Port

Port wine comes from Portugal’s Douro Valley and it’s been quietly making cocktails better since the 1800s. A ruby port adds berry-rich sweetness to drinks like the Coffee Cocktail (no actual coffee — look it up). Tawny port, with its nutty caramel notes, works in stirred drinks where you’d normally reach for sweet vermouth. Try splitting your vermouth with port in a Manhattan for something deeper. At 20% ABV, it won’t overpower a drink but adds real complexity. Taylor’s and Graham’s are solid picks that won’t break the bank.

Last modified on September 24, 2026