Despite being a critical element in a number of classic recipes, from the Martini to the Manhattan, vermouth is seldom considered as anything other than a modifier. But the fortified wine shines as an anchor for countless low-proof drinks; with its bittersweet botanical flavor, vermouth can hold its own in highballs, stirred drinks and even tiki-style serves. The choose-your-own-adventure of the Vermouth and Tonic may be the most well known (and easiest to construct) of vermouth-forward drinks, but more obscure takes, such as the Old Hickory, an equal-parts mixture of blanc and sweet vermouths, deserve a place in the cocktail canon, too. Here, explore vermouth in a leading role through nine easy-drinking cocktails.