoes, and a splash of vinegar. Portuguese-style caldo verde with serious comfort and zero fuss.

Homemade green basil fettuccine tossed with fresh tomato-vermouth sauce and crumbled feta. A scratch-pasta Italian dinner with herb-infused noodles and a bright summer sauce.

Velvety mushroom barley soup with a clever trick: half the barley gets pureed with sauteed mushrooms for extra body. Lightened up with skim evaporated milk and a splash of dry vermouth.

Thin-pounded veal scallops seared golden, then plated with warm avocado slices and a silky vermouth-lemon butter sauce. A retro Italian gem that feels surprisingly modern, ready in under an hour for 6 to 8.

Creamy Shaker chicken noodle soup with egg noodles, vermouth-butter reduction, heavy cream, and fresh tarragon. An elevated take on the classic that's rich, herby, and deeply comforting.

A thick, rustic Italian-style soup loaded with penne, cannellini beans, fennel, zucchini, and summer squash simmered in vegetable broth spiked with dry vermouth. Low-fat, naturally vegetarian, and feeds 8 from one big pot in about an hour.

Filet mignon and fresh oysters marinated in vermouth and Creole seasoning, served over spinach with a zesty horseradish sour cream sauce. A bold Louisiana surf and turf that brings the bayou to your table.

Creamy vodka spaghetti with vermouth, lime, jalapeno, and fresh cilantro. A cocktail-inspired twist on vodka pasta that's equal parts bold and luxurious, ready in 35 minutes.

Layered lamb and Italian sausage meatloaf baked in a Bundt pan with bulgur wheat, pine nuts, pistachios, and Middle Eastern spices like allspice, cinnamon, and mint. A showstopping ring-shaped meatloaf.

Lobster steamed over fresh herbs and white vermouth, served with an emulsified watercress dressing and julienned peppers and tomato. An elegant, garden-fresh seafood platter.