Vermouth Nutrition Facts and Health Benefits

Vermouth is commonly known as one of the main ingredients in a martini. Typically, it is shaken or stirred with either vodka or gin and garnished with olives or a cocktail onion. Unless you are like James Bond—then make it a thin slice of lemon peel.

Likely one of the oldest forms of alcoholic beverages, vermouth is aromatized wine with herbs, spices, barks, flowers, seeds, roots, and more that have been fortified with distilled alcohol to keep from spoiling. Vermouth comes in sweet (red) or dry (white) varieties. Dry is known for its use in martinis while the sweet version is used in the whiskey-based Manhattan cocktail.

Along with its use in classic cocktails, vermouth can also be enjoyed on its own. Served neat, on ice with a citrus twist, or even poured over frozen grapes allows imbibers to enjoy the aromatic flavor. Vermouth has lower alcohol by volume (ABV) than liquor but higher than unfortified wine, typically around 16 to 18%. Like any alcoholic beverage, vermouth should be enjoyed in moderation.

Vermouth Nutrition Facts

A 1-ounce serving of dry vermouth has 45 calories, 0.1 grams of protein, and 0 grams of fat. Typically a martini recipe calls for just half an ounce, whereas a Manhattan asks for a full ounce, and sipping vermouth on its own would be served in 2 to 3 ounces.

Additionally, keep in mind that dry vermouth and sweet vermouth can have significant differences depending on the sugar content of the latter. This nutrition information is from Nutritionix.

Carbs

While 1 ounce of vermouth is not a significant source of carbs, what it does contain is considered an “empty carb” due to its total lack of dietary fiber. Keep in mind, too, that sweet vermouth tends to contain more sugar and thus has a higher carb content than dry vermouth. 

Fats

Vermouth does not contain any fat.

Protein

Vermouth is not a significant source of protein. A 1-ounce serving contains approximately 0.1 grams of protein. 

Vitamins and Minerals

Vermouth is not a significant source of vitamins and minerals. In terms of your daily recommended intake, 1 ounce of vermouth contains approximately 0.2% of calcium and 0.4% of iron.

Calories

Vermouth is relatively low-calorie in terms of the technical number of calories per serving. When choosing low-calorie adult beverages, vermouth is a nice option. Per serving, dry vermouth has just 45 calories, when compared to 1 ounce of vodka which has around 64 calories, and 1 ounce of whiskey which has approximately 70. 

Health Benefits

Although vermouth is an alcoholic beverage and should be consumed with caution, there are some indications that drinking wines in moderation could be beneficial to your health. Here are some potential health benefits of drinking vermouth.

May Be Heart-Healthy

Studies have often shown drinking red wine in moderation may be a heart-healthy choice. While it is not prescribed for its health benefits, experts tend to agree that those who already enjoy an occasional glass of red wine may benefit from its properties in terms of heart health.

One study found that people who drink three glasses of red wine every day had the lowest risk of cardiovascular disease. They also found that drinking wine daily decreased high blood pressure and the risk of myocardial infarction in men age 65 years and older.

Keep in mind that although vermouth is not the same thing as red wine, it is made from wine. Consequently, it is reasonable to infer that it will share some similar health benefits.

May Lower Your Risk of Metabolic Syndrome

In one study, participants showed that low and moderate wine consumption was independently associated with a lower risk of metabolic syndrome than alcohol abstinence.

Meanwhile, another study showed that when compared with non-drinkers, mature adults who drink one or more glasses of red wine per day were found to have a 44% lower risk of metabolic syndrome. They also had a 41% lower risk of high waist circumference and a 58% lower HDL cholesterol.

May Have a Positive Impact on Mental Health

According to one review, drinking wine in moderation has been associated with a lower risk of cognitive impairment and a greater total brain volume. But the researchers note that high amounts of wine have been associated with a greater risk of cognitive impairment. So, to get the most benefits, be sure to drink in moderation.

Allergies

Although it is rare, some people may react to grape proteins after drinking vermouth. Likewise, because vermouth is a fortified wine, it is often infused with botanicals, which can be roots, barks, flowers, seeds, herbs, and spices that may contain nuts, sulfites, and other allergens.

If you are allergic to nuts, seeds, or sulfites, you may want to avoid drinking vermouth. Keep in mind that vermouth is often used in martinis and other mixed drinks, so you should always ask what you are consuming, especially if you have known allergies.

If you suspect you have an allergy to vermouth and other wines, talk to a healthcare provider. They can provide testing that can indicate which substances you are most likely allergic to.

Adverse Effects

Alcohol is a drug and should be treated as such. Alcohol abuse and dependence are serious problems, and some people have stronger adverse reactions to alcohol than others. Speak with your doctor if you are on any medications to ensure that they will not interact negatively with alcohol.

You also should drink in moderation, according to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans. This means up to one drink per day for women and up to two drinks per day for men.

If you do decide to drink vermouth or another alcoholic beverage, be sure you also drink responsibly. Excessive alcohol use is responsible for 95,000 deaths in the United States each year, including 1 in 10 total deaths among working-age adults.

Excessive alcohol use includes binge drinking and heavy drinking, as well as alcohol use by pregnant people and anyone younger than 21. Binge drinking includes consuming four or more drinks on occasion for a woman and five or more drinks on occasion for a man. Meanwhile, heaving drinking involves eight or more drinks per week for a woman and 15 or more drinks per week for a man.