6 New Picklebacks That Go Beyond the Brine
By Nikita Richardson. Photos courtesy of Etsy and Instagram.
Do you get physically ill at the mere thought of taking a shot? Same. But that was until I discovered picklebacks: a shot of whiskey and a chaser of savory-delicious pickle brine.
It’s a genius concept (reportedly invented in Brooklyn, New York) and one that deserves constant reinvention. Here are seven different takes on the idea—drink pairings that erase the bite of alcohol with a palate-cleansing chaser.
The Frida: Spotted at Frida’s Mexican Beach House in Lahaina, Hawaii
The Frida is a shot of Casamigos Blanco tequila chased with a shot of verdita (center), a juice lover’s concoction that includes pineapple, cilantro, mint, cucumber, and jalapeño. Think spicy, sweet, citrusy, and refreshing all in one.
The Aquavit Pickleback: Spotted at Townsend in Austin, Texas
Those in the know (you, now) can order this off-the-menu shot combination of aquavit (a Scandinavian vodka-like liquor made with caraway or dill) that’s followed with a shot of housemade pickle brine. Skål!
Herring Shot: Spotted at North Pole Pub in Park Slope, Brooklyn
The Poles who run this Brooklyn bar give a nod to their heritage with herring shots: a shot of vodka with a slice of pickled herring speared on a toothpick on the rim. After one too many of these, don’t be surprised if you wake up in Warsaw the next morning.
Gingerbacks: Spotted at Black Rabbit in Greenpoint, Brooklyn
Black Rabbit is locally famous for its gingerbacks, which involve chasing a shot of bourbon with a shot of fresh-squeezed ginger, simple syrup, and lemon. The ginger imparts a pleasant, if stinging burn. Highly recommended for anyone with poor judgement trying to get over a cold.
Raki and Şalgam Suyu: Spotted at ala Turca in Hollywood, Florida
What uzo is to the Greeks, raki is to the Turkish. This aniseed-flavored spirit is usually sipped slowly over long meals, but it can also be chased (or co-sipped)i with şalgam suyu, a complex elixir made of pickled red carrots, turnips, and spices, and fermented in wooden barrels.
The Tiger Back: Spotted at Lucky Luna in Brooklyn, NY
At this Brooklyn restaurant, which serves Mexican-and Taiwanese-inspired street food, locals are knocking back Tiger Backs, a shot of rye whiskey followed by their dumpling sauce.
Do you need a pickleback iron-on patch? Yeah you do. Buy it here.
This story originally appeared on Bon Appetit.
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