Drinking vermouth is much more than just having a drink: it is a social ritual rooted in our culture, a pause to enjoy, share and savor life. But have you ever wondered where this tradition of ours comes from?
The origin of vermouth as a beverage dates back to Ancient Greece, when Hippocrates, known as the father of medicine, macerated wine with herbs and spices to create natural remedies. These preparations were known as “Hippocratic wines” and were used for both pleasure and medicinal purposes. Over the centuries, this practice evolved, and it was in Italy in the 18th century that vermouth began to be made in a form more similar to what we know today: wine flavored with wormwood (from which the name “vermouth” derives from the German term wermut).
However, the tradition of “drinking vermouth” as we understand it today – a social gathering before a meal – was consolidated in Spain in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It was at that time when bars and cafés in cities such as Reus, Barcelona or Madrid began to offer vermouth as an aperitif, often accompanied by olives, anchovies, chips or preserves.
The vermouth time became the perfect excuse to get together with friends and family before meals. This tradition quickly became popular, especially on weekends and holidays, and is still very much alive today, both at home and in bars and vermuterias across the country.
Reus, Miró Vermouth hometown, has been one of the epicenters of this culture. With a long history of vermouth and a marked industrial and commercial footprint, the city has made a decisive contribution to consolidating vermouth as a symbol of good living.
At Miró, we are proud to be part of this history and to continue toasting every shared moment. Because drinking vermouth is not just drinking: it is celebrating tradition.
