Marianito, the vermouth in Bilbao

Vermouth, that spicy and flavoured old wine that is both sweet and bitter, is a rite of passage at the start of the weekend or days off.

In Bilbao, and also in the rest of the country, there are many bars and restaurants that are specialists in preparing it.

From 12:00 noon onwards, people order a ‘marianito’, that is, a vermouth, either white or red, in a small glass, almost always on the rocks and often with an olive.

The ‘marianito’ is the vermouth of those who stroll from bar to bar chatting. The famous txikiteo.

Vermouth, often served in a whisky glass and in a larger portion, is the ideal aperitif for a terrace table, a long conversation, a few gildas and a quiet drink.

Vermouth is an aperitif for all tastes, widespread and redundant.

You have to choose where to order a ‘ready-made vermouth’, chilled in a mixing glass, spiked with gin, scented with orange peel, and served in a Martini glass. Another alternative is a dry martini, suitable only for the fierce and strong-willed.

In Bilbao, Gogoa, Jaime, Basaras, Gallo Negro, Morrocotuda or Monty are highly recommended; in Mungia, Txomin; in Balmaseda, Geo Cocktail. However, in Durango, Gernika, Elorrio, Lekeitio, Plentzia and almost any other town in Bizkaia you can find good vermouth.

For the evening dry martini, Sir Winston Churchill, Residence or The Mula de Moscú, for instance. And vermouth is but the beginning.

THE VERMOUTH ROUTE, IN MAY

Cinzano’s ‘El Vermut de la Ciudad’ returns once again this year to Bizkaia to find the best prepared vermouth and the best way of representing the essence of the city of Bilbao.

This initiative, in collaboration with the BilbaoCentro Business Association, will be held in the city from the 9th to the 26th of May. During these days, people in Bilbao will have the chance to enjoy the proposals of those establishments participating in the route that want to amaze with unique and authentic creations.

The full list of establishments taking part can be consulted on the website.