There are so many different Martini garnishes that exist in the world. The possibilities are truly endless. For some cocktails, garnishes are just added as the final touch to beautify the cocktail. However, when it comes to Martinis, the garnish that you choose can actually make a big impact on the flavor of the drink.
As a bartender, you have to be savvy when it comes to pairing the right Martini garnish to the the ingredients of the type of Martini you are making. You have the option to either play on the savory or citrusy side of Martinis.
This post talks all about the top 5 Martini garnishes that every bartender should have in there arsenal.
Lemon
Usually referred to as a lemon twist or lemon express, lemon is a key element to creating a more citrusy style Martini.
The oils that appear from the peel of a lemon wake up all of the drinker’s senses. When expressed, the aroma prepares the drinker with that citrusy experience as they go in for a taste. And because the oils lay on top of the cocktail, the lemon will be noticed when sipping because it plays well with all the others ingredients in a Martini.
I will say the use of lemon isn’t the only way to add that citrusy element. Play around with the use of an orange or even grapefruit express as well for a new twist (pun intended).
Olive
Olives are definitely the most recognizable of all the Martini garnishes. I would even argue that if you see an olive in a cocktail glass you automatically assume that the drink is a Martini.
Contrary to lemon, the use of olives tend to create a more savory style Martini.
Speaking from my own experience, the taste of olive causes me to salivate versus having a refreshing sensation that lemon or citrus tend to create.
Not only do olives create a concrete style of Martini but they are surely eye catching.
Blue cheese Olive
Blue cheese stuffed olives are another way to amp up the savory notes in your Martinis.
Along with the savory brine flavor from the olive, the blue cheese gives a tangy flavor that pairs well with the brine.
Other than bringing in those savory, tangy flavors, blue cheese olives are also a great snack when you’re done with your drink.
Pickle
Yes, you can use pickles and pickle brine in a Martini.
Obviously it’s going to have a different taste than olives, but I think it’s another really cool ingredient to have in your bartending arsenal if you ever have a customer asking for a unique style Martini.
It can even be fun experimenting with spicy pickles and the flavor that it may impose in a Martini.
Don’t rule this ingredient out when considering Martini garnishes!
Cocktail Onion
Cocktail onions are truly different than any other style of savory garnishes in a Martini.
Fun fact: There is a specific name for a Martini that has a cocktail onion as the garnish, and that’s call the Gibson Martini.
From first glance a cocktail onion can seem like a questionable venture to take when it comes to Martinis. I personally think it is a journey worth taking if you’re not afraid of taking chances because Gibson Martinis are authentically a world of flavor.