From Sparrow’s amaro and vermouth list, Punt e Mes is a bittersweet Italian vermouth that straddles the line between an aperitivo wine and an amaro, $10 by the pour, or $15 for a larger pour, here in Kirkland.
About Punt e Mes
Punt e Mes comes from Carpano in Turin, the Italian house credited with launching the first commercial vermouth back in the 18th century. The name dates to 1870 and means a point and a half in Piedmontese dialect, a nod to a Turin stock-exchange story in which a trader called for a vermouth with an extra measure of bitterness. The result is a wine-based vermouth built on a blend of botanicals, including orange peel and quinine, that gives it that signature citrus-meets-bitter character. Carpano has been a defining name in Turin vermouth for more than two centuries, and Punt e Mes remains one of its most recognizable bottles.
Tasting Notes
Punt e Mes is rich and unmistakably bittersweet. Look for dark fruit and orange peel up front, then a firm, quinine-driven bitterness on the finish that sets it apart from softer sweet vermouths. It has real depth for a low-proof pour, which is exactly why it works so well both on its own and stirred into a cocktail.
What to Pair It With
This is a classic aperitivo. Serve it chilled over ice with an orange twist before dinner, or stir it into a cocktail in our 21+ lounge. It pairs nicely with shareables from the Sparrow menu such as the Truffle Deviled Eggs, the Burrata Avocado, or Tuna Tartare. Catch it during our daily happy hour from 3 to 5 PM.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Punt e Mes?
Punt e Mes is a bittersweet Italian vermouth from Carpano in Turin, made with botanicals including orange peel and quinine. Its name means a point and a half in Piedmontese dialect and dates to 1870.
How much is a pour of Punt e Mes at Sparrow in Kirkland?
Punt e Mes is $10 by the pour, or $15 for a larger pour, at Sparrow in Kirkland.
Find it on the Sparrow beverages menu near the Lillet. We are in Kirkland’s Juanita neighborhood on the Eastside, so reserve a table and start with one.