A Spanish evening is not a rush from drink to dinner. It runs slowly through three glasses: a vermut before the meal, something sparkling or red with the little plates, and a long time at the table after that. You can copy the pattern at home with very little effort.

Glass one: the vermut

Red vermut (vermouth) is wine that has been fortified and flavoured with herbs and spices. In Spain, "la hora del vermut", the vermut hour, is a favourite habit before lunch or dinner, and some bars pour it straight from a tap.

  • Make it: fill a short glass with ice, pour in about 60 ml of red vermut, then add an orange slice and a green olive on a pick. A small splash of soda is optional.
  • Eat with it: olives, potato crisps, anchovies or salted almonds. Salt and a little bitterness go well together.

Glass two: cava or a young red with the tapas

Cava is Spain's sparkling wine, made like Champagne with a second fermentation in the bottle. Most of it comes from Catalonia. It is dry, bright and very good with salty food such as cured ham, almonds and olives. If you prefer red, choose a young, fresh one, such as a Garnacha or a young Rioja, and serve it slightly cool.

  • Serve it: cava well chilled, in a flute or a small white wine glass.
  • Eat with it: thin slices of cured ham, bread rubbed with ripe tomato (pan con tomate), a wedge of Manchego cheese and a bowl of olives.

Glass three: a small one to finish

Dinner in Spain often starts late, around nine or ten at night, and it does not end quickly. To finish, pour a small glass of sherry, or ask for a coffee. Nobody is in a hurry to leave the table.

How to run your own evening

  1. Start at dusk with the vermut and something salty.
  2. Bring out three or four small plates and pour the cava or the red.
  3. Take your time between plates. Finish with a small sherry or a coffee.

Keep the pace slow. The Spanish evening is less about what is in the glass than about how long you stay at the table.

General description of common drinking habits in Spain, which vary by region and family. Please drink responsibly.