This post may contain affiliate links. See my privacy policy for details.
The Gibson cocktail is a classic combination of gin and vermouth. It’s most complimented with a pickled onion, something we don’t see too often in cocktails.
The Origins of the Gibson Cocktail
The Gibson cocktail is a tough one to pin down history wise. The most common theory is that Charles Dana Gibson created it when he challenged a bartender to improve upon a standard martini, so the bartender used a pickled onion and named the drink after him. This cannot be confirmed of course but it certainly makes for a fun story regardless!
How to Make a Gibson Cocktail
To make a Gibson cocktail, you need a few simple ingredients. One of which is a pickled onion which should be found near the olives at your local grocery store. The Gibson can also be made with vodka as opposed to gin if you prefer.
Ingredients
- Gin
- Dry Vermouth (should be clearly labelled as such)
- A Pickled Onion
Directions
To get started making your Gibson, follow these simple steps:
- Place two to three ice cubes in a Boston shaker or equivalent cocktail shaker.
- Add two and a half ounces of gin.
- Add half an ounce of dry vermouth.
- Shake until the shaker is cold to the touch.
- Pour into a Martini glass and add a pickled onion as pictured.
These are great alternatives to the traditional martini. Here’s the recipe for the Dirty Martini. The original printing of this recipe was in a book from 1908 making this a cocktail that’s been around for quite some time. Try it and let me know what you think.
The Glassware
For this drink, you want to use a Martini glass but if you don’t have any available, you can also use a coupe such as the one pictured below. Since this is, however, a martini, it’s best to use that glass if available.
Some other great cocktails to try:
Gibson Cocktail
- Prep Time
- 5 minutes
- Total Time
- 5 minutes
- Course
- cocktails
- Cuisine
- American
- Servings
- 1
- Calories
- 187
- Author
- Karlynn Johnston
Ingredients
- 2 1/2 ounces gin
- 1/2 ounce dry vermouth (white)
- 1 pickled onion
Instructions
- Place 2-3 ice cubes in a Boston shaker or equivalent cocktail shaker.
- Add 2.5 ounces of gin.
- Add 1/2 an ounce of dry vermouth.
- Shake until the shaker is cold to the touch.
- Pour into a Martini glass and add a pickled onion as pictured.
Recipe Notes
Nutrition Information
All calories and info are based on a third party calculator and are only an estimate. Actual nutritional info will vary with brands used, your measuring methods, portion sizes and more.
Made this recipe?
Share a photo of what you made on Instagram or Facebook and tag me @thekitchenmagpie or hashtag it #thekitchenmagpie.
Please rate this recipe in the comments below to help out your fellow cooks!
Learn to cook like the Kitchen Magpie
A Very Prairie Christmas Bakebook
Vintage Baking to Celebrate the Festive Season!
Flapper Pie and a Blue Prairie Sky
A Modern Baker’s Guide to Old-Fashioned Desserts
The Prairie Table
Suppers, Potlucks & Socials: Crowd-Pleasing Recipes to Bring People Together
Pin This Recipe to Your Cocktails Board & Remember to Follow Me On Pinterest!
Sheila Martin says
I didn’t know there were different types of shakers!
Mike Johnston says
You bet! Boston ones are the stainless steel ones you see that look like two cups that you shake. Ive got a big collection of glass ones too! Lots of different types!