Classic Gibson Cocktail

The Gibson cocktail is a classic gin cocktail, sophisticated and simple: like a dry martini with an onion garnish!

Calling all martini lovers! Do you know the Gibson cocktail? This classic gin drink is basically a martini with an onion garnish. This change from the classic “lemon or olive” garnish brings in a salty element that makes it a whole new drink. The Gibson is crispy, cool, searing and edgy, punctuated by the savory onion filling. Move over, Classic Martini: There’s a new drink in town.

What’s in a Gibson cocktail?

The Gibson cocktail is essentially a dry martini with pickled onions instead of lemon or olive. Surprisingly, the garnish change makes it a very different drink! As with many cocktails, the Gibson’s history is somewhat murky. Most Reliable Story: Believed to have been invented around 1898 by businessman Walter DK Gibson. Apparently he thought eating onions would keep colds at bay, so he added this unique topping.

The dry martini is on the International Bartender Association’s list of official IBA cocktails, meaning it has an official definition. The Gibson simply adds a pickled cocktail onion! Here are the ingredients of a Gibson cocktail:

• gin
• Dry vermouth
• Cocktail Onion

The gin for a Gibson

Because the Gibson cocktail is so simple: Use the best gin you can find. There is only a hint of dry vermouth: the ratio is 6 parts gin to 1 part dry vermouth. So this cocktail is all about the gin! Regarding the brand of gin to use in a Gibson, here are a few notes:

• Each bottle of gin tastes a little different and has different botanical aromas. Experiment to find your favorite!
• We love Malfy Gin for a martini, so it’s our pick for a Gibson.
• Avoid Tanqueray Gin: In our opinion, it gives the martini a strong floral quality. It is best used in a gin and tonic or a negroni.

How to make a Gibson (shaken not shaken)

Just like the dry martini A Gibson cocktail should be stirred, not shaken. All bartenders know this rule: if a drink contains only alcohol, it should be stirred with ice. Here’s why:

• Shaking in a shaker dilutes the drink with melting ice. This technique is mainly used for sour cocktails.
• What to use for stirring? A Cocktail glass and a long bar spoon. If you don’t have one, you can use your shaker, tall glass or metal mug, and any long spoon you like. But if you want to look like you know your cocktails, use a mixing glass! Here is a cocktail glass that we recommend.

Learn more about dry vermouth

What is vermouth? Vermouth is a fortified wine, which means that alcohol has been added to the wine to make it last longer. There are two main types of vermouth: sweet wormwood (usually red) and dry wormwood (usually white).

• Dry white vermouth is what you will use in a Gibson. The taste of dry white vermouth is crisp and clear: on its own it tastes like a very dry white wine. Dry vermouth is also used in drinks like the Classic Martini and the Dirty Martini.
• Sweet red vermouth is something else entirely: It’s used in drinks like Manhattan, Negroni, and Americano.

Vermouth is easy to find in liquor stores and grocery stores. Be sure to keep the vermouth in the fridge: it will keep for about 3 months.

Beverages related to the Gibson cocktail

There are several drinks that are similar to the Gibson… try them all!

• Classic Martini The only difference is the garnish!
• Dirty Martini Serve it “dirty” with olive juice and it will round off the sip with a brackish taste.
• Vesper Martini Invented by James Bond, it has become a real classic! Crunchy and herbaceous, it includes Lillet Blanc with gin and vodka.
• Martinez The father of the martini! This gin drink is like a cross between a martini and a Manhattan, with gin, sweet red vermouth and maraschino liqueur.

When to serve a Gibson

This Gibson is sophisticated, dry and flavorful. It’s great like:

• appetizer or appetizer
• Drink at dinner
• Late night drink