Martha Stewart Vodka Gibson Cocktail

Martha Stewart Vodka Gibson Cocktail, easy and quick, swaps gin for vodka stirred with dry vermouth and pickled cocktail onions. Three ingredients, 5 minutes, and a chilled martini glass turn this into a crisp make ahead drink for a dinner party or holiday happy hour.

Batch this vodka martini variation for a crowd: combine vodka and vermouth with water, then freeze up to a day. A chilled glass and 15 to 30 seconds of stirring, not shaking, keeps the drink crystal clear and ice cold.

Martha Stewart Vodka Gibson Cocktail

0.0 from 0 votes

Course: BeverageCuisine: AmericanDifficulty: Easy

Servings

1

servings

Prep time

5

minutes

Cooking timeminutes

Calories

300

kcal

Crystal clear, ice cold, and savory from the pickled onion brine, this stirred vodka Gibson goes down smooth with a clean, dry finish.

Ingredients

• 4 ounces vodka
  

• 1 ounce vermouth
  

• Ice
  

• Cocktail onions, for garnish
  

Directions

• Mix vodka and vermouth: Combine vodka and vermouth in a mixing glass over ice and stir until well chilled.
• Strain the cocktail: Strain into a chilled martini glass.
• Garnish and serve: Garnish with cocktail onions.

Tools for this recipe

• OXO steel double jigger, OXO Steel cocktail shaker. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

FAQs

What vodka is best for a Gibson cocktail?

Grain, grape, or potato vodka all work here, so pick a smooth 80 proof bottle you would sip on its own. Tito’s, Ketel One, and Belvedere are solid choices in the $20 to $30 range. With only 3 ingredients, any harshness in a cheaper bottle will come through clearly.

Can you make Gibson cocktails ahead for a party?

Multiply the vodka and vermouth by the number of servings and add 1 ounce of water per drink to replace the dilution from stirring. Pour the batch into a freezer safe bottle and freeze for at least 6 hours, up to 1 day. When guests arrive, pour into chilled glasses and drop in the onions.

Should you stir or shake a Gibson cocktail?

Stir for 15 to 30 seconds over ice, because stirring gives you control over dilution and keeps the drink crystal clear. Shaking agitates the ice too much, which can leave tiny shards in the glass and make the cocktail cloudy. If you want a more mellow, less boozy drink, shake for about 10 seconds instead.

How do you chill a martini glass without a freezer?

Fill the glass with ice water and let it sit for 2 to 3 minutes while you stir the cocktail. Dump the water right before you strain, because a warm glass takes the chill off in seconds. This works just as well as the freezer method and is faster for a group.

Where do you find pickled cocktail onions?

Check the pickle aisle or the cocktail garnish section at any grocery store. You can also simmer pearl onions in white vinegar, sugar, and dry vermouth, then refrigerate for 24 hours. Homemade onions have a sharper flavor and last about 2 weeks in the fridge.