People Are Drinking Pickle-Flavored Cocktails Now

First with pizzas and cheese curds, pickles are now finding their way into beverages.

In the world of mixology, savory drinks are not the norm. Sure, there’s the classic tomato juice and olives, plus seasonings like worcestershire and hot sauce, but overall the list remains pretty limited. Well, that's about to change: Pickle juice as a cocktail and shot (known as the Pickleback shot) has been looming in the background for a few years, but lately these drinks are really starting to catch on. Even if you're a diehard pickle lover, mixing the juice with boozy beverages might be a bit ~jarring~ at first. Here's why the trend works, plus some ideas for giving it a go at home.

Related: Best Ever Dill Pickles

Why are people pairing pickle juice with alcohol?

It all started where cocktail trends often do: New York City. In 2006, the pickleback shot first gained a cult following thanks to Reggie Cunningham, a bartender at the Bushwick Country Club, a bar in Brooklyn's Williamsburg neighborhood. After a customer's odd request, Cunningham started serving a shot of bourbon or whiskey with a pickle brine chaser to create a downright delicious combination—the intensity of the pickle juice cuts straight through the burn of the hard liquor.

Fast forward to today, and products like The Original Pickle Shot, a pickle-infused vodka, are gaining traction. But what makes this salty combination so appealing?

There are many uniquely enticing qualities of pickle juice that are landing this ingredient in far more recipes than just cocktails. From marinades and dressings to soups and breads, culinary creators are having no trouble finding delicious applications for the juice often left behind after pickles have been devoured.

Related: 8 Dill Pickle Snacks and Dinner Ideas for True Pickle Lovers

This trend mostly speaks to dill pickle brine, as bread and butter pickle juice tends to be too sweet. Dill brine offers a savory, tangy, almost sour flavor that can be nearly as addicting as pickles themselves. Plus, if fermented pickles (like those from Cleveland Kitchen) are your jam, you’ll be getting the added bonus of a healthy dose of probiotics. Though harder to come by, fermented pickles (and their juice) are great for gut health. There’s an alluring upcycling angle here, too, as it’s never a good feeling to pour something so delicious, like pickle juice, down the drain.

On the alcohol front, pickle juice can be a smart mixer when avoiding (or nursing) a hangover. The salt found in this pungent liquid acts as an electrolyte that can help deliver water to your cells, helping to avoid some of the dehydrating effects of drinking.

That being said, when consumed in excessive amounts, salt can also act as a diuretic, dehydrating you even further, so the hydrating benefits of pickle juice are only really found with cocktail consumption in moderation. Also, if you love indulging in the hair of the dog the next morning, this potentially hydrating juice also pairs perfectly with some of the most classic brunch favorites.

Pickle juice also complements many types of alcohol—think vodka, gin, whiskey, and tequila—very nicely, making it a versatile mixer. That being said, there are a few alcohols to steer clear of when experimenting with this juice, like rum, super intense scotches, and sweet-flavored liquors, because their robust flavors tend to clash.

Related: The Pickle Craze Continues With Trader Joe's New Pickle Cheese Curds

Should you try it?

If you crave pickles on the regular or enjoy a crunchy spear alongside your lunchtime sandwich, this may very well be a trend you should check out.

The salty complexity of pickle juice pairs excellently with some of the most classic cocktails including the bloody Mary, dirty martini (just lose the olive juice), whisky sour, caesar, or even margarita. All of these options can be elevated even further if you opt for a spicy pickle juice.(Spicy pickle marg anyone?)

This briny juice also lends to simple yet tasty shots, like pickle and vodka or pickle and tequila. Putting chili powder, salt, or celery salt on the rim of the glass and chasing with a gherkin can take these to the next level.

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