Vermouth
/“Vermouth is vastly under appreciated, in my opinion. For without Vermouth, there is no Manhattan or Boulevardier. Without a Manhattan or Boulevardier, there is an emptiness in the soul. “ says M’tucci’s Founding Partner John Haas.
Like Amari, vermouth was first used as a medicinal drink, and can be traced back more than 3,000 years to China and India. The beverage is made by adding herbs, botanicals and dried fruit to a relatively neutral white wine. After aging, sugar and neutral spirits are added for flavoring and to raise the alcohol level, which is usually less than 20%. So, vermouth is both an aromatized and fortified wine. While vermouth is made in several countries, the most popular come from France (white and dry) and Italy (red and sweet). Some of the flavorings include chamomile, gentian and wormwood. In Italy, the most common grape in vermouth is trebbiano. The word vermouth comes from the French pronunciation of the German word for wormwood, Wermut.
An Italian merchant, Antonio Benedetto Carpano, is credited for creating the first modern vermouth in Turin, Italy in 1786. The flavor profile that he created still exists today in Italian sweet vermouth: bitter, dark red, with vanilla and sweet cherry flavors. Today’s Carpano Antica sweet vermouth is THE sweet vermouth used for a Manhattan, Boulevardier, Negroni and many more cocktails. Of course, it’s the sweet vermouth used at all M’tucci’s restaurants. Its big flavor can stand up to rye in a Manhattan or bourbon in a Boulevardier. I also love it in a La Rosita (reposado tequila, Carpano Antica, Dolin Dry Vermouth, Campari & a dash of bitters) and a Negroni Sbagliato (Carpano Antica, Campari & prosecco).
French sweet vermouth, like Noilly Prat or Dolin tend to have a lighter flavor and are suited for cocktails other than those with rye whiskey.
White or blanc vermouth was formulated in Chambéry, France at the foot of the Alps, then adapted by the Italians. Blanc or bianco vermouths are similar is sweetness to reds, but are less spicy and more herbal. We use Italian bianco vermouth for our martinis, but we also have Cinzano Dry. Dry vermouths are lighter and less bitter than bianco vermouth.
Death & Co. (a popular cocktail bar in Manhattan, Denver and Los Angeles) cocktail books suggest making a martini by mixing the gin and Dolin Dry vermouth half and half, with a dash of orange bitters and a lemon twist. Try that “I’ll have a very dry martini” fans!
The sweetness in vermouth compliments the high alcohol spirits such as gin or whiskey and it is vital for bringing balance to martinis and manhattans. Speaking of balance in martinis and manhattans, technique is very important in making a balanced drink, instead of one that smacks you in the face with hot alcohol flavors. Next time you are at the bar, watch our bartenders when they stir one of these drinks before serving. Count the seconds that they stir. We would NEVER simply pour gin and vermouth into a glass of ice and serve it.
There are a few other aromatized and fortified wines that taste similar to vermouth, but are different because they rely on just a few ingredients for flavoring. Not surprisingly, one is French and the other is Italian. Lillet Blanc is a very nice aperitif wine, only slightly bitter with sweet, floral aromas. Try some on the rocks with a wedge of orange. Italy’s Cocchi Americano Bianco also has a mildly bitter, orange flavor. Try either as a substitute for Dry or Bianco Vermouth in a cocktail.
Since vermouth is wine-based, buy small bottles and refrigerate them after opening.
Regardless of how you like your vermouth, don’t hesitate to try one on the rocks alone, with a splash of seltzer and maybe a lemon twist or orange twist. Either is the perfect aperitivo to stimulate your taste buds for dinner.
NEWS FROM M’TUCCI’S
M’tucci’s Twenty-Five
Opening in Mid-February
4949 Pan American Highway NW, Albuquerque, NM - Next to Tomasita’s - South of Jefferson
We are looking for a few skilled and motivated servers, kitchen staff and bartenders. You can apply for a position at any of our locations online by clicking here or by going to the “Join Our Team” page on this website.
Next week we will introduce the management and kitchen team followed by photos of the interior. We plan to share our new menu with you during the first week of February and we will announce an opening date within the next week or two.
Watch this space and our Facebook page and Instagram feed for updates and news about our opening week. You can find us on both social media platforms: @mtuccistwentyfive Please Follow us Now!
Working on the new menu: Chefs John, Omar, Damian, Shawn and Alfredo.
M’tucci’s @ Lava Rock Brewing Company
Happy Hour Monday - Friday 3:00 - 6:30
Daily Specials Begin Sunday!! Check them out!!
Sunday - Happy Hour all Day - SUPER BOWL SUNDAY, TOO!!
Monday - Margherita Mondays - $5 small pizza, add a pint and it’s $10
Tuesday - $2 Tuesdays - All pints $2 (except seasonals) and $2 off all Appetizers
Wednesday - Wing Wednesday - 2 pounds of our special house brined wings in 3 flavors for $8
Thursday & Friday - Live Music and regular Happy Hour
2020 Lunch Special
Every 20th guest who comes in for lunch between 11:00 & 3:00 Monday - Friday gets lunch on M’tucci’s. Who said there’ no such thing as a free lunch??
Happy Hour Menu features The Burger, a 10” Margherita or Pepperoni Green Chile Pizza, Charcuterie Boards and Wings for $7, . $1 off all pints. You can catch your favorite team on one of our large five screens.
Live Music at Lava Rock, we’ll have live music every Thursday from 6:00 - 8:00 and Fridays from 8:00 - 10:00.
January Live Music - Thursdays @ 6:00 and Fridays @ 8:00
1/24 - Cali Shaw
1/30 - Oscar Butler & 1/31 - Mario DeHuerta
Ram and Steve filling the M’tucci’s bourbon barrel with Seismic Stout and a “secret ingredient”.
M’tucci’s Italian
Weekend Specials
Cut of the Day - 24 oz Hand Cut Porterhouse, Salt Water Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus and a Balsamic Reduction
Pan-Seared Fish - Hawaiian Ono, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Sautéed Arugula, Lemon Caper Sauce
Ravioli - New Mexico Red Chile/Three Cheese Ravioli, Caramelized Onion, Roasted Butternut Squash, Brown Butter Sage Sauce
Braised - Braised Beef Short Ribs, Garlic Mashed Potatoes, Grilled Asparagus, Braising Sauce
Blood Drive 1/25 Saturday @ 10:30am
We are joining with Weichert Realty, New Mexico United and several local sponsors to host this very important event.
“Join us and save lives! Our goal is to get at least 50 blood donors! Text "Blood" to 505-365-6721 or visit http://wriabq.events/ to reserve an appointment to donate!
FIRST 100 DONORS GET A FREE NM UNITED "BLEED BLACK AND YELLOW" T-SHIRT!
FIRST 35 DONORS WILL GET A GIFT CARD TO THE PALETA BAR OR SPRING ROLLIN!
Special "Blood Themed" drink and food menu inside M'tucci's!
If there aren't any available time slots available on the website, don't worry! We will have some extra slots for walk-ins, just show up!
If you don't feel comfortable donating blood, we will also have an alternative food drive for canned goods!
We will be just outside of M'tucci's Italian on Coors and Montano from 10:30AM to 2:30PM on Saturday January 25th.
See you there!”
M’tucci’s Moderno
Weekend Specials
M'tucci's Pork Piccata
served with spaghettini pasta, tomatoes, capers, sautéed arugula and a lemon butter sauce.
Pan-Seared Fish: Yellowtail
Yellowtail has a buttery texture and bold flavor. Served with creamy garlic mashed potatoes, roasted artichokes, sautéed organic arugula, topped with a bright lemon caper butter sauce and smoked prosciutto powder
Cut of the Day: T-Bone
Hand cut in house and grilled to perfection. Served with crispy saltwater potatoes, grilled asparagus and our traditional Italian Salsa Verde
Ask about our wonderful wine pairings!
Live Music
Tonight 8:00: Melissa Rios
1/30 @ 7:00: Amy Cliser
Ciao! See you next week.
