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In Catalonia vermouth has a great tradition, despite the fact that it originates in ancient Greece. It is said that its precursor was made by Hippocrates, who to macerate wine used a mixture based on wormwood, a very bitter aromatic plant, and dittany, a medicinal herb. Later it was the Italians who continued the tradition of macerating wines with wormwood, orange peel, quinine or cinnamon. One of the pioneers, Antonio Benedetto Carpano, a tavern owner, industrialized this process in Turin in 1786, and put it on sale. Later, famous vermouth brands such as Martini or Cinzano emerged. In Spain, it was the Italian Perucchi who in 1860 imported his recipe to our country and chose the city of Barcelona to produce it. Hence, Catalonia is considered the cradle of Spanish vermouth.
Vermouth is the undisputed protagonist of the aperitif
The aperitif moment is deeply rooted in Spain, and it is an ideal and informal moment to take a short break at midday and enjoy a chat with friends. Of course, there are those who choose to have a few beers, but in Catalonia for years, vermouth has been the Sunday drink to be enjoyed with the family. In Barcelona, for some time now, this tradition has been coming back and returned to its prominence in many bars.
The Vermouth Liturgy
That being said, what exactly is vermouth? It is a drink based on wine, wormwood and herbs, usually accompanied by olives, fried potatoes or bravas, cockles or other preserves, anchovies in vinegar and also dried fruits.
The perfect formula is very simple: a low glass, a little ice, lemon or orange peel, a splash from the soda syphon, if you want, an olive or banderilla and the vermouth itself, which should preferably be from the barrel or craft made.
The best places in Barcelona to enjoy a delicious vermouth:
Quimet & Quimet
It’s not just us who say so but all the guides in the world. Opening its doors in 1914 we assure you that this place is the temple of vermuteo. Their tapas are delicious and, of course, so is their vermouth. This century-old winery is small but is still a mandatory stop. A real symbol.
📍 C/ del Poeta Cabanyes, 25
Bar Mut
This place has a lot of charm and, if you don’t think so, tell Robert de Niro. It’s his favourite restaurant in Barcelona. El Mut is a tapas bar and a restaurant where they prepare delicious tapas, dishes and portions ideal for sharing. In addition to its excellent market cuisine, the atmosphere is wonderful as it is a classic tavern from the 1930s.
📍 C/ Paul Claris, 192
Bar Calders
In the heart of the Sant Antonio neighbourhood, Calders is the bar to go to. Share a delicious vermouth accompanied by its tasty potatoes with rosemary curry or the Sant Antoni potatoes that have melted cheese, guacamole and spicy sauce. The space, located in a pedestrianised street named after the Catalan writer Pere Calders, also has a terrace, and is one of the most popular in the neighbourhood. Good atmosphere, homemade food and vermouths.
📍 C/ Parlament, 25
Morro Fi
Another of the unbeatable classics where you can enjoy a delicious vermouth. In addition to specialising in its own vermouth, produced by hand in Tarragona, its brand image is great and here you can buy packs that include its delicious patatas gruixudes, preserves and Espinaler sauce, essential to accompany a good vermouth. The atmosphere is really very pleasant and if you are lucky and find a space on the terrace on a sunny day the experience will be amazing.
📍 C/ del Consell de Cent, 171
Bar Bodega Chiqui · Sushi grade
Bar Bodega Chiqui is a long-standing classic in the Barcelona neighbourhood of Sant Antoni. Here you will have a delicious house vermouth accompanied by gildas, tapas, mixed dishes or exquisite pickles, if that’s not enough, at Chiqui you can also eat spectacular sushi. And all this without losing the essence or the winery atmosphere.
📍 C/ de Vilamarí, 29
Bodega La Puntual
This classic winery is located in an emblematic building next to the legendary Xampanyet bar. Here you can taste high-quality tapas based on Iberian charcuterie, bravas potatoes, preserves, croquettes, as well as Catalan cuisine such as rice, octopus and other delicacies. Luckily, they have maintained the essence of yesteryear, this business has nothing more and nothing less than a thousand years of history. Ideal for great vermuting.
📍 C/ de Montcada, 22
The Chigre 1769
This original Catarian cider/vermouth bar, as they like to call themselves, is a love letter to Catalan and Asturian cuisine. For this reason, they offer Catalan and Asturian pleasures to be enjoyed in good company, and in family, in a relaxed atmosphere. This tavern located next to the Cathedral of Santa María del Mar is also a perfect place to try different vermouths from varied producers and origins.
📍 C/ dels Sombrerers, 7
