India’s ‘first’ vermouth Davana launches
Adarsh Gadvi spent two years creating Davana Vermouth Indica, which celebrates Indian ingredients.
The brand launched in October 2024 following more than 50 recipe trials. It is named after the Hindi word for ‘Indian wormwood’, the key botanical in vermouth, while ‘Indica’ pays homage to its Indian roots. Both of the brand’s expressions – Rosso and Bianco – are made using wine sourced from Nashik, the nation’s ‘wine capital’, and bottled at 15% ABV. Rosso features 23 botanicals, including sage, thyme and rosemary. It has aromas of ‘rich red berries like cherry and blackcurrant’, with ‘bittersweet notes and fruity flavours reminiscent of wild berry jam’ on the palate. Davana recommends serving Rosso with ‘bold, savoury flavours’ such as aged cheeses or sour berries, or for an Indian twist, with the smoky, spiced flavours of paneer or chicken tikka. Meanwhile, the Bianco has 21 extracts, such as yarrow, chamomile and orange blossom, offering a ‘balanced, aromatic profile with floral, fruity notes’. The brand pairs this expression with a tandoori seafood platter to complement its herbal notes. Davana is currently available in Goa for INR 1,100 (US$13). Vermouth is an essential ingredient in many of the world’s favourite cocktails – but could it be time for the category to take off in its own right?
