Gibson
/
logo

Make Me A Cocktail

Gibson
Cocktail recipe

Rating

4.27 / 5
The Gibson is a classic cocktail that has been enjoyed for over a century and is known for its simple yet sophisticated taste. This drink originated in the early 20th ... more The Gibson is a classic cocktail that has been enjoyed for over a century and is known for its simple yet sophisticated taste. This drink originated in the early 20th century as a variation of the traditional Martini, with the added touch of a pickled onion as a garnish. Made with gin and a small amount of white vermouth, the Gibson has a clean and crisp flavor profile with hints of dryness and a subtle sweetness. The choice of garnish, a tangy pickled onion, adds a unique and savory element to the cocktail. Often served in a stemmed glass, the Gibson exudes an air of elegance and refinement, making it a popular choice for both casual and formal occasions. Whether enjoyed as an aperitif or a nightcap, the Gibson is a classic cocktail that continues to delight taste buds and stand the test of time.
Check out all our FAQ's on this cocktail

Microbadges

Cocktail Of The Day
Invented
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1908
Base ingredient
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Gin
Garnish
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Pickled onion
Alcohol content
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
36.57% | 2.56 units *
Details
. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
Classic
Stirred

Cocktail glass

Ingredients

oz
ml
cl
Gin cocktail ingredient
Gin
60ml 2oz 6cl
White vermouth cocktail ingredient
White vermouth
10ml ⅓oz 1cl

Cocktail Colin says:

4/5

The Gibson stands as a testament to the elegance of simplicity, marrying a robust 60ml of gin with a delicate 10ml of white vermouth to achieve a crisp and refined flavor that captivates the palate. The pickled onion garnish introduces a surprising twist of savory zest, perfectly balancing the dryness of the drink and enhancing its sophisticated profile, making it a perennial favorite for those who appreciate a classic with a distinct edge.

Method
How to make a Gibson

Serves 1 · Takes 3 minutes
Start by chilling a cocktail glass so its nice and cold when served
Then add the gin and vermouth together with 5-6 ice cubes to a mixing glass and stir well
Strain into the chilled glass
Garnish with a pickled onion and serve

Learn more about some of the mixology terms used in this cocktail

·  Stir  ·  Strain  ·  Garnish  · 

Your private tasting notes

~ Register as a user to create tasting notes, save your bar and more ~

Can you make this?

Add the ingredients you have at home to your My Bar and we'll show you what cocktails you can make. Start off by adding the ingredients you have for this cocktail using the plus icons.

Comments

No comments yet…

You need to be a user with a verified email to comment on cocktails. Login / register

Featured in

  • Mad Men Cocktails

Mad Men - the American drama based on a Manhattan advertising agency set in the 1960's, is chock fill of...

Go to collection

FAQ's

ORIGINS_HISTORY

What is the origin of the Gibson cocktail?

The Gibson cocktail's origins are somewhat disputed, but it is generally believed to have been created in the United States in the late 19th or early 20th century. One popular story credits it to a San Francisco businessman named Walter D. K. Gibson, who believed that eating onions improved his health, leading to the unique garnish choice.

CUSTOMIZATION_IDEAS

What makes the Gibson cocktail unique compared to a classic Martini?

The Gibson distinguishes itself from a classic Martini mainly through its garnish. While a Martini is typically garnished with an olive or a lemon twist, the Gibson is garnished with a pickled onion. This small but significant difference gives it a unique flavor profile and visual identity.

FAQ

Can I use any type of vermouth for a Gibson?

While the classic Gibson recipe calls for white vermouth, the choice between dry and sweet white vermouth can alter the drink's flavor profile. Dry vermouth is traditionally used for a more crisp and less sweet taste, aligning with the classic Gibson profile.

FAQ

Is there a specific type of gin recommended for a Gibson?

The Gibson is versatile when it comes to gin selection, but a high-quality London Dry Gin is often recommended for its clean, crisp botanicals that pair well with the dry vermouth and the sharpness of the pickled onion garnish, creating a balanced and refined cocktail.

GARNISHING_TIPS

How do I properly garnish a Gibson cocktail?

To garnish a Gibson cocktail correctly, you should skewer one or two cocktail onions on a cocktail pick. After stirring the gin and vermouth and straining it into your cocktail glass, simply place the skewered onion in the drink. The garnish is not only decorative but also adds a slight savory flavor to the cocktail.

Upgrade your mixology

Become a member for free taking your cocktail making skills up to level 11.

  • Save your bar forever
  • Access to our Cocktail Creator, allowing you to create your own wonderful concoctions.
  • Save cocktails to personalised 'Tried' and 'Want to try' lists
  • Create and record tasting notes on cocktails
  • Create lists of cocktails to share with friends and family
  • A pesonalised MyBar URL, allowing you to share everything you can make with friends
  • And much more ... (what to buy next, measurement choices, search personalisation...)
Register now

You might also like

Long Island Iced Tea

Classic

The Long Island Ice Tea is a classic cocktail characterized by its deceptive potency and refreshing taste, despite a hefty...

Monkey Gland

The Monkey Gland is a classic cocktail that harks back to the Roaring Twenties. It's a vibrant mix, notably combining...

Lavender French 75

The Lavender French 75 is a fragrant twist on the classic French 75 cocktail, renowned for its sophisticated blend of...

The Perfect Martini

The Perfect Martini is a sophisticated twist on the classic martini that balances the botanical notes of gin with the...
* US units estimated based on the standard alcohol content of the ingredients used and the proportions in the recipe. Please drink responsibly.
build your bar

Create a cocktail

Choose a theme and some ingredients, give us some description and we'll create an amazing cocktail for you.

Register as a Premium Make Me A Cocktail community member and get access to an even more powerful creator.

Start creating