Olives or Onion?
 

Well, I'm having quite the argument tonight. We're having (more than a few) martinis, and there has arisen quite the debate about whether olives or onions are the appropriate choice.

Personally, I say onions, but it's whatever you like.

Thoughts?

Oh... and my martini of choice is gin (Bombay).

If it were vodka, I might say olives.

Gin with 3 olives, and they better be on one of those little swords dammit..

Up until a certain movie from the 1960's (shaken, not stirred) all martinis were gin, dry vermouth, and green olives.

Anything else may be a good drink, but it ain't a martini. ;)

Vodka and onions are right out.

Oh, and "apple-tinis" are fruity in more ways than one.

I understood that with olives it's a martini; with onions, it's a gimlet.

Tom

Ahhh... vermouth. The less, the better. To the point that none should be ideal, but is frowned upon.

I've found the ideal is to spritz/atomize a mist of vermouth into the glass, then fill with gin... that is pretty well the ideal dry martini.

both...I call it a Gibtini

Hendricks or Bombay Sapphire

Neither belong in a true Martini, why would you try to hide the Gin taste?


Oh...and a Gimlet is just Gin and lime juice, about 5:1, iced. In a tall glass.

Gin martinis only. Vodka martinis are for sissies.

I like my Martinis with no gin, vodka, olives or onions and only some chilled Patron straight up. :)

With an onion it's a Gibson...not a gimlet.

That's correct! It's been so long (30 yrs or so) that I've had either, I forgot. I did get the first two letters right, though.

Tom

Beefeater on the rocks and no vegetables! They take up space. Thank you!

Yeah, Tom...me too... Can't drink that stuff anymore... just hammers me. ;)

i voted olives.

i like hendricks. but my go to gin comes in the green bottle.

a martini is GIN right? you order a vodka martini to specify vodka..just ordering a martini should get you one built from GIN. i love a martini right before dozen raw oysters...

I like beer, thanks.

what he said. Except no Patron, but rather Sauza.

From the Bartenders Bible (of which I have two and I don't even care for hard alcohol)...

Gibson:
2.5 ounces gin
1.5 teaspoons dry vermouth
3 cocktail onions

Gimlet:
2 ounces gin
.5 ounce lime juice
1 lime wedge

There are a few variations on the gin martini...
Common:
2.5 ounces gin
1 teaspoon dry vermouth
1 lemon twist or 1 cocktail olive

Vodka:
Vodka Gimlet...
2 ounces vodka
.5 ounce lime juice
1 lime wedge

Martini...
2.5 ounces vodka
1.5 teaspoons dry vermouth
1 lemon twist or 1 cocktail olive

That's a good martini, too.

FWIW:
I haven't drank alcohol since 1982 (not even a sip). Back in the day, gin was my liquid libation of choice and Bombay was my fav (filtered and not just flavored like that trash Tanqueray that everyone raved about.

If you like gin, try a "Gin Buck" which is gin and ginger ale. I also seem to remember a fancy drink I liked with gin, champagne, and lemonade. Refreshing.

Back then it was not uncommon for me to drink a half quart of gin in a night drinking Gin Bucks with a shot of Gin as a chaser. I seem to recall the feeling like I needed to take a yard of cotton out of my mouth the next morning...

BTDT, when I got saved I didn't desire it anymore.