Pickle Juice

The Pickleback — a shot of whiskey chased with cold pickle juice — went from Brooklyn dive bar oddity to nationwide phenomenon. But pickle juice has expanded beyond shots into proper cocktails. A Pickle Martini uses dill pickle brine the way a Dirty Martini uses olive brine, and it’s genuinely delicious. The salt and acidity make it a natural pairing with vodka, tequila, and bourbon. Use brine from quality dill pickles — Claussen or similar refrigerated brands. Some bartenders even make pickle-infused vodka by soaking spears in the bottle for a few days.

Last modified on October 15, 2026