Where to have vermouth in Santa Cruz?

The custom of the vermouth is not that it is the most santacrucero of the world, at least it has not been traditionally compared to other parts of Spain. Here, in its consumption, one can perceive a certain attraction for a ritual, the rise of a sure fashion fueled by social networks and, above all, the seduction of a drink with a very characteristic flavor.

Because whoever tastes a vermouth or hates it stays forever. Today vermouth is not only the drink composed mainly of wine and absinthe, the word vermouth already envelops and serves as a definition of a time of day, those hours just before lunch, and a social event that is precisely to go out to take that appetizer to help whet the appetite.

The origin of what today we call vermouth could be in a concoction prepared by the ancient Greeks to mix with medicinal herbs to improve their flavor. Well, it could be. But most theories point to an Italian city: Turin; and a century: the 18th century, with the exact place and time when a drink with a flavor and ingredients that were clearly predecessors of today’s vermouth began to be consumed.

But we still haven’t answered the initial question: where to have a vermouth in Santa Cruz? Well, a more than recommendable place to jump headlong into the tradition/fashion of having an aperitif based on vermouth and some snacks is Ópera Vermutería. This place is located on Imeldo Serís street, on one of the margins of the streetcar tracks, coinciding with the lower corner of the Urban hotel. Ópera Vermutería offers about thirty -if not more- different vermouth references, including caña. Red or white, neat or mixed, with or without ice… It all depends on taste and, as has happened with gin itself in recent years, innovation is always in demand.

Croquettes, a plate of ham or a tapa of potato omelette are just three of the many options to accompany the vermouth of your choice. And speaking of choosing, how about some recommendations? If you have to try vermouth options, here we are going to bet on kilometer 0, proximity products found in the province of Las Palmas, with Vermouth Primo de Lanzarote. They boast of being the first in the Canary Islands and, in addition, of being made with Malvasia wine from the island of volcanoes. Almost nothing. And another local option is the vermouth of Brumas de Ayosa, from the valley of Güímar, in Tenerife. This winery obtains its vermouth from a selection of wines carefully macerated with Artemisia canariensis, an aromatic plant used in popular Canarian culture for its digestive and therapeutic properties.

In addition, Ópera Vermutería offers the possibility of enjoying its menu and its vermouth catalog at street level or also in one of the trendiest terraces in Santa Cruz, Urban 180, located in the same building. So? Shall we drink that vermouth?