In Barcelona, there’s one thing you can always count on during weekends: vermut. The tradition of vermut is one of those local habits that are part of the city’s soul.

  • When does it happen? Just before lunch, on weekends, between 12 and 2 p.m.
  • How? With a drink in hand, some tapas, and good conversation.
  • With whom? Friends, family, or even your classmates if you’re studying Spanish.

Having vermouth in Barcelona is a unique experience. And if you come to study here, it’s a cool (informal) way to blend in and practice the language.

The Origin and History of Vermouth

Did you know that vermouth has a history? This drink started as a medicinal remedy in Italy, made with wine, wormwood (a herb), and various spices. It arrived in Catalonia through Reus (Tarragona), where it became a classic. In Barcelona, it really became popular, especially in legendary spots like Café Torino.

Catalan vermouth is served with ice, an orange slice, and sometimes an olive (which might have an anchovy inside—so be careful if you don’t eat fish!). In the city’s vermuterías, people chat, laugh, and share.

Other parts of Spain like Madrid and Valencia also have vermut traditions, each with their own twist. In Madrid, it tends to be a bit drier and is served with banderillas (a tapa with ingredients like olives, pickles, and peppers on a toothpick). In Valencia, it’s often mixed with soda water.

Vermouth Today

Nowadays, having vermut is a great weekend plan. Not just for the drink, but for everything that comes with it: simple tapas like olives, mussels, or chips, and especially the long, relaxed moment after lunch when nobody is in a rush—the sobremesa.

Yes, in Barcelona people also enjoy that art of staying at the table, talking after the meal, not checking the time.

And what do people talk about? Everything: the taste of the vermouth, weekend plans, music, life, or even the best Spanish teachers at C2 Barcelona

For many students, this is the moment they break through, dare to speak without fear, and really start to enjoy the language.

And it’s not just conversation—you also learn: informal expressions, sayings, gestures, jokes… This is the language of sobremesa: more relaxed, spontaneous, and full of cultural and everyday references.

In our cultural activities, we’ve seen how this mix of vermouth, tapas, and conversation becomes one of the best experiences for Spanish learners. Because in the end, what brings more joy: the food… or the sobremesa?

Learning Spanish Through Vermouth

This kind of experience is perfect for learning Spanish through food, just like we saw in our paella workshop (link to article). It’s not just about eating or drinking—it’s about talking about what you’re trying, making plans, listening, and replying.

At a vermutada, you can practice expressions like:

  • ¿Qué te apetece?
  • ¡Está buenísimo!
  • ¿Nos pedimos otra ronda?
  • Pa’ arriba, pa’ abajo, pal’ centro y pa’ dentro (a fun toast).

It’s a great example of Spanish outside the classroom—where the language is lived naturally.

Studying a Language Also Means Living It

Learning a language also means experiencing it. And the vermouth tradition in Barcelona is one of those chances to connect directly with the city and its people.

Because in the end, learning Spanish through food is just as important as grammar.
It’s about speaking, laughing, and becoming part of the environment.

Are you in for the next vermouth outing?

Would you like to experience Spanish beyond the classroom?
At our school, learning also means sharing real moments—like having vermouth with your classmates.

Discover our cultural activities and start living Spanish in Barcelona. Learn Spanish While Having Vermut in Barcelona
Contact us today!