What separates a good Martini from a great Martini is the perfect addition of vermouth! Although you may have typically used imported vermouth for your cocktails, why not take pride in using a locally produced vermouth instead? Welcome India’s first homegrown vermouth – Davana Vermouth Indica. After a successful debut in Goa, this homegrown brand is now expanding to Bengaluru, introducing its Bianco and Rosso varieties to discerning consumers in the city. Here’s everything you need to know about the launch of India’s first homegrown vermouth!
Davana is a vermouth crafted using a Chenin Blanc wine base and infused with 21 to 23 native botanicals. And a major standout in these botanicals is the ‘Indian wormwood’ or ‘davana’ in the local language, which gives the vermouth its name.
Davana was founded by Adarsh Gadvi and Evgenii Savvateev after over two years of development and more than 50 recipe trials. Vermouth as a category hasn’t been tapped into much in India’s mixology scene. Beyond classic cocktails like the Martini, Negroni, and the Manhattan, vermouth doesn’t enjoy much popularity of its own. However, Davana Vermouth Indica aims to bridge this very gap and educate Indians about this drink that’s a category of its own.
On the launch of this vermouth in Bengaluru, Co-Founder Adarsh Gadvi commented, “Bangalore is such a dynamic city for drinks — it is thoughtful, experimental, and deeply curious about flavour. After Goa, we decided to bring Davana to a market that would spark conversations around vermouth. We’re excited to showcase a new generation of Indian spirits made for the world — but rooted at home”.
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While we’ll come to the exciting new variants of the vermouth in a bit, what’s also a standout is the attractive packaging of the drink. The bottle is tall and striking, adorned with illustrations that pay homage to India’s rich culture and heritage. Through the use of cultural symbols like peacocks, tigers, lotus, and the davana herb, the brand seamlessly weaves a rich story steeped in India’s culture right on the bottle.
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Additionally, the label boasts of an embossed Devanagari logo that captures the attention of consumers the very moment they take a look at the slender bottle. In its entirety, the bottle (and the drink) embodies the very essence of Indian culture – including our design and artisanal craftsmanship.
Also Read 5 Dry Vermouth Cocktails To Try Your Hand At
Davana wormwood combines with rich red berries and other herbs and spices to deliver a balanced taste that offers bittersweet notes and fruity flavors. With a white wine base infused with a complex blend of botanicals, herbs, and spices, Davana Vermouth Indica Rosso is a bittersweet offering with a unique floral essence.
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 15%
Price: INR 1100 (Goa); INR 1350 (Bengaluru)
Food Pairing: Davana Rosso goes well with strong, savory tastes. Aged cheeses, such as Parmigiano Reggiano and Matured Gouda, bring out its richness, while sour berries highlight its fruity notes. For an Indian twist, the smoky and spiced flavors of paneer tikka and chicken tikka pair perfectly.
Bianco is a vermouth blending traditional botanicals with the exotic herbal sweetness of Davana. The result is a refreshing distinct Indian vermouth that is balanced with notes of citrus fruits, vanilla, and caramelized spices. Bianco is comparatively lighter than Rosso even though both the expressions have a primarily bittersweet taste.
Alcohol by volume (ABV): 15%
Price: INR 1100 (Goa); INR 1350 (Bengaluru)
Food Pairing: Davana Bianco stands out with its light and fresh flavors. For an ideal pairing, consider enjoying it with a tandoori seafood platter, which complements the herbal notes of the vermouth. Alternatively, Dahi Ke Kebab pairs well, creating a harmonious blend of floral and citrus flavors.
India is about to see the rise of its first homegrown vermouth in the form of Davana Vermouth Indica and we certainly can’t keep calm! With its affordable price, unique expressions, and a launch in two of India’s most progressive states when it comes to alcohol, Davana Vermouth is set for an unprecedented rise.
