Gibson
A dry gin martini garnished with cocktail onions—clean, crisp, and subtly savory.
36%
ABV
177
Calories
Martini
Glass
Flavor Journey
Ingredients
Quality ingredients make all the difference. Each component plays a crucial role.
2.5 oz
0.5 oz
Method
Technique transforms ingredients into something extraordinary.
Add gin and dry vermouth to a mixing glass with ice
Stir until very cold and well diluted
Strain into a chilled martini glass
Garnish with 1–2 cocktail onions
Glassware
Served up in a chilled martini glass
Garnish
Skewer 1–2 pearl onions
Master's Tips
Professional insights to elevate your craft
Chill glassware and stir for clarity
Use fresh cocktail onions for a clean brine note
Keep onion brine cold to avoid cloudiness
Variations & Riffs
Classic cocktails inspire countless variations. Here are some popular riffs on the Gibson.
Dirty Gibson
A savory martini twist—gin and dry vermouth seasoned with cocktail onion brine and garnished with a pearl onion.
Rosemary Gibson
A modern aromatic twist on the classic Gibson, featuring gin, dry vermouth, and a fresh rosemary sprig that adds herbal complexity to the savory cocktail onion garnish.
Vodka Gibson
A study in elegant austerity, this cocktail strips the Martini to its barest essentials and pivots with a single, savory grace note—the distinctive umami of a pickled onion.
History & Heritage
“Several legends surround the Gibson: some credit illustrator Charles Dana Gibson, others banker Walter D. K. Gibson, who allegedly requested onions instead of olives at San Francisco's Bohemian Club around 1900. Whatever the origin, the onion garnish defined the drink as a savory cousin to the Martini.”
More to Explore
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50/50 Martini
Equal parts gin and dry vermouth with a dash of orange bitters—silky, aromatic, and lower proof.
Cardinale
A sophisticated Italian aperitivo featuring gin, dry vermouth, and Campari – a perfect balance of botanical complexity and bitter elegance.