Have you ever wondered whether or not you should put vermouth in the freezer? The topic of freezing vermouth has been a long-standing debate among wines and spirits aficionados, and it’s time to settle it once and for all.
As with many debates involving alcoholic beverages, the answer isn’t necessarily as clear-cut as you might think.
There’s no one-size-fits-all solution to this conundrum; ultimately, the decision about what to do with your vermouth is up to you.
To help make that decision, we’ve put together this article for you.
We’ll discuss the pros and cons of putting vermouth in the freezer, how long it can be safely stored there, and how to tell when that storage time has expired.
Let’s dive in!
Understanding Vermouth and Its Uses
Vermouth is an aromatic, fortified wine.
It has been used for centuries as an apéritif, a pre-dinner drink to stimulate the appetite.
Vermouth is made from a combination of wines and herbs such as nutmeg, cardamom, cloves, and cinnamon.
It has a sweet and bitter taste, making it perfect for adding complexity to cocktails such as Martinis and Manhattans.
Should you put vermouth in the freezer?
Well, Unfortunately, it is not recommended to put vermouth in the freezer, and for good reasons.
Vermouth is an alcoholic beverage and when kept in extremely cold temperatures it will lose its aroma and flavor.
The colder temperatures will also affect the texture of the liquid, making it thick and syrupy – not desirable characteristics when drinking your favorite drink!
Freezer temperatures can also alter the color of vermouth over time, causing it to darken or become cloudy.
Plus, colder temperatures can cause condensation on your bottles of vermouth – which can result in a contaminated product if stored too long or left out at room temperature after freezer storage.
It’s best to store unopened bottles of vermouth in a cool, dark place away from direct sunlight or any source of heat.
This will ensure that your vermouth stays fresh and flavorful when you are ready to enjoy it!
How to Properly Store Vermouth at Home
In some cases, you may be wondering if you should store your vermouth in the freezer.
The simple answer is it depends on the kind of vermouth you have! Here’s what to consider when it comes to storing your vermouth at home:
Sweet Vermouth
Most sweet vermouths last longer when they are kept in the refrigerator or a cool, dark place like a wine cellar.
It also helps keep them from becoming overly sweet or syrupy.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a fresher flavor, storing sweet vermouth in the freezer can help make sure it retains its bright herbal notes and fresh fruit flavors that make it so delicious.
Dry Vermouth
When it comes to dry vermouth, most agree that you should keep it in your refrigerator as opposed to the freezer.
Doing so will ensure that its delicate botanical notes remain intact and won’t dull over time.
If you’d like extra cold dry vermouth, taking it out of the refrigerator before pouring it into the glass ensures that all of its light, floral aromas can come through.
It’s important to remember that no matter where you store your vermouth in the refrigerator or freezer always check the best-by date on the bottle before you open it up.
Doing so helps guarantee that your precious bottle of liquid gold remains fresh and well-balanced until you’ve polished off every last drop!
What Happens When You Freeze Vermouth?
So, what happens if you put vermouth in the freezer? Well, it depends on the type of vermouth and how long you left it there.
· Sweet Vermouth
If you’ve got sweet vermouth, like Martini & Rossi Rosso or Cinzano Rosso, freezing them shouldn’t be an issue.
These will keep their flavor and texture.
You might find that they can get slightly thicker than when refrigerated but still retain their sweetness.
· Dry Vermouth
The real question isn’t whether you can freeze vermouth, it’s whether you should.
While freezing dry vermouth is possible, it’s not recommended.
If you stick dry vermouth in the freezer for more than 24 hours, it can become too thick for use on its own.
This affects its flavor and makes it hard to incorporate into a cocktail.
The best way to store your dry vermouth is in the refrigerator.
· Vermouth Cocktails
Though it’s not ideal to freeze either kind of vermouth alone, there are a few delicious cocktails where this can work quite well! For example: If you’ve got some negronis lying around, mixing them with frozen sweet vermouth creates an incredible boozy slushie with notes of mandarin orange and herbs.
Or if you want to make throwback martinis frozen dry vermouth pairs perfectly with vodka or gin!
No matter what type of vermouth you have on hand, freezing is an option but remember only do this with sweet vermouth as dry brands won’t last in the freezer too long!
Conclusion
All in all, if you want to experiment with storing your vermouth in the freezer, it’s worth a try and you can always keep a bottle in the fridge for good measure.
The truth is that the optimal place to store vermouth depends on the shelf life you desire; if you want to keep your vermouth for months or even years, you’ll need to keep it in the refrigerator, and if you want to keep your vermouth for just a few weeks or days, the freezer may be a better bet.
Ultimately, your storage needs will depend on how often you plan to use it and how much you have to work with.
If you’re a light drinker, the freezer may be an ideal way to store your vermouth, but if you drink more frequently, you may need to keep it in the fridge.
In the end, the best way to decide is to experiment with different storage methods and find what works best for you!
