What Makes A Gibson Different From A Typical Martini

If there was one drink that has reigned over recent drink trends, it just might be the martini. NorthJersey claimed the spotlight for espresso martinis, but dirty martinis also took center stage for many, according to Punch. And while Punch's industry professionals are divided as to whether or not they want to continue seeing brine-filled dirty martinis everywhere in the months ahead, there are still plenty of takes on the incredibly popular cocktail that probably won't be going anywhere. 

Per Liquor, the classic martini has a ton of different spins. From sweet to salty and every flavor in between, the martini can be manipulated to suit almost any cocktail lover's palate and preferences. Naturally, one of those variations is a Gibson. While you may already know that a dirty martini is served with olives as the garnish, Gibsons have a similar twist on the classic. But to fully understand the difference between both of the classic cocktails, it is important to know exactly what goes into making the perfect dry martini, which Liquor claims is the most classic version of the drink. 

According to Liquor, one of the most important ingredients in a classic, dry martini is gin. Unlike the vodka martini, a dry martini is made with five parts gin to one part dry vermouth. This ratio is a vital part of a classic martini because other versions of the drink can work off this combination by changing the ratio. After the two liquors have been mixed, a drop or two of orange bitters are added, and it is stirred or shaken until the cocktail is ice cold. Once the drink is cold enough, it is served with a lemon twist. 

While the dry martini is a relatively simple drink, the Gibson is even easier. According to The Spruce Eats, Gibson starts with the exact same ratio of gin to dry vermouth as a dry martini. For a single serving, that's 2 ½ ounces of gin to ½ ounces of dry vermouth. Once the base is combined, the drink is nearly finished. Gibsons do not have orange bitters, so you can stir or shake until the liquor is very cold. Another key difference is that Gibsons are not garnished with lemon peel. Instead, they are served with cocktail onions. So, the next time you want to change up your martini order, make sure you like cocktail onions before ordering a Gibson.