Cocktail onion

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A cocktail onion is usually a pearl onion pickled in a brine with small amounts of turmeric and paprika but in northern California cuisine in some haute bars there may use sliced red onion pickled in vinegar.

Generally, the onion retains a slightly crunchy texture through the brining process, which can add a different mouthfeel to the drinking experience. Since the cocktail onion is made from a sweet onion, it is unlikely to upset the digestion with a sulfurous or eye watering taste, although some cultures use more pungent onions as cocktail garnishes.[1]

[edit] Use as a Garnish

While not as widely used as more common garnishes such as olives or lemon twists, the cocktail onion is the signature garnish of the Gibson Martini, which consists of a standard Martini garnished with a cocktail onion instead of the standard olive.

Some other cocktails to include the cocktail onion:

Haiku Martini[2] (Sake, Dry Vermouth, Onion)
Patton Martini [3] (Gin, Vermouth, Olives, Olive Brine, Onion)
Yellow Rattler [4] (Gin, Sweet and Dry Vermouth, Orange Juice, Onion)