03/02/2024
My abridged view on a Gibson Martini:
Easily lost to history is a little known fact about Gibson's. During the hayday of the gin martini in the US a reverse ratio martini composed of 2 parts vermouth and 1 part gin became popular both on cost and the ability to consume multiple beverages while remaining less impaired. This variant however, looked no different in presentation and thus the cocktail onion found it's new home at the discretion of crafty cocktail waiters and waitresses of the time. This garnish distinction from the classic olive easily marked the standard martini and the reverse martini apart.
As is the case with time, all things change. High ratio vermouth drinks became extinct and somewhere in the muddle the Gibson Martini emerged from the ether as a simple Standard martini marked out only by the pickled cocktail onion in place of an olive or a lemon twist.
Bar guides from franchises like TGIFriday's to Big City Bars cited Gibson's as "vodka or gin martini with onion" and nothing more.
And so, with more time, comes more change. Enter the era of cocktail revival and redux. While the vermouth heavy ratio may never make a full comeback, the variables of the Gibson Martini certainly have.
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La Terra - Terra Redonda - The Gibby
This cocktail has held a few names though it is nothing more than a Modern Gibson Martini refined for the tastes and interests of the modern drinker.
Developed in an Italian program, refined in a Spanish program and a subsequent American Speakeasy, this cocktail encompasses the past and the present in 3 simple ingredients.
-GIN-
Frederick Maryland Gardner's Madeira Barrel Rested Forager Botanical Gin from Neutral Cane Spirits
-VERMOUTH-
Spanish Blanco Sweet Vermouth
-PICKLED ONION-
Strawberry Basil Rice Vinegar Pickled Pearl Onions developed initially with Chef John Melfi and refined with Chefs Joze Picazo and Eugene Perret.
Simply Put; Simple Ingredients are not relegated Simple Tastes.
