Southwell Cocktail Onions
Southwell Cocktail Onions are the Gibson martini's essential garnish in an 8 oz jar — crisp pickled cocktail onions from Southwell, the cocktail brand of Penna Family Farms, growing olives and produce in California's Sacramento Valley since 1951, packed for martinis that go savory instead of briny, available to order online at Del Mesa Liquor, San Diego, CA.
- Size: 8 oz jar — unanimous across retailers
- Style: pickled cocktail onions — crisp, savory garnish
- Origin: Southwell brand of Penna Family Farms, Sacramento Valley, California (since 1951)
- Use: the Gibson martini garnish; also Bloody Marys and savory cocktails
- Alcohol: none — garnish, not a spirit
The Gibson's Best Friend
Order a Gibson and you get a martini with a cocktail onion instead of an olive — a small change that completely reframes the drink, swapping brine for pickled bite. Southwell's onions are built for exactly that: crisp, savory, and sized for a cocktail pick, from the same Sacramento Valley family operation behind the brand's olives and mixers. They're also the sleeper garnish for a Bloody Mary, where the pickled sharpness cuts through tomato and spice. Round out the back bar with the full Southwell lineup — martini olives for classic serves, dirty martini mix for the brine.
Tasting Notes
Crisp and pickled — sharp vinegar brightness over sweet onion, savory rather than harsh. The bite is clean, not aggressive, which is what keeps a Gibson balanced.
How to Enjoy
Two or three on a pick in a gin Gibson — that's the canonical serve. Also works in a vodka Gibson, a Bloody Mary, or anywhere a martini wants savory crunch instead of an olive.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Gibson?
A martini garnished with a cocktail onion instead of an olive — same build, completely different savory character.
Are these pearl onions?
No source names the onion variety, so this draft doesn't claim one — they're sold simply as cocktail onions.
What size is the jar?
8 oz — consistent across Del Mesa and every retailer checked.
Do they contain alcohol?
No — they're a pickled cocktail garnish.
Gibson-ready, straight from the jar — order Southwell Cocktail Onions online from Del Mesa Liquor in San Diego, CA.