After two years of research and development, India has its own homegrown vermouth. And it is cleverly enhanced by a heady mix of local spices and fragrant botanicals.
Apparently, vermouth is one of the most versatile spirits in the bar, yet often found missing, ignored, or relegated to the back of a dusty shelf in most Indian cabinets. Maybe because it was either pegged as an expensive import or substitute varieties were found to be inconsistent in quality or taste.
Until now.
Davana Vermouth Indica, a pioneering addition to the Indian cocktail landscape, is here. Launched first in Goa in late 2024 and expanding to Bengaluru and Mumbai by mid-2025, Davana is the brainchild of Naveen Distillery, co-founded by Adarsh Gadvi along with Russian master distiller Evgenii Savvateev.
A peak bittersweet Indian vermouth made with Nashik wine and local botanicals.
And it bears the distinction of being India’s first fully homegrown vermouth. “Davana is more than just a new bottle on the shelf—it’s a statement of origin, innovation, and intent. What sets our vermouth apart is its uncompromising dedication to locality: Indian wine, Indian botanicals, Indian identity,” says Gadvi, explaining that, “At its base lies a Chenin Blanc wine sourced from Nashik, India’s premier wine-growing region. But it’s the infusion of 21–23 botanicals that gives Davana its distinct flavour profile. The star among them is Artemisia pallens—commonly known as davana, a herb native to southern India. Used in Ayurveda and perfumery, this aromatic plant lends the vermouth its name and its deeply floral, bittersweet signature.”
Vermouth, by definition, is a fortified wine flavoured with botanicals and typically enjoyed as an aperitif or in a cocktail. But creating one from scratch—especially in India, where the category had little precedent—was quite a challenge. Hence, Davana’s development involved over 50 meticulous recipe trials across two years.
The result? Two launch variants:
Davana Rosso: A deep ruby vermouth with notes of red berries, cloves, cinnamon, and the lingering herbal sweetness of davana. It is bold, bittersweet, and ideal in a Negroni or Manhattan—or just poured over ice with an orange twist.
Davana Bianco: A light, floral white vermouth with notes of citrus peel, chamomile, vanilla, and gentian root. Perfect in a spritz or a dry martini riff.
Both labels clock in at a moderate 15% ABV, making them perfect for sundowner sipping or behind-the-bar mixing.
“We envision Davana as a gateway into aperitivo culture—a slower, more deliberate way of drinking that prizes flavour over alcohol volume. Our team has worked with distillers, mixologists, and sensory experts across India and Europe to create something that could hold its own next to any international aperitif brand—yet feel unmistakably Indian. Especially now, when Indian consumers are exploring low-ABV and more craft-forward experiences, our offerings are perfectly timed and targeted towards a young, discerning audience,” says Gadvi.
Priced between ₹1,100–1,350 depending on the city, it is available in most liquor outlets.
Words by Jackie
